Although formed amid Seattle's grunge peak, Harvey Danger drew from an eclectic array of sources that ranged from local icons Nirvana and Mudhoney to the melodic cult acts Pixies, Buzzcocks, and Ride. The lineup coalesced in 1992 when University of Washington attendees Sean Nelson on vocals, Jeff Lin on guitar, Aaron Huffman on bass, and Evan Sult on drums first assembled to perform covers at campus gatherings. Their own songs soon cultivated an intense grassroots audience, prompting a 1996 collaboration with noted Seattle producer John Goodmanson that yielded the material for the band's 1997 debut album Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? Arena Rock issued the record initially, yet Slash Records acquired it once the catchy single "Flagpole Sitta" ignited locally and then surged nationally in summer 1998, earning heavy modern-rock airplay and a Top 40 placement.
The sophomore effort King James Version surfaced two years afterward, its melodic, sardonic, and taut alt-rock sound echoing the first release. Minimal promotional backing from the label followed, however, and Harvey Danger soon faded from broader visibility. The members returned to Seattle, pursued assorted side projects, and savored their enduring cult appeal. Marking the group's tenth anniversary in 2004, they reconvened to write fresh material. Kill Rock Stars released the Cream & Bastards Rise EP, while the third album Little by Little... emerged in 2005 on the band's own Phonographic label and was offered as a free download via the official site. In 2009 the quartet opted to disband, closing with a final run of concerts that included three hometown dates in Seattle.
