Upon the breakup of Hanover Fiske, Bognar decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue a solo music career.
In 1994, Bognar returned home for the holidays and spent time with Knutson and Yell, who were the guitarists of Richmond band The Distractions.
After releasing 1995's First Time and 1997's Heed, the band changed their name to The Piper Downs (a reference from the movie So I Married an Axe Murderer).
2006, saw the release of their album, Varying Degrees of Failure and Tunelessness, which introduced their most popular song to date, "Louder", and three music videos.
The band has a guitar as part of the Hard Rock Cafe permanent memorabilia collection, have twice been named the "Best Unsigned Band in Los Angeles," appeared on radio, movies, and television shows, headlined the local stage at the Vans Warped Tour, and opened for Sammy Hagar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.