Buffalo-based metalcore quintet Every Time I Die formed in the winter of 1998. Spearheaded by brothers Keith (vocals) and Jordan Buckley (guitar), the founding lineup also included guitarist Andrew Williams, bassist John McCarthy, and drummer Michael "Ratboy" Novak. During their first short tour of New York and Canada, the fledgling group befriended Goodfellow Records chief Chris Logan, who released their debut EP, The Burial Plot Bidding War, in 2000. Bassist Aaron Radaczyk replaced McCarthy prior to recording Every Time I Die's first full-length effort, Last Night in Town, issued via Ferret Records in the spring of 2001. The band supported the album on tour with Killswitch Engage, and in the summer of 2002 joined the annual Warped Tour. Another bassist swap brought on Steven Micciche, who joined Every Time I Die in time for their 2003 sophomore effort, Hot Damn!, as well as a U.S. tour in support of Jackass alum Steve-O. In early 2005 Micciche resigned from the lineup, prompting the addition of ex-Between the Buried and Me bassist Kevin Faulk, who was ousted just three months later following sessions for the band's third LP, Gutter Phenomenon. Former Nora bassist Chris Byrnes was named his replacement. Phenomenon was released that August and touring commenced. The guys spent summer 2006 on the main stage at Warped, after which Byrnes announced he too would be exiting the group. Undeterred, the guys soon brought on bassist number six, ex-The Chariot's Keller Harbin, and continued touring through November alongside Atreyu and From First to Last before beginning work on their next album. Every Time I Die also released the DVD Shit Happens in late October, and soon after, the band entered the studio with producer Steve Evetts (Dillinger Escape Plan, Saves The Day) and began work on 2007's The Big Dirty.