In 1998,[1] guitarist Jimmy Paulson,[1] formerly of The Lemons, and vocalist Johnny Reidt[1] (often credited as the one-named Johnny[1]) formed New American Shame in Seattle, Washington,[1] adding guitarist Terry Bratsch, bassist Kelly Wheeler and drummer Jack Stringham to complete the band's lineup.[1] Drawing influences from the likes of Aerosmith,[2] Black Sabbath[1] and Jimi Hendrix,[1] the band built a fan base with "powerful live performances."[1] They soon recorded material for their debut album, produced by Paulson,[1] with Brett Eliason[1] and former Seaweed guitarist Clint Werner[1] mixing and engineering the album respectively.
The resulting album, New American Shame, was released on March 9, 1999[3] through Will Records.[1] Stringham soon left the band[1] and was replaced by former Green Apple Quick Step drummer Geoff Reading[1] with the band playing at SXSW '99.[3] They attracted major-label attention, including Island,[4] before signing with Atlantic Records.[1]
Atlantic re-released the band's debut album[1] with minor track adjustments[1] and additional drums by Reading.[5] "Under it All" was chosen as the first single, which peaked at number 35 on the Mainstream Rock Chart.[6] A tour of the US,[1] with The Cult,[7] and Japan[1] followed. By 2001, the band walked away from their deal with Atlantic[8] and disbanded soon afterwards.