Forming in 1998 out of the ashes of several failed rock bands, jazz trio Zelienople was a godsend for the members. Keyboardist/clarinetist Brian Harding, bassist/synth player Matt Christensen, and drummer Mike Weis came together out of a similar dislike for their previous experiences and a love for drone-based jazz. Combining their many strange and psychedelic influences into a lean sound, the group gigged around Chicago until a chance to record for Loose Thread gave them the chance to release Pajama Avenue, their debut, in the spring of 2002.