Detroit's Pas/Cal came together during November 2000 as Gene Corduroy on lead guitar, Casimer Pascal handling rhythm guitar and vocals, and Little Tommy Daniels on drums joined forces to compose "The Cigarette Blouse Rebellion." From that initial writing effort sprang a steady stream of further sessions, allowing the ensemble's casually refined pop approach to emerge with speed. Nathaniel Burgundy came aboard on bass in February 2002, after which the group promptly inked a deal with the international pop imprint Le Grand Magistery Records. Later that November the label issued the band's first EP, titled The Handbag Memoirs. Pas/Cal quickly earned a reputation for vivid stage performances that featured keyboardist Richard Panic alongside vocalist and organist Bem. Closing out 2002 were the group's contributions to both the Darla Records release A Gift from a Garden to a Flower: A Tribute to Donovan and Le Grand Magistery's Metamorphosis anthology. Appearances followed in early 2003 on Startime International Records' Supercuts compilation as well as Couture Records' Lightning, the soundtrack accompanying As Daylight Breaks. In 2004 the band resurfaced with the Oh Honey, We're Ridiculous EP while simultaneously shaping songs destined for the 2006 Dear Sir EP, which drew widespread critical praise. Nearly all of 2007 found Pas/Cal holed up in the studio to complete their debut full-length album, I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura, issued the following year once more via Le Grand Magistery.
