Forming in the suburbs of Minnesota,
Mainstay originally started out as a punk trio in the garages of its members. It wasn't until college in Minneapolis that the group -- vocalist and guitarist
Justin Anderson, drummer
Ryan DeYounge, and bassist
Dan Ostebo -- sharpened its style into its current brand of melodic rock with a Christian message. With a more focused direction, the guys started to build a fan base around town with a self-released EP before signing with the management firm Smallman Music Group. This (coupled with some hyping by members of Kutless) eventually led to a partnership between BEC Recordings and Tooth and Nail for their February 2006 full-length debut,
Well Meaning Fiction, produced by
Aaron Sprinkle (
Pedro the Lion,
Acceptance) and
Zach Hodges. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide