The original members of the band attended Sultana High School in Hesperia, California, and in ninth grade, Brandon Lanier started telling Droo Hastings that he was a great drummer and that they should start a band with him and his friend Justin Bonhiver. Initially, the band was a trio with Hastings as lead singer and bass guitar, Lanier playing drums, and Bonhiver on guitar. The band posted an audition for a lead singer on MP3.com. Kevin Truckenmiller entered the band after submitting his solo work, including an early incarnation of the song "I Go Both Ways", which was named after their friend, Jennings Lane. Matt Kirby began attending Saint John's University with Truckenmiller. The group eventually joined together and formed in 2002 under the name "Sneaker 2 Bombs," a hard rock band which reflected the evolving Minneapolis local music scene.