Roots of At the Drive-In

Knapsack is an American rock band formed in 1993 by Blair Shehan (vocals/guitar) and Colby Mancasola (drums). Shehan and Mancasola were two high school friends studying at the University of California, Davis. Guitarist Jason Bokros and bass guitarist Rod Meyer completed the line-up.

Fearless Records is an American independent record label that was founded in 1994. Fearless is based in Culver City, California, and is best known for its early pop punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by bands such as Bigwig and Dynamite Boy; and later Sugarcult; Plain White T's; The Aquabats; Amely; and post-hardcore releases by At the Drive-In and Anatomy of a Ghost. However, the label has experimented with different styles in recent years. Acts such as Blessthefall, Bloodywood, The Word Alive, Ice Nine Kills, Mayday Parade, Pierce The Veil, Starset, The Pretty Reckless, Underoath and The Color Morale have showcased post-hardcore, metalcore, hard rock and alternative rock bands that have emerged in recent years. Fearless Records' releases were distributed in the US by RED Distribution, but since Concord Music Group's purchase of the label in 2015, it has been distributed by Universal Music Group worldwide.

Jawbox was an American post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1989. The original lineup consisted of J. Robbins (vocals/guitar), Kim Coletta (bass), and Adam Wade (drums). Jawbox released their first two full-lengths Grippe (1991) and Novelty (1992) on the local independent label Dischord Records, eventually becoming the third best-selling band on the label, behind Minor Threat and Fugazi. Bill Barbot joined the band as an additional guitarist and vocalist after the release of Grippe, and Zach Barocas replaced Wade on drums after the release of Novelty.

The Nation of Ulysses was an American punk rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in spring 1988 with four members. Originally known as simply Ulysses, the first mark of the group consisted of Ian Svenonius on vocals and trumpet, Steve Kroner on guitar, Steve Gamboa on bass guitar, and James Canty on drums. Tim Green joined the band late in 1989 as a guitarist and the band became "Nation of Ulysses." Nation of Ulysses disbanded in the autumn of 1992, having failed to complete their third album. After the breakup, Svenonius, Canty, and Gamboa went on to form the short-lived Cupid Car Club and The Make-Up. Tim Green went on to join The Young Ginns, The Fucking Champs, and later Concentrick, a solo project with a focus on ambient music.