Punky, poppy kids from Fairfax, VA,
Driving East formed in 2003. After numerous lineup changes, the band solidified around lead singer
Barrett Mullins, guitarists
Jeff Streicher and
Nate Taylor, bassist
Aaron Hubbard (a southern California transplant who, unusually for a pop-punk band, favors an acoustic standup bass), and drummer
Jon Jester.
Driving East released their debut EP,
A Black Eye or a Broken Heart, in 2005 on the small indie Brand Name Records. The unabashedly commercial EP, produced by
Panic! at the Disco's sonic mastermind,
Matt Squire, garnered enough attention to get the young band a showcase spot on the Vans Warped Tour. After another lineup change, which saw
Streicher replaced by
Justin Horenstein,
Driving East signed to The Militia Group and began recording their full-length debut. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide