Their 2011 self-titled debut, featuring the single "Constant Headache", was released through indie label 6131; its 2012 follow-up, Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired, was distributed through Asian Man.

Guitarists Barry Johnson and Chase Knobbe first met and bonded in late 2008, and decided to form a band on a trip to Disneyland.

[2] The duo adopted an acoustic, folk-punk sound, and began playing house shows;[3] their first gig was opening for Andrew Jackson Jihad.

[7] Johnson was uncomfortable with the attention, and channeled his angst into the band's next offering, 2012's Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired, a thirteen-minute thrash that explores its folk-punk roots and included a cover of the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star".

[8] The group partnered with venerated imprint Asian Man Records for the release; Big Scary Monsters handled overseas distribution.

The reaction from their fanbase was swift and divided;[9] Johnson called the album a pain to make, later confessing that he felt a pull to distinguish themselves from their contemporaries: "We didn’t want to be a Warped Tour band," he admitted.

[6] The band played shows in support of the album with Brand New,[24] as well as their first-ever[16] headlining slots alongside Toys That Kill, Mitski,[25] and Modern Baseball.

[32] Cody ended up being their only album with Enzor behind the drum kit; he was replaced on 2018's Million Dollars to Kill Me by Pat Ware, of the group Spraynard.

Million Dollars to Kill Me was produced by Converge's Kurt Ballou, and spawned three singles, including the title track, "Think I’m Still in Love with You" and "Big Lie".

[34][35] The band was supported by Vundabar and Big Eyes on live dates,[36] and joined Saves the Day for a summer co-headlining jaunt in 2019.

Midway though the year, Joyce Manor issued Songs from Northern Torrance (2020), a rarities compilation collecting early demos.

[6] The process allowed Johnson to reevaluate older, unfinished demos that helped birth the band's latest album, the Sublime-referencing 40 oz.

[42] Following Ward's exit, the band resigned themselves to simply being a three-piece, and enlisted Tony Thaxton (of Motion City Soundtrack) for a guest role on 40 oz.

[49] The band members themselves have cited Blink-182, the Smiths,[3] Guided by Voices, Pissed Jeans, Rancid,[50] Against Me!, Weezer, and Television as influences.