The hard alternative rock combo Transmatic came together in 1999 when the band started jamming on guitarist Zack Baldauf's family farm. Also made up of singer Joey Fingers, bassist Andy Carrell, and drummer Kirk Frederickson, the band posted one of their tracks onto www.loudenergy.com. The song made a strong impact on website executive and Social Distortion bassist John Maurer, who connected them with producer Brad Wood for a website-funded EP. This brought them to the attention of Immortal Records, who signed them and released their first eponymous album in 2001.