Eskobar started playing together in the current lineup in late 1996. Back then, they were located in a small town called Åkersberga 30 kilometres north of Stockholm. 1999 they signed a record-deal with V2 Music after sending them a three-song demo.The first single was called On A Train and was released the 21st of Nov 1999. The debut album 'Til We're Dead was released in March the following year.

When it was time for the first release Eskobar was still a band without a name. The names that came up were either bad or taken. After a while they gave up. The problem was later solved when a friend of the band met an American manager and asked for help. He suggested Escobar. The band was informed and they approved. After changing the C into a K instead everyone was satisfied. Eskobar was born.