Launching in 1997 as a conglomerate of various acts in the Florida region, New Found Glory's winning mix drew from several hats -- straightforward rock hits, pop-punk energy and hardcore song structure -- to create a unique melding of musical ideas that would eventually be filed under the emo-punk category.

After releasing the EP, Its All About the Girls, on a local Florida label, Drive-Thru Records caught wind of the group (consisting of Jordan Pundik on vocals, Steve Klein on guitar, Chad Gilbert on guitar, Ian Grushka on bass and Cyrus Bolooki on drums) and released the full-length Nothing Gold Can Stay and the EP From the Screen to Your Stereo in 1998.

In 2000, MCA and Drive-Thru teamed up to release the band's highly successful self-titled album that spawned such hits as "Hit Or Miss." In 2002, New Found Glory scored big again with the relationship track, "My Friends Over You," from Sticks and Stones.