Social Code

Social Code emerged in 1999 when high-school classmates Travis Nesbitt, who handled vocals, and Logan Jacobs, who played bass, formed a Canadian alternative rock outfit that first performed under the name Fifth Season. They delivered Patiently Waiting in 2001, yet soon switched to their current name upon discovering that an established overseas act already used the original one. A development agreement with Columbia Records collapsed, but the group secured a contract with Interscope near the end of 2003. Their first proper full-length, A Year at the Movies, arrived in May 2004. The ensuing autumn found them on tour with Bif Naked, Good Charlotte, and the performers from MTV’s Jackass. The record moved more than 20,000 copies inside Canada, although only the track “Beautiful” drew any real notice and the band stayed largely invisible inside the United States.

Personnel adjustments accumulated across the years. Mid-decade guitarist David Hesse left, prompting Chris Ruddy, an alumnus of Drive by Punch, to join Nesbitt, Jacobs, and drummer Ben Shillabeer. Ruddy later gave way to guitarist Morgan “Macchio” Gies. With the revised lineup in place, the musicians built a studio inside the basement of Jacobs’ home and began work on their next release. Issued only in Canada during May 2007, the self-titled Social Code raised the group’s profile once MuchMusic granted heavy rotation to its lead single, “Bomb Hands.” Early 2008 road dates supporting Hedley and Sum 41 added further momentum. American awareness nevertheless stayed modest, leading the band to issue the self-released EP He Said She Said in late October 2008 in hopes of altering that situation.