After playing an influential role in inspiring the later formation of other Omaha bands like Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Desaparecidos with their energetic live shows and recordings,[1][2] Slowdown Virginia broke up in the spring of 1995.
[3] Slowdown Virginia evolved from a five-piece cover band called The March Hares, composed of high school friends Jim Robino, Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steven Pedersen, and Casey Caniglia.
[5] With a sound described as a "heartland Pavement"[1] or emo in the style of Rites of Spring or Minor Threat,[5] the band started by recording a five-song cassette demo as cheaply as they could to have something to hand out or sell at live shows.
Slowdown Virginia had a lasting influence on the music of Omaha, specifically the success and enthusiasm around the live shows and releasing Dead Space locally in inspiring bands that would become the nucleus of Saddle Creek Records.
[7][2] Conor Oberst of Commander Venus, Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos specifically cites Slowdown Virginia as an influence for going on to make music; Todd Fink and Clark Baechle from The Faint express similar inspiration.
[1][5] The influence of the band's music and live shows played a role in decision to name Saddle Creek's mixed-entertainment complex in Omaha's Near North Side Slowdown in their honor.