[1] The band was formed in late 1998 by guitarists Evan Patterson and Robby Scott, bassist Ty Kreft, vocalist Casper Adams, and drummer Phil Stosberg.
Influenced by the Washington, D.C. hardcore punk scene and contemporary bands like Deadguy, The National Acrobat "quickly earned a reputation for their engaging, humorous, and often confrontational live performances".
[1] In June 1999, The National Acrobat released its eponymous debut EP through a small record label that Kreft and Scott formed together.
[2] This last release featured the Patterson brothers handling bass duties, following Depp's departure, and crediting them to the common punk pseudonym Dale Nixon.
[1] For the subsequent live performances, Stephen George filled on bass, as The National Acrobat played the Midwest and Northeast with groups like Isis and Burn It Down.