The punky popsters High Speed Scene launched their uncertain bid for recognition through studio work on the television program Celebrity Justice, repeated journeys in the unreliable “Death Van,” and a decisive relocation from San Francisco to Hollywood. Singer/guitarist/songwriter Max Hart, drummer Adam Aaronson, and bassist Domen Vajevec formed the group in late 2001, then repeatedly performed their Weezer meets Jawbreaker meets Cheap Trick sound along the California coast before expanding to nationwide tours. By early 2003 a self-released self-titled EP had appeared.
Session employment for other artists kept the members solvent and allowed their demo to circulate among key figures. Upon reaching Pharrell Williams, the producer and Neptunes member contacted the High Speed Scene within twenty-four hours to propose a deal on the newly established Star Trak imprint. Initial skepticism dissolved only when attorneys delivered contracts several days afterward. The band contributed to the August 2003 showcase album The Neptunes Present... Clones, yet the subsequent transfer of Star Trak from Arista to the Universal family of labels created delays. With the “Death Van” permanently retired, the High Speed Scene retreated to the studio to complete their debut; Interscope issued the self-titled full-length in March 2005.
