Originating in suburban Rancho Cucamonga, California, Rufio was formed in 2000 by members Scott Sellers (guitar, vocals), Jon Berry (bass, vocals), Clark Domae (lead guitar), and Mike Jimenez (drums). Sporting a bright pop-punk sound that drew comparisons to blink-182 and Sum 41, the band issued its debut recording, Perhaps, I Suppose..., in 2001 on the Revelation Records label. The band returned in June 2003 with the well-received MCMLXXXV (1985) (Rufio's first release on the Nitro label), which was recorded with the aid of producer Nick Rasculinecz and went on to sell over 75,000 copies. Rufio's members further upped their profile with a series of Warped Tour dates that summer.