Guide Note:

Indie rock band The Wrens formed in New Jersey in the late 1980s. After recording two well-received albums, they were suddenly dropped from their record label. Though the bandmates (who lived together) continued to write and perform music, nothing more was released until their 2003 album The Meadowlands. Production company Little Quill is working on a documentary about their career.

1. Formed in 1989 in New Jersey
2. Record Labels: LO-MAX Grass Records, Drive Thru Records, Saddle Creek, Absolutely Kosher
3. Members: Charles Bissell, Greg Whelan, Kevin Whelan, Jerry MacDonald
4. Originally named Low, but the name was taken by a slowcore band
5. Second and third albums named for their home state of New Jersey

The Wrens released their first album, 1994's Sliver, on the independent label LO-MAX. They were signed thereafter to the major label Grass Records (backed by Sony BMG), which released their critically-acclaimed 1996 follow-up Secaucus. Soon after the release of Secaucus, Grass Records was bought by Alan and Diana Meltzer, who encouraged the band to make more mainstream music.

When a new deal could not be reached, Grass Records dropped The Wrens. The company eventually changed its name to Wind-Up Records and shifted gears, signing modern rock radio-friendly acts such as Creed, Evanescence and Seether.