Social Code

Formed in 1999 by high-school friends Travis Nesbitt (vocals) and Logan Jacobs (bass), the Canadian alternative rock act Social Code initially operated under the name Fifth Season. The group issued Patiently Waiting in 2001 before changing to its present name, the bandmembers realizing that they shared their original moniker with a popular group overseas. After a development deal with Columbia Records fell through, the band wound up ultimately inking a deal with Interscope in late 2003. Social Code released their proper debut album, A Year at the Movies, in May 2004, and the following fall was spent on the road, where the group played shows alongside Bif Naked, Good Charlotte, and the guys from MTV's Jackass. The album went on to sell over 20,000 copies in Canada alone, though besides some attention for the song "Beautiful," the band remained largely unknown in the United States. Several lineup changes occurred over the years; after guitarist David Hesse exited the band during the mid-2000s, Chris Ruddy (formerly of Drive by Punch) joined the existing lineup of Nesbitt, Jacobs, and drummer Ben Shillabeer. Ruddy was later replaced by guitarist Morgan "Macchio" Gies, and the revised group built a studio in the basement of bassist Jacobs' house before setting to work on a follow-up album. Released solely in Canada in May 2007, the self-titled Social Code heightened the band's profile when its lead single, "Bomb Hands," received heavy video rotation from MuchMusic. Also helping things was a string of early 2008 tour dates alongside likeminded bands Hedley and Sum 41. Again, though, Social Code's U.S. presence was minor; they hoped to change things with the release of their U.S debut, the self-released EP He Said She Said, in late October 2008.