The Summer Obsession

Jacksonville outfit the Summer Obsession secured side-stage slots across multiple 2004 Warped Tour dates and set out from Florida in a packed van bound for Indianapolis. Upon arrival the stage in question had been scrapped, forcing the group to scrap its summer routing and instead head straight to Los Angeles in hopes of landing a record contract. Months of rehearsals and showcases eventually yielded a deal with Virgin. Early adoption of the emerging MySpace platform further boosted their profile; site founder Tom Anderson quickly became a supporter and placed one of the band’s tracks on the first Myspace Records compilation, issued in late 2005.

Backed by Virgin, the pop-rock trio tracked its debut that July with producer Josh Abraham (Velvet Revolver, Pink) and session drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, the Vandals). Once recording concluded, Chris Wilson (ex-Good Charlotte) joined as the permanent drummer, and the band spent early 2006 supporting the Click Five. Completed by Lucien Walker (vocals/piano), Fin Leavell (vocals/guitar, formerly of Against All Authority), and Christ Miller (bass), the Summer Obsession released its buoyant first album, This Is Where You Belong, in late August. In the weeks surrounding the launch the group shared bills with Teddy Geiger, Houston Calls, and Bottom Line. Leavell departed in early 2007 to focus on other projects.