Well, Fighting Jacks have been around since the fall of 2000. The original members, Casey Linstrum, Cory Linstrum, Mike Wright, and Mike Hoppe all played together in a band called Freeto Boat. Casey left Freeto Boat early on to play with a band called Two Car Garage as the other members stayed with the band. Soon after releasing their second album on Bettie Rocket Records, they decided to break up. Casey left Two Car Garage and started putting a few songs together with Cory and Hoppe. They decided on Fighting Jacks for a name and began to play some shows in the local scene. Realizing the need for another guitarist, they asked Mike Wright to play with them, and put five songs together to record a self-released EP called "The Inside Trade Agreement" in San Jose, CA at J31 Studios with Gordon Gurley. Making their way around the Bay Area, they developed a strong local fan base.
Sound Management (Smashmouth, T.A.T.U), and many others) noticed the band's momentum. They developed a great relationship and began working together in the fall of 2001. This helped Fighting Jacks catch the attention of many record labels and obtain endorsements from companies such as Fender Guitars, Ayotte Drums, Gallien Krugger, Dean Markley Strings,and Dickies Clothing.
The band started playing up and down the West Coast building an even bigger fan base. After their second year performing at Tom Fest (2002) in Washington, they were approached by Tooth and Nail Records, and signed with them in May of 2003. Not long after Tom Fest (2002), Mike Hoppe decided that he wanted to leave the band to pursue other interests. The band was not left empty handed. They asked Jon Sontag, the former drummer of a punk rock band called FAN5, to be their new drummer.
They recorded their first full-length album at Radio Star Studios with Sylvia Massy for Tooth and Nail Records during January 2003. It's called, "The Dying Art Of Life" and was released October 21, 2003. Jon toured with them after the recording up until February 2004. Then the band asked Dave Provenzano, former drummer of For The Design, to take Jon's place.
