Index Case formed in 1998 when guitarist Josh Parker and drummer Jordan Spence started writing music in Jordan's basement. Vocalist Joe Ansley joined later. The band bought recording equipment and began to record Birth. Index Case started booking shows in Des Moines and slowly built a following. Soon they added Korey Birkenholtz on bass. The band recorded 2 more independent albums Glass and The Weak and The Wounded before finally getting a deal with No Name/Elektra They headed to California to record their album The L.