Bay Area-based alterna-pop quartet Stroke 9 was formed by singer/guitarist Luke Esterkyn, lead guitarist John McDermott, and bassist Greg Gueldner while the three were still attending high school. Although each attended a different college, the group reconvened during each summer break, and in 1993 self-released their debut LP, Boy Meets Girl. Bumper to Bumper followed in 1995, and two years later their lineup stabilized with the addition of drummer Eric Stock; signing to Universal's Cherry imprint, Stroke 9 preceded the release of their 1999 major-label debut, Nasty Little Thoughts, with an appearance in the Ron Howard comedy EdTV. The group released two more records for Universal, 2001's eponymous Stroke 9 and 2002's Rip It Off, before signing with independent label Records, Man! for 2004's All In. Now on Rock Ridge, the band released Cafe Cuts: A Collection of Acoustic Favorites in 2004 and an all-new collection of songs, Last of the International Playboys, in 2007. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide