Early April was formed in April 2004 by four musicians based out of Chicago. They became friends from separate local bands, who wanted to make some different music. Guitarist Adam Pilarczyk and bassist Jason "Goat" Henricy have been in bands together since they were in high school. More recently, the two were in a band named Pushbutton. Through mutual agreement, Pushbutton shared a practice space on the south side of Chicago with another local band named Swellbox.