In 1998, Unified Theory started coming together with bassist Brad Smith and guitarist Christopher Thorn, both formerly of Blind Melon, drummer Dave Krusen who had played with Pearl Jam, and Chris Shinn handling vocals and guitar as the fresh addition. Smith and Thorn turned their attention to assembling this group once efforts to revive Blind Melon under a fresh vocalist and alternate moniker fell through. Shinn entered the picture when Thorn relocated to L.A. specifically to search for singers, and Krusen fit naturally as an existing acquaintance of the group. Initially operating as Luma, the musicians put out a four-track CD via their site during 1999, yet upon inking a deal with Universal's 3:33 imprint that same year, they adopted the name Unified Theory in reference to Einstein's final theoretical pursuits. Their self-titled first album appeared in August 2000, with the follow-up Cinematic later emerging independently in 2008 strictly as a digital download.
