[7] Reliance on word of mouth from fans, rather than advertising, allowed this group to sell out venues such as the Bowery Ballroom in New York City before they finally released their much anticipated first album, Launchpad, in early 2004, on which they worked with producer Tom Rothrock.

Hitchcock, however, vehemently disagreed and went public by stating that he was summarily fired and was never able to overcome a "hired hand" stigma from the other bandmembers despite joining a mere six performances after the group's formation.

[4][9][12][15] Featuring guest appearances by experimental rap duo Blackalicious, Robby Krieger of The Doors,[12] guitarist Joe Satriani, and DJ Logic, the album showcased the band exploring vocal-based music as well as incorporating more overt rock and hip hop influences.

A July 2008 side project, PUJA, brought together Combe and Darren Pujalet of Particle, as well as Melvin Seals of The Jerry Garcia Band and Cristian Basso of Leo Nocentelli and Little Hercules.

[1][10][14][19][20] Allmusic writer Hal Horowitz, reviewing Launchpad described their music as having "a loose '70s feel that mixes elements of Pink Floyd's prog rock and Return to Forever-styled jazz fusion with insistent dance beats that shift from funk to near disco".

[10] A review by Nicole Keiper in The Tennessean described the band's sound as " jam-rock standards that make smart use of dance music's lush textures and well-placed, good-and-solid dancefloor thumps".