real friends didn't have a permanent second guitarist, often having their friends to substitute. eric haines soon joined as an additional guitarist. until haines joined fasel and knox would typically write the songs and they didn't have "another guitar[ist's] opinion", according to fasel. with this new line-up the group released a few eps. one of these was "everyone that dragged you here" (2012). shortly after the release of the ep, the band's popularity increased and the audience at their shows also increased. another ep was "put yourself back together" (2013). reviewing the ep for "rock sound", andy biddulph said noted that he would not be "surprised" if the band was "mixing it with the big boys in a year's time". fearless signed the band in december 2013. the band were initially hesitant to sign a label but called fearless "different. they made it feel more like a family." the group "still wanted full control of our band" while fearless would help with marketing and distribution, according to fasel.