The Expendables formed in 1997 in Santa Cruz, California, by childhood friends Geoff Weers (guitar and vocals), Adam Patterson (drums and vocals), and Raul Bianchi (lead guitar), with Ryan DeMars joining on bass in 2000. Influenced by their coastal hometown lifestyle of surfing and skating, the band developed a style blending reggae, punk rock, surf rock, ska, and metal elements. They released independent albums No Time to Worry (2000), Open Container (2001), and Gettin’ Filthy (2004), selling over 40,000 units without distribution. Signed to Stoopid Records in 2007, they issued their self-titled album, produced by Slightly Stoopid associates, followed by Prove It (2010), produced by Paul Leary and El Hefe. The band has toured extensively, often 125-150 shows annually, sharing stages with acts like Slightly Stoopid and 311. Known for high-energy live performances that get crowds moving, The Expendables maintain a self-sufficient approach, recording in their Santa Cruz warehouse studio.