Stephen Kellogg established a folk-inflected roots rock outfit called Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers in 2003 in Northampton, Massachusetts, where most participants had been enrolled at the neighboring University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The ensemble, sometimes shortened by devoted followers to the SK6ers, cultivated a loyal audience via relentless road work that concentrated on campuses. Its nucleus consisted of Kellogg together with bassist and keyboardist Keith Karlson plus drummer Brian Factor, while guitarists Chris Soucy and Kyle Riabko each passed through the lineup for periods of time. Despite the demanding schedule of concerts, the musicians managed to assemble a substantial recorded catalog across shifting personnel. Before the Sixers formed, Kellogg had already issued three independent solo efforts—South of Stephen in 2000, The Early Hits (1992-1997), and Lucky 11 in 2002—alongside Rain Summer in 1995 under the Stephen Kellogg Band name and Buffalo in 1997 credited to Stephen Kellogg & the Root Cellar Band. Once the Sixers were active they delivered Bulletproof Heart in 2004, followed by the self-titled Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers in 2005, a Universal Records release after which the label parted ways with the group. Subsequent albums included The First Waltz in 2006, Glassjaw Boxer in 2007, and The Bear on Vanguard Records in 2009, with assorted EPs appearing intermittently throughout those years.
