After working with several groups in Minneapolis, singer/songwriter/guitarist Wes Morden formed the Middle States with guitarist/singer Ben Glaros in 2003. Effen Records released their debut EP, Great Portland Street, in 2004. Various lineup changes eventually led to the band coalescing as a quartet of Morden, Glaros, bass player Peter Fleming, and drummer Craig Gallas, the quartet that made the Middle States' debut full-length LP Happy Fun Party, released nationally on January 27, 2009. ~ William Ruhlmann