The power-punk popsters known as No Motiv formed in 1995 in their Southern California home, Oxnard. No Motiv's electric blend of driving hardcore and quickly-crafted guitar riffs grabbed the attention of up-and-coming record label Vagrant Records in the mid-'90s. Shortly thereafter, No Motiv became the very first band to sign with Vagrant and in '99 released a debut album, And the Sadness Prevails. Since the debut, No Motiv has made a name for itself, nailing a balance of hardcore-meets-melodic punk rock, a style recently penned "emocore." 2004 saw the release of Daylight Breaking, a more melodic, soul-searching/grey skies album.