Towards the end of Summer 2000, sweating in a dingy basement in the middle of Chicago’s Ukrainian Village, four young men set up some microphones and recorded a song. In postmodern fashion, they called themselves The M’s.

Two years and 30-odd songs later, The M’s walked down the street to Semaphore Studios and produced a four-song EP complete with hairy riffs, heavy breathing and blasting horns.

Soon, The M’s were added to bills with groups as varied as The French Kicks, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wilco, Rainer Maria and The Electric Six.

Originally planned as three separate EPs, the band’s full-length debut went on to gain high praise from all levels of press and quickly propelled them to a cult-like status in their beloved Chicago hometown.