Alien Crime Syndicate formed in San Francisco after the collapse of singer/guitarist Joe Reineke's Meices in 1997. Adding drummer Nabil Ayers, bassist Jeff Rouse, and guitarist Mike Squires, the band moved to Los Angeles and managed to score a major-label record deal by the summer. In 1998, the band was dropped immediately before the album was released, leading them to relocate to Seattle where they regrouped and gained some valuable live experience. They recorded Dust to Dirt and released it on Collective Fruit, leading to several high-profile tours and some decent radio play. From the Word Go followed, although the album was originally slated for release under Warner Bros. before the company let go of their president. Will Records wrestled away the rights and released the album in 2000, again prompting the band to hone their live skills around the Northwest. By 2002, XL From Coast to Coast was released with an updated sound, incorporating influences like the Replacements and Urge Overkill into their spacey power pop sound.