Greensboro, North Carolina outfit House of Fools began as a side venture for Josh King, frontman of the Necessary, after he started composing material alongside keyboardist Matt Bowers. Although the Necessary enjoyed strong local support, King’s attention gradually shifted toward the new project, prompting him to enlist former bandmates bassist Jeff Linn along with guitarists Joel Kiser and David McLaughlin. Drummer Phil Bell completed the lineup, forming a six-piece ensemble. Teaming with producer Walt Vincent, whose credits include Pete Yorn and the Format, the group tracked a self-titled EP that Drive-Thru Records issued in October 2006. Performances alongside Steel Train, Virginia Coalition, and Daphne Loves Derby paved the way for the full-length Live and Learn, which surfaced in early March 2007 and displayed a bright pop sensibility shaped by the Beatles and Tom Petty.
