When Bayside sings of devastation and betrayal in songs like "How To Fix Everything" and "Guardrail" the emphasis is always placed equally on all parties involved. Honest self-examination, no matter how painful, brings a hope of redemption to these intimate, dark narratives of brooding and despair. "I'm ready to take that big step, start tearing off the layers I put up, or is it too late to be anything but what I am" from "How To Fix Everything" is a telling lyric, as it illustrates the loathing of a broken, insular heart suddenly turning inward, and finding that the blame lies inside. "Masterpiece" begs a friend to "Just accept yourself...find something that brings you closer to complete." Though their experiences in life have tested them, Bayside has found a way to complete themselves through the writing of meaningful lyrics and beautiful melodies, accompanied by touring and the love of music.

Bayside formed in Long Island, NY during the winter of 2000, after the requisite line-up changes of a young band were settled, they moved rapidly, establishing a fan base on the East Coast and touring North America. While still a very young band, Bayside began to catch the attention of various tastemakers, appearing on "From Brooklyn With Love," a compilation benefiting the victims of September 11th along with Taking Back Sunday, Brand New and The Reunion Show. Bayside recorded for the Dying Wish label in 2003 - the word was spreading, as the EP sold over 4,000 copies with no formal distribution and the band received in excess of 30,000 hits at mp3.com. Soon they were invited to contribute a song to "Bad Scene, Everybody's Fault," a Jawbreaker Tribute that featured Face To Face, Sparta and Fall Out Boy among others.