Following the dissolution of Louisville, Kentucky's post-rock pioneers Slint in 1991, singer and guitarist Brian McMahan moved to Chicago and began The For Carnation, a less aggressively abrasive band in which he was the sole constant member. On the 1995 EP FIGHT SONGS, McMahan was backed by members of Tortoise. A new lineup including brother Michael McMahan completed the 1996 EP MARSHMALLOWS. Yet another incarnation of the band released the self-titled full-length in 2000. The two EPs have been reissued under the name PROMISED WORKS. McMahan was also a guitarist in Louisville's beloved mid-1980s hardcore band Squirrel Bait.