Sometimes joked about for resembling N.W.A visually while evoking Green Day sonically, the Jacksonville pop-punk outfit Whole Wheat Bread formed in 2003 among friends vocalist/guitarist Aaron Abraham and vocalist/bassist Nicholas Largen. The pair had grown up immersed in rap and punk, initially linking up with plans to launch a rap group until they realized both handled guitar and pivoted from hip-hop beats toward the hook-driven, high-energy style they branded "Dirty South punk rock." Joseph's invitation to handle drums—Largen's older brother—rounded out the lineup. Their first release arrived in January 2005 via Fighting Records as Minority Rules, tracked with producer Darian Rundall (Pennywise, Yellowcard). Road work behind the album paired them with Streetlight Manifesto, the Suicide Machines, MxPx, and Reel Big Fish. By June 2006, however, Nick—already carrying multiple felony convictions—faced arrest on first-degree robbery charges and received a seven-year prison sentence. The remaining members pressed forward by recruiting El Pus' C.J. Randolph (aka Johnny Rock) to fill the bass role. Fall dates included support slots for Wu-Tang's Killah Priest, followed by nationwide opening shows for the Bouncing Souls to close the year, while their EP Punk Life reached stores that November.
