Driving East

Formed in 2003, the Fairfax, Virginia pop-punk outfit Driving East began as a group of energetic, melody-driven teenagers. Following a series of personnel shifts, the core lineup stabilized with Barrett Mullins handling lead vocals, guitarists Jeff Streicher and Nate Taylor, Aaron Hubbard on bass—a southern California transplant who, atypically for the genre, plays an acoustic standup instrument—and Jon Jester behind the drums. In 2005 the band issued its first EP, A Black Eye or a Broken Heart, through the modest independent imprint Brand Name Records. Produced by Matt Squire, whom the text identifies as Panic! at the Disco’s sonic mastermind, the openly commercial recording drew sufficient notice to secure the group a showcase slot on the Vans Warped Tour. After Streicher departed and Justin Horenstein took his place, Driving East inked a deal with The Militia Group and commenced work on its first full-length album.