Motor City natives Mark Owen, Chad Stocker, Josh Malerman, and Derek Berk comprise the founding lineup of the High Strung, whose music borrows equally from melodic power-pop and psychedelic garage rock. Although formed during the summer of 2000, the group's legacy stretches back to elementary school, when the latter three members became best friends at the age of 11. Once they'd entered college, the High Strung began playing shows in the Midwest while concentrating on material for a proper album. A series of EPs and the self-released LP As Is came and went, as did the High Strung's attachment to Detroit. Heading east, the boys settled in the booming musical enclave of Williamsburg, NY, just as they were slated to cut an album for Tee Pee Records.