Exotic Animal Petting Zoo is an experimental/progressive rock/mathcore band from Crown Point, Indiana that was formed in 2004 by brothers Brandon Carr and Stephen Carr. Their initial sound combines the likes of The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, and Sigur Rós. They recorded a 5-song EP of different musical styles while in search of a bass player able to play them all. Scott Certa was recruited for bassist in '05 and played local shows around the region. It wasn’t until the spring of 06' when the band recorded their first 4-song EP which got them opening up for .