Formed in South Carolina while in college, the members of Emery relocated to Seattle, and eventually signed with Tooth and Nail Records there. The quintet, fronted by Devin Shelton and Toby Morrell, then continued to hone their brand of commercial-minded emo/screamo-core throughout the 2000s. While its members proudly refer to their Christianity, and sometimes allude to it in their lyrics, they have also taken pains to not be specifically labeled a Christian Rock band. and found a niche on many secular package tours throughout the latter part of the decade.