12lb.Test
12lb.Test was formed in the summer of 1997 when Michael Hill joined forces with Dallas musicians Michael Alves (bass) and Joe Elwood (drums) to form a guitar-heavy-yet-melodic alternative country-rock group. Guitarist Jake Williams, also of Dallas, joined a year later, followed by drummer Steve Hill, who replaced Elwood in the fall of 1999.
From its inception through to its dissolution in 2002, the band maintained a steady schedule of live appearances, performing at venues throughout Texas and the Pacific Northwest. Their critically-acclaimed debut recording, Harm's Way, was released by Miles of Music Recordings in late 2000.
A second album, Let Yourself In, was recorded in 2001. While it was never officially released, selected songs from those sessions do appear on Michael Hill's My Other Life EP.
For an idea of what 12lb.Test sounded like, check out this MP3 of When We Didn't Know from Harm's Way.