YOB was brought into being by vocalist / guitarist Mike Scheidt during the mid 90s. Prior to founding YOB, Scheidt had operated as a drummer with Hardcore acts Chemakill and Dirty Sanchez and held down bass duties in H.C. Minds. The original incarnation of YOB featured Scheidt alongside bassist Lowell Iles and drummer Greg Ocon. However, by the time of recording the 2001 album Elaborations of Carbon, YOB comprised Scheidt, bassist Isamu Sato, previously with death metal act Thrombus and former Lightweight drummer Gabe Morley.