The band was formed by Alex Band (lead vocals) and Aaron Kamin (lead guitar, backing vocals) when Kamin was dating Band's sister. Kamin and Band initially began jamming and writing songs in 1996, and began performing under the band name "Generation Gap" with a drummer who was twice their age. The band also included saxophonist Benny Golbin, giving the songs a more jazzy sound like the Dave Matthews Band. Eventually, Band and Kamin ditched the "Gap" lineup, and briefly switched their name to "Next Door"..