Hailing from Gladewater, TX,
Junior started honing their effervescent blend of punk-pop in the early 2000s. Founding members
Kiley Bland,
Adam Hoffoss, and
Steve Cox recorded a demo in 2001, "Starving Artists of the Year," which paved the way for the release of their debut full-length
Y'all Ready to Rock? in 2004. The group was snapped up by Toucan Grove in 2006 after the band showcased at that year's SXSW. Junior's second album,
Are We Famous Yet?, came out on that label the following year; the album featured the singles "She's So Amazing" (co-written by
Bowling for Soup's
Jaret Reddick) and "What Was I Thinking." ~ Margaret Reges, All Music Guide