wax formed in 1991 in los angeles, california. they released their first album, "what else can we do", on caroline records in 1992, with a surf-inflected punk rock style, comparable to the ramones and pixies. according to the liner notes, "hold on" was the first song that the band ever wrote together. the album was produced by daniel rey at convent studios. wax began a lasting relationship with spike jonze, who directed the music video for "hush", filmed in chicago, illinois, where the majority of the band members originated prior to forming.