Following the Descendents' summer 1986 tour in support of their third album, "Enjoy!", guitarist Ray Cooper and bassist Doug Carrion left the band. Seeking a new bassist, drummer Bill Stevenson contacted a musician he knew in Boise, Idaho. The musician declined but suggested Salt Lake City native Karl Alvarez, whose band the Bad Yodelers was staying with him at the time while on tour. Stevenson had met Alvarez in 1984 while touring with Black Flag, and invited him to try out with the Descendents. Packing all his belongings in a garbage bag, Alvarez took a train from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and began rehearsing with Stevenson. According to singer Milo Aukerman, Alvarez and Stevenson "just locked in completely." "I think Billy and I had a certain connection," recalled Alvarez, "but I can't help but think 'Well, yeah, because I practiced bass to his records.