While under the influences of heavy indie/hardcore hitters such as Fugazi, Motörhead, Slayer, Unsane, and Godflesh, among others, Matt Beck (guitar/vocals), Jimmy Reeves (bass), and Chris Raines (drums) formed Spitfire in 1996 in order to make a little noise in their quiet Virginia Beach community. With the release of their debut EP, Straining Toward What's to Come, Solid State took notice and signed a deal with Spitfire; this resulted in the release of their first full-length, Dead Next Door, in 1999. The guys next added lead vocalist Jon Spencer and released the EP The Slideshow Whiplash through Goodfellow Records before calling it a day in 2001. Members went on to other projects, such as Beck joining up with emo rockers Mae. But in 2004, Spitfire decided to re-form; Beck, Raines, and Spencer carried over into the second incarnation and were joined by guitarist Scottie Henry (ex-Norma Jean) and bassist Dan Tulloh (ex-Scarlet). Still with Goodfellow, the guys released the full-length Self-Help in early 2006, after which Ian Sabo joined the band on bass, causing Tulloh to switch instruments to become Spitfire's third guitarist. ~ Mike DaRonco, Rovi