The band formed out of boredom in 1996 in Guelph, Canada, simply known as Flashlight (up until 2001). From 1996 to 2001, the band toured across Canada in a van and released three albums under Stomp/Union 2112 Records: :flashlight., Running Season, and Flashlight Brown. During a 2002 tour, the band was noticed by Rob Cavallo, known for producing Green Day’s albums, and he helped produce the band’s My Degeneration, released in 2003 under Hollywood Records. This success, as well as with the single “Ready To Roll”, led the band to start touring North America, opening for acts like The All-American Rejects and Sum 41. The record deal ended in 2006, and shortly afterward, the band released their last effort, Blue.