Shortly before leaving for a music program in Hollywood, California, a mutual friend introduced guitarist Shon Thompson to Fern. The two played, their musical connection crystal clear. The night before Fern's flight, Shon took Fern to meet drummer Joey Rudacil. While the stunning musical alchemy the three enjoyed should have been cause for celebration, it was disappointing, as Fern was scheduled to leave the following day for the West Coast.

Shon and Joey continued what they call a "horrible" search for a bass player. Shon describes Joey's and his attitude at this time as strangely optimistic. With the self-interest particularly well-honed by obsessed musicians, Shon predicted an event no less epochal than an earthquake would bring the bassist back to the East Coast so the three could launch what Shon saw as an inevitable union. It would be a negligient university financial aid office, not faultlines, but one semester later, Fern was back in Norfolk, standing before the unsurprised Shon and Joey.