Silverstein formed in Ontario, Canada, in 2000 as a side project for vocalist
Shane Told, guitarist
Josh Bradford, drummer
Paul Koehler, guitarist
Richard McWalter, and bassist
Bill Hamilton. But after diving into the thriving Ontario hardcore/emo scene, which also included bands like
Moneen and
Grade,
Silverstein soon found an audience for their particular brand of shimmering, hot-blooded post-hardcore. Their 2000 self-released EP Summer's Stellar Gaze was quite well received, and soon
Silverstein became the full-time project of its members. After a lineup change that saw
McWalter being replaced by ex-
Maharahj guitar player
Neil Boshart, the band began to tour the eastern provinces of Canada in earnest.
They next released a second EP in April 2002 entitled When the Shadows Beam. The record sparked the interest of Victory Records honcho
Tony Brummel, who signed the group to his respected Chicago imprint in October of that same year.
When Broken Is Easily Fixed,
Silverstein's full-length Victory debut, appeared in May 2003; a re-release of the album was issued a year later with bonus tracks and a DVD. As
Silverstein spent summer 2005 playing on the Warped Tour, their follow-up,
Discovering the Waterfront, came out that August.
Silverstein also appeared on the 2006 Take Action Tour alongside
Matchbook Romance,
Chidos,
the Early November, and more.
18 Candles: The Early Years appeared in May; the 18-track compilation album included reissues of the band's first two independently released EPs alongside several live and acoustic tracks, extensive liner notes, and rare band photos. Victory then issued a special edition of
Discovering the Waterfront in fall 2006 with a bonus live DVD, new artwork, and an additional track.
After coming off tour,
Silverstein started work with producer
Mark Trombino, who had previously worked with
Jimmy Eat World and
blink-182. The title of the record,
Arrivals & Departures, pertained to the maintenance of personal relationships while on the road, and involved more emotionally charged lyrics, inspired by the end of
Told's seven-year relationship just before returning to the studio. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide