Bay Area-based alterna-pop quartet Stroke 9 was formed by singer/guitarist Luke Esterkyn, lead guitarist John McDermott and bassist Greg Gueldner while the three were still attending high school. Although each attended a different college, the group reconvened during each summer break, and in 1993 self-released their debut LP Boy Meets Girl. Bumper to Bumper followed in 1995, and two years later their line-up stabilized with the addition of drummer Eric Stock; signing to Universal's Cherry imprint, Stroke 9 preceded the release of their 1999 major label debut Nasty Little Thoughts with an appearance in the Ron Howard comedy EdTV.