In the late '90s, a new generation missed out on bands like Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana, leading to the rise of similarly styled groups such as Days of the New. Fronted by Travis Meeks, the band's acoustic-based sound drew comparisons to Alice in Chains, gaining popularity with hits like "Touch, Peel and Stand" before internal conflicts led to lineup changes and a shift towards Meeks as the main creative force. Despite attempts at a grandiose second album and collaborations with the Doors, the band's identity as a Meeks solo project became clear by their third release in 2001, incorporating elements of prog rock.

Days of the New's early success with their 1997 debut album and singles like "The Down Town" and touring with Metallica was followed by internal tensions, resulting in lineup changes and a decline in commercial success with subsequent releases. Travis Meeks, the band's founder, took on a more prominent role in songwriting and production, culminating in the realization that Days of the New had essentially become a solo project under his leadership. Despite brief collaborations and experimentation with their sound, the band's trajectory in the 2000s solidified Meeks' position as the driving creative force behind the project.