Its first album for independent label Darla, 1999's The Tennessee Fire, attracted a devoted following in the Netherlands, prompting the young band to tour heavily.

James created the project as an acoustic outlet for songs he felt were unsuitable for his main band, Month of Sundays.

[1] He recruited his cousin Johnny Quaid on guitar, Tom Blankenship on bass, and J. Glenn on drums, and the quartet signed to independent label Darla Records.

[2] Their debut album, The Tennessee Fire (1999), attracted a devoted following in the Netherlands, prompting the band to secure management and tour heavily.

[5] He professed a love for atmospheric, "huge open sounds, such as vocals cut far away from the mic in a big room," specifically pointing to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street, or John Bonham's drum work on Led Zeppelin albums.

[6] James noted the group committed themselves to recording: "we locked ourselves in for many days with all the necessary elements–lights, candles, Madonna’s Immaculate Collection, Dreamcast and cookies.