40 Below Summer

History

The band formed after drummer Carlos Aguilar, a Peruvian native, met vocalist Max Illidge in a band called Alien. Joey D'Amico met Illidge in late 1997 and joined on guitar, followed by Pete Savad on bass. Savad later moved to guitar when Jordan Plingos joined on bass. With this lineup, the band self-released Side Show Freaks in 1999, recorded at their rehearsal space in the Music Building, NYC. Savad left as the band neared a record deal; Plingos moved to guitar, and Steve Ferreira joined on bass, soon replaced by Puerto Rican-born Hector Graziani. The band self-released Rain in 2000.

In late 2000, Side Show Freaks reached No Name Management, which worked with Slipknot and Mudvayne. After partnering with No Name, the band showcased for up to fifteen labels and signed with Warner Music Group's London-Sire, having been close to signing with Madonna's Maverick Records. In March 2001, they recorded their major-label debut Invitation to the Dance with producer GGGarth in Los Angeles. Before the album's release, they toured with Chimaira and Ill Niño, headlined by Factory 81, though attendance was poor. Invitation to the Dance was released on October 16, 2001 (some sources say September 11, 2001).

Two months after release, London-Sire folded due to a corporate merger. The band was briefly signed to parent label Warner Bros. Records in 2002, and Reprise/Warner Bros. re-issued the album. The band left the label in December 2002. Illidge explained that London-Sire's closure cut their funding, but Warner Bros. owned their contract and did not know who they were; after a year of phone tag, the band asked to be released.