After numerous lineup changes, the band solidified around lead singer Barrett Mullins, guitarists Jeff Streicher and Nate Taylor, bassist Aaron Hubbard (a southern California transplant who, unusually for a pop-punk band, favors an acoustic standup bass), and drummer Jon Jester. Driving East released their debut EP, A Black Eye or a Broken Heart, in 2005 on the small indie Brand Name Records. The unabashedly commercial EP, produced by Panic! at the Disco's sonic mastermind, Matt Squire, garnered enough attention to get the young band a showcase spot on the Vans Warped Tour. After another lineup change, which saw Streicher replaced by Justin Horenstein, Driving East signed to The Militia Group and began recording their full-length debut. ~ Stewart Mason