Based in the suburbs of New York, melodic pop-punkers Chris Hughes (guitar), Phil Robinson (drums), Chris Johnson (guitar/vocals), and Rob Kucharek (bass) were known as Cooter from 1996 until the summer of 2002, when the bandmembers rechristened themselves Autopilot Off. The Florida-based Fueled by Ramen Records released the band's 1999 self-titled debut EP, and the following year Cooter's first album, Looking Up, came out with the help of Fastmusic Records.