The Deadlines were founded in 1998 by singer and guitarist, Shaun Sundholm and drummer, Jeremy Abbott. Formerly known as The Oblivious Kids, The Chosen Few, and The Pinheads, the band had played together as early as 1996. Jared Beddingfield joined the band as bass guitarist for only two shows. Brian Jones later joined as bass player. The band recorded a four-song demo cassette and played a handful of shows. It was in 1998, the band began taking on a darker, horror-punk rock sound akin to Murder City Devils, The Damned or The Misfits. With the new sound the band changed their name to The Deadlines.