In 1996, the five-song mini-album Tremble Under Boom Lights was released by the Medicine label, featuring well-produced offers such as 'The Search for Cherry Red' and 'Give Me Daughters'. Later that year, a self-titled EP on PCP established their reputation with the frenetic tracks 'The Public Hanging of a Movie Star' and 'When Prince Was a Kid'. In 1995, they released their eponymous debut on Tucson, Arizona's Third World Underground Records, which featured 'Christmastime, Halloween', 'To The Tigers', and other tracks. Albans alum Tom Frank joined as a new bassist. In 1993, the members went to college, mostly in New York City, and Jonathan Fire*Eater was formed with Cheney departing and later joining The Cunning Runts and Lupton taking over vocal duties. Maroon joined as the guitarist and Ryan Cheney signed on as the vocalist. Lupton, Martin, and Barrick formed a ska band called the Ignobles while in junior high school. All the members of Jonathan Fire*Eater attended high school at the D.C. Jonathan Fire*Eater was formed from a childhood band called The Ignobles.
