Stitch enlisted guitarist Lorne Behrman and bassist Damian Branica to strengthen the already formidable chops of singer Mick Brown and drummer James Baggs. By 1994 they were performing at premier New York City punk venues-- CBGB, the Limelight and Coney Island High. The band released their first single, "Rustic City" in 1995 on Honey Roasted Records, followed by "Could Just Die" (Holy Plastic Records) and "Nut Job" (Eyeball Records)in mid 1996. Eyeball Records also distributed their first album, Snapped in 1997. During one of the band's hard-hitting performances, Joey Ramone caught an earful of L.E.S and was so impressed that the Ramones frontman essentially adopted the young punks and added them onto the bill of an unsigned talent showcase. (Lower East Side Stitches) signed with BMG/NG Records and released the full-length STAJA '98 L.E.S. in 1999. Lower East Side followed a year later. ~ Roxanne Blanford