in 1991, while attending the university of rhode island, nate edmunds and neal jones, high school pals from devon, pennsylvania found themselves inhabiting the archetypical college role of "the guys playing guitar in the other room" at the myriad and sundry house parties the institution was then infamous for. the duo would attract listeners and participants alike, often growing into impromptu jam sessions fueled by common interest in the grateful dead and classic rock.