The alternative rock combo Black Lab formed in the Bay Area in 1995 after vocalist Paul Durham disbanded his eponymous backing band. Durham, who had grown up the son of a Buddhist in the Mormon town of Twin Falls, ID, later attended Oberlin University and moved to California to live in Berkeley and teach high school in inner-city Oakland. Although he played with a strong band that was beginning to get noticed by record executives, Durham fired them because a lack of energy; instead, he recruited bassist Geoff Stanfield, guitarist Michael Belfer, and drummer Bryan Head. Named Black Lab, the quartet began getting rave reviews around the Bay Area, and signed to Geffen Records in 1996. In October 1997 the band released their debut album, Your Body Above Me. Time Ago followed a year later. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide