New Haven, Connecticut's Miracle Legion debuted in 1984 amidst the post-R.E.M. explosion of jangly guitar pop bands from college towns. Following a pair of EPs on small indies, the band made their full-length debut with 1987's SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE, followed a year later by the half-studio, half-live GLAD. Following the departure of bassist Steven West and drummer Jeff Wiederschall, singer Mark Mulcahy and guitarist Ray Neal continued as a duo with 1989's ME AND MR. RAY, 1992's DRENCHED, and 1996's PORTRAIT OF A DAMAGED FAMILY.