The Neins Circa originally formed as the Neins in 2002, and quickly became popular in the small clubs in and around Vancouver, Canada. The quirky six-piece band recorded its first EP, The Neins, in 2003, which quickly sold out, mainly at the group's high-energy live concerts. The band's constantly shuffling lineup had started to revolve around guitarist/singer Cameron Dilworth, and, catching the eye of New Pornographers frontman Carl Newman, the Neins were invited to support his 2004 solo North American tour. Touring as a four-piece band, they played 25 shows across Canada and the United States, generating considerable buzz with their upbeat performances and offbeat songwriting. When they returned from touring, though, they were forced to alter their name, as another group had prior claims to the Neins, and growing tension in the band led to an exodus of most of the members. Undaunted, Dilworth continued to write new material, and eventually put together a new lineup, recording the CD Sunday Anthems for release on Carl Newman's Blue Curtain label.