At one time "the most unheard band you've ever heard of", The Mess was originally formed in 1992 by Jess the Mess and Chase Chance, in a basement in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Over the years they played many notorious shows that were interrupted in one way or another, either due to audience/band altercations, sound system explosions, conflicts with authority figures and loss of conciousness due to severe inebreation.
A fateful venture to Los Angeles, California led to an epic long lost never released album recorded by Mayo Thompson (of Red Crayola and Drag City Records fame). A trip down through Mexico in 2002 resulted in the disappearance of the incompetent touring stage band, and the Jess and Chase had to make their way back on stolen horses. The Mess are considered by many to be the chief inspiration for the White Stripes, the Strokes and the Libertines.