The band was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2000 by Jamie Olson (guitar/vocals), James Clark (guitar/lead vocals), Jim McGuinn (bass), and Robert A. Emmons Jr. (drums).
In 2001 Cordalene's Stumble and Fall, their debut, was recorded at Indre Studios in Philadelphia and at McGuinn's house.
The album contained 7 songs including a Lou Reed cover Who Loves the Sun?
The fledgling tour in support of Stumble and Fall ended abruptly after the second show when both Clark and Emmons quit the band.
McGuinn and Olson recruited Mike Kiley to take over singing and guitar duties and Joe Boyle for drums.
The new line-up took a new direction with Kiley's songwriting adding more pop to the sound—'razor sharp cotton candy' is how the sound has been described.
Only weeks after the new line-up formed they were in the studio recording The Red EP which was released in 2002 on Manic Pop Thrill.
The band played shows in the Philadelphia area non-stop including an opening slot for Weezer at the Tweeter Center in Camden, New Jersey, to over 15,000 people.
While the band finished The Star Ledger and looked for a label they toured around the United States, including playing at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
In June 2006, Dalloway Records released The Star Ledger and the band toured the United States.
Jamie Olson formed a new project called North Lawrence Midnight Singers, with Boyle drumming.
Kissed Awake (Demo) The Star Ledger (2006) All Fear Disappears Kissed Awake Underwear This Good This City is a Catalyst Killed by Lightning Most Earth Shattered in a Single Day If You Didn't Love Me Last Breakup Song I Write What's Your Comfort?