Prior to the group's formation in 2005, Metzger, Marquard, and Waxman had been playing music together without a rhythm section. Friend Chuckie Duff offered to record a few demo songs, but the lineup disbanded after the demos were done. Months later, Duff convinced the band to reassemble. He joined on bass and financed a full-length recording, while drummer Kulvinskas enlisted just in time for the band's first show a couple of weeks later. The quintet was soon opening for the likes of the Bravery, matt pond PA, Make Believe, Idlewild, and the Hold Steady. Dear and the Headlights signed with Equal Vision Records in November 2006, with the album Small Steps, Heavy Hooves arriving in February 2007. Drunk Like the Bible Times followed in September 2008, catering to an audience that had considerably expanded since the band's tours with the likes of Jimmy Eat World and Paramore. ~ Kenyon Hopkin