Greeley Estates was formed by Ryan Zimmerman, Brandon Hackenson, Dallas Smith, Jared Wallace and Mike Coburn. The band name is derived from a sign in Greeley, Colorado that read "Greeley Estates" that Zimmerman and Hackenson saw on the way from Chicago to Phoenix. Mike Coburn left the band shortly before they started touring at the end of 2003. After a few substitute drummers, Brian Champ soon became the main drummer for Greeley Estates. They went through a few bass players who all left before they began touring the US. Jared Wallace was then replaced by Josh Applebach.