Ian Metzger(vocals, guitar), Joel Marquard (guitar, keyboard, vocals) and PJ Waxman (guitar, keyboard, vocals)had been playing music together for years in their bedrooms and garages, not playing any shows, not solidifying a real rhythm section, not even bothering to come up with a band name, just writing lots of songs. A call from a friend, Chuckie Duff (bass), and an offer to record a few demo songs seemed like a good next step for the friends. So, Dear and the Headlights was born, now all they needed to do was find a drummer. After many failed try-outs, they found Mark Kulvinskas (drums), thanks to an ad they had placed on Craigslist. Only a few short weeks after the band line up was solidified, the band started playing shows in the Phoenix, AZ area. Immediately, Dear and the Headlights were opening for national acts like The Bravery, Matt Pond PA, Make/Believe, Idlewild, The Hold Steady and more.
After just one year of being a band, Dear and the Headlights finished recording their debut album in April of 2006 with local Arizona producer Bob Hoag (Scary Kids Scaring Kids, The Format). Even before the record was finished, the calls had already started coming in. Record labels big and small were curious about this band with the annoying name making noise out in Arizona. Dear and the Headlights made their decision to sign with Equal Vision in the fall of 2006 and are now anxiously awaiting the release of “Small Steps, Heavy Hooves” on February 6, 2007.
