Though they would later relocate to nearby Philadelphia, punk rock unit the Menzingers came together in Scranton, Pennsylvania and included former members of local ska-punk bands Bob & the Sagets and Kos Mos. Tom May (vocals, guitar), Joe Godino (drums), Eric Keen (bass), and Greg Barnett (vocals, guitar) released a self-titled demo in 2006, and after it found its way into the hands of folks at Go-Kart Records, the guys earned a spot on the impressed label's roster. The Menzingers' debut full-length, A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology, subsequently came out in the summer of 2007. The record went over well and the band found its name spreading steadily among punk fans, especially among fans of groups like the Lawrence Arms. They hooked up with Red Scare Industries next and a four-song EP, Hold on Dodge, was released in May 2009; it was followed by tour dates alongside Broadway Calls.

The Menzingers eventually headed back into the studio to work with producer Matt Allison on their next full-length, Chamberlain Waits, which was issued amid growing hype via Red Scare in April 2010. The following year, the Menzingers signed on with punk giant Epitaph Records, and in 2012 they released their third, more mature album, On the Impossible Past. The band continued to grow and refine their sound, incorporating elements of earthy and earnest heartland rock into their sound, a trend that was evident on their 2014 album, Rented World. For the 2017 follow-up, After the Party, the band reflected on hitting their thirties and reminisced about their younger days, with fans comparing the results to their earlier work. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi