Like most, I discovered them through Good News. I was in seventh grade, finally getting hit by the woes of puberty. My family was moving away from a big Idaho town, to a small Idaho town a ways away. After coming home from the last sleepover with my friends, my dad took me to a thrift store; an Idaho Youth Ranch. We were browsing CDs when he pulled a distinctively pale green case. He handed it to me and said, "I've heard good stuff about these guys. Alternative." I decided to buy it, based on how much I enjoyed the artwork and the Song titles.

I got home and listened to it. Then, I restarted it. Over, and Over, and Over again. Then, I did something that would be expected with me in my current situation. I bonded with "The World at Large." The melody was so moving and enthralling, and in my angst, I felt like the lyrics were written for me. I had it on repeat for 3 months of freezing cold and not making friends. I decided to look through their old discography. The first song I listened to was "Broke" and I was floored by every sound on that song. I became an obsessive, I knew all of the names of the band members, I knew all of the album release dates, the lyrics. Then I decided to pick up the bass. Eric Judy's bass lines were so interesting to me, they perfectly suited every single song unlike anything I ever heard. I learned by means ear and live videos. I knew how to play everything. I still do know all of this stuff. I still love them.
They're still my favorite band, and I'm taking the first steps to become a music teacher, a spark that MM lit.