The New Anxiety formed in the summer of 2002, but the members are long-time friends and musical collaborators. Nick Recuber (bass) and Joe Donnelly (drums) had been playing together in various bands in and around Philadelphia, PA for over eight years, but had become dissatisfied with their current project, an R&B/ jazz fusion band. Nick's brother Tim (guitar, vocals) and his friend and collaborator John Masino (guitar, vocals) had just seen their latest project, a math-rock/indie band, come to an end. Defying a bit of conventional wisdom, the four decided to combine their efforts and form a band that would bridge the gap between their work in previous genres. They vowed to remember the mistakes of previous bands they'd been in, take things slowly, and make sure to “do it right†this time.
Writing throughout the rest of the summer and recording at the start of October, the group quickly found its sound. The New Anxiety brings a fresh, new rhythmic approach to indie rock. On their first cdep, the band layers jagged, frenetic guitars atop bass and drums locked into tight grooves. Meanwhile, guitar leads and vocal melodies that are alternately catchy and sweeping add a pop sensibility to the five songs on this disc. Lyrically the band strays from traditional pop subjects, instead dealing with a complex set of ideas and concepts expressing doubt, fear, hope, and of course, anxiety about the state of our lives and the world around us.
