Fingertight combined post-grunge dynamics with elements of California's hardcore tradition to create a melodic sound competitive with the aggressive, rage-filled outfits that dominated MTV and radio in the early 2000s. After building their fan base in San Francisco and throughout northern California, Scott Rose (vocals), Sergio Renoso (guitar), Jesse Del Rio (bass), and Kirk Shelton (drums) aggressively promoted the self-released demo Meantime Between Failures to the Internet community, both through their own website and MP3.com. The guerrilla marketing paid off in 2001, when the band secured a record deal with Columbia. Producers Tobias Miller and Bill Appleberry -- both of whom had worked with aggro-metalsmiths Adema -- were tapped to produce Fingertight's Columbia debut, In the Name of Progress, which appeared in April 2003. ~ Johnny Loftus