Formerly known as AM Radio before the southern California punk-pop band of the same name claimed the rights to the moniker, N.Y.C.'s Icewater Scandal is equally influenced by avant rock like the Dream Syndicate and the Dead C, as well as the college rock of the '80s and early '90s. The band formed in the late '90s, when guitarist Sean Malfucci, bassist Travis Redington, and drummer D.W. Burnam were students at the School of Visual Arts; the trio had been experimenting with different sounds in an abandoned studio space when they were asked to perform at a local Starbucks. Vocalist Andrea Hansen was in the audience, and though she had been writing and performing her own material, she joined the band. After moving to Brooklyn's Williamsburg district, the group recorded their debut EP as AM Radio with the help of producer Jerry Teel, who also worked on the first EP from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The EP's 16-minute-long final track, "Beeswax," caught the attention of Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, who recorded and mixed the band's debut album at his Echo Canyon studio. By the time of No Handle's release, AM Radio had turned into Icewater Scandal, and new drummer Ben Stanton stepped in for Burnam. The album was released in spring 2004 on The Social Registry. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide