In mid-1981, members of the critically acclaimed new wave band The Feelies undertook a voluntary hiatus. After have spent most of 1980 performing songs from the innovative and influential debut LP Crazy Rhythms, the members of the band became involved in other musical projects. Drummer Anton Fier began playing with the noir-jazz group the Lounge Lizards, bassist Keith Clayton (DeNunzio) formed his own group The World, and rhythm guitarist Bill Million concentrated on home recording.