Originally from Auburn, AL,
Hot Rod Circuit comprised
Andy Jackson (vocal, rhythm guitar),
Casey Prestwood (lead guitar, vocals),
Jay Russel (bass, vocals), and
Wes Cross (drums), and could be compared to other post-grunge emo rock bands such as
Jawbox and
the Get Up Kids. In their earlier days,
Hot Rod Circuit was known as
Antidote, under which name they released the album
Mr. Glenbowski. The album earned the group a 1998 Best Unsigned Band Award from Musician magazine. Shortly after the award, they named themselves
Hot Rod Circuit, and with the change in name came a change in scenery, as the band relocated to Connecticut. There they released their debut album, 1999's
If I Knew Now What I Knew Then, through New York-based Triple Crown under their new moniker. To promote the album the group toured with
the Get Up Kids,
Jazz June, and
At the Drive-In before following up with
If It's Cool with You It's Cool with Me in fall 2000. In spring 2002,
Hot Rod Circuit released
Sorry About Tomorrow, their first for Vagrant, while that fall Triple Crown issued
Been There, Smoked That, a compilation of sorts that contained an out of print self-titled EP from 1999 along with other previously unreleased early material. Tours with acts like
Dashboard Confessional and
Saves the Day supported their records on the road, as the guys began writing new material inspired by the college rock they grew up on, like
the Pixies,
Dinosaur Jr., and
the Lemonheads. Their resulting more matured Vagrant follow-up,
Reality's Coming Through, was produced by
Tim O'Heir and surfaced in August 2004. Tour dates with
Straylight Run,
Piebald, and
the Snake the Cross the Crown followed, along with a spot on 2005's Bamboozle Festival.
Russel exited the band that June, forcing the guys to drop off
the Get Up Kids' farewell tour. By fall 2006,
Hot Rod Circuit had found a new label home at Immortal Records and released
The Underground Is a Dying Breed in March 2007. By then, the quartet comprised
Jackson and
Prestwood alongside bassist
Joe Balaro and drummer
Dan Duggins. ~ Diana Potts, All Music Guide