Hey Mercedes was an alternative rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, United States, formed after the dissolution of Braid by its former members Bob Nanna, Todd Bell, and Damon Atkinson. History Early years and Everynight Fire Works (1999–2002) In June 1999, Braid announced they would be breaking up, and played their last shows that August. While guitarist Chris Broach remained active in music focusing his attention on the Firebird Band, Braid's remaining former members spent some time at home. Toward the end of 1999, those members reconvened and formed Hey Mercedes: Bob Nanna, Damon Atkinson, and Todd Bell returned as lead vocalist, drummer, and bassist, respectively. After auditioning two people, former Alligator Gun guitarist Mark Dawursk completed the band's lineup in April 2000, and the band began practicing that month. The members lived in separate cities between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Nanna had to travel from Chicago to Milwaukee to practice during weekdays, only to return home the following morning to work at his job. In spite of these busy schedules, the band still managed to work on material. Not long after Dawursk joined, the group recorded a four-track EP. Although they had planned to self-release it, the band had no money to fund that endeavor. They eventually shopped it to different labels, eventually drawing interest from Polyvinyl Record Co. founder Matt Lunsford, who offered to release it. The band accepted Lunsford's offer, and prior to its release, drummer Damon Atkinson was contacted by independent label Vagrant Records, who congratulated the band on the EP. In August, the group played their first show, and the self-titled EP was released in September 2000. It showcased a mix of the syncopated drum parts of Braid with a more melodic structure, highlighted by Nanna's different vocal approach than that which was shown with Braid. Long-time connections in the American emo scene enabled the band to tour with the likes of Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day and Jets to Brazil. In December 2000, Hey Mercedes traveled to California to play a string of shows. While there, they met with Vagrant founder Rich Egan; they signed to the label at the end of the month. On March 2, 2001, the band demoed 15 tracks for potential inclusion on their debut album, and followed this with a brief US tour, with Dashboard Confessional appearing on all dates. The Anniversary supported the first half,