The three friends then moved to Brooklyn, New York after college, where the French Kicks were formed with vocalist/guitarist Josh Wise, a Princeton grad who originally hailed from Huntsville, Alabama.

Having performed their first shows at Luna Lounge on Manhattan's Lower East Side, in 1999 they released a self-titled EP The French Kicks under the label My Pal God.

Jamie Krents departed the band the next year, and was replaced on bass by Lawrence Stumpf, Nick's younger brother.

Another personnel change occurred when Nick stopped playing drums at live shows to concentrate on his lead singing.

A series of temporary drummers filled his spot until the band settled on Aaron Thurston, a Massachusetts native.