In 1989, singer and guitarist Thomas Flowers met bassist Doug Eldridge; both of whom were employees of a Sacramento eatery.
Chuck Combs the original drummer left, leaving the position to Fred Nelson Jr, a co-worker of Flowers' and Eldridge's.
The track "Down When I'm Loaded" gradually became a regional hit, and after opening for Sugar Ray, Oleander was approached by a representative of Republic Records.
[2] During this time, session drummer Jonathan Mover was recruited in the studio to record a new album and play live for the first leg of that tour.
[3] The American Forces Radio Network in Asia and Europe also quickly jumped on February Son, which led to a following overseas.
Oleander recorded a cover of "Hello, I Love You" for Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors, a tribute album released in November 2000.
Considered a return to the straight forward, hard rock approach, the album featured the marginally popular single "Hands Off the Wheel."
In November, 2003, drummer Devours issued a statement announcing he was leaving Oleander to join the band Ima Robot.
During that time, vocalist Thomas Flowers co-founded the band Black Summer Crush with Rival Sons guitarist Scott Holiday and drummer, J. Harley Gilmore.
Regarding the new material's style, he also elaborated that it will "retain all the elements of Oleander’s musical past" but also reflect the band "where [they] are today, both lyrically, melodically, and sonically."
[10] Soon after, Flowers announced hopes to release the band's new album by spring 2011 under a major label and with a supporting US tour to follow.
[12] In 2012 Oleander signed with Carved Records to release their album 'Something Beautiful' which contained promo singles "Daylight" and "Fight!"