Formed in Seattle, Washington, the eyeliner-friendly post-hardcore outfit On the Last Day coalesced around drummer Drew Dowell plus siblings Aaron on bass and Justin Johnson on guitar. While still attending high school, the trio had already performed together in another group when their vocalist departed around the same time Geoffrey Walker arrived from Vermont. The musicians first connected in 2003, and after only two rehearsals the lineup of On the Last Day was formally established; guitarist Frank Gross completed the roster the following year. The band performed throughout Seattle’s club circuit whenever possible, occasionally landing shows alongside acts such as Atreyu and the Deftones, yet most shared bills occurred with their friends in Aiden. Aiden joined Victory Records near the end of 2004, and On the Last Day secured the same label in March 2006. After issuing the EP Wars Like Whispers the previous August, the group delivered its Victory debut, Meaning in the Static, during late summer 2006.
