Long Island-based Bayside formed in the winter of 2000 and quickly started developing a local following with their melodic brand of moody, guitar-driven emo. They soon hit the road, sharing stages across the United States with bands like the Alkaline Trio, Taking Back Sunday, and Further Seems Forever along the way. Their first release, the EP Long Stories Short, came out on local indie Dying Wish Records in August 2001. Touring continued and the following year Bayside found itself with a slot on Asbury, NJ's ~Skate and Surf Fest, Birmingham's ~Furnace Fest, and dates on two weeks of ~Warped Tour.