Editing Project 86 (section)

===1996–1999: Formation and self-titled debut===
According to the official Project 86 documentary "XV," Project 86 formed in mid 1996 by vocalist [[Andrew Schwab]] in [[Orange County, California]].{{sfn|McGovern|1998|p=1}}  Guitarist [[Randy Torres]], who was a sophomore in high school, was the first member recruited. The original lineup included Schwab, Torres, [[Ethan Luck]] ([[Demon Hunter (band)|Demon Hunter]], [[Relient K]]), and bassist Matt Hernandez ([[Unashamed (band)|Unashamed]], [[The Dingees]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.urbanachievershow.com/episodes/ethan-luck|title=Ethan Luck|website=Urban Achiever Podcast|first=Ethan|last=Luck|date=December 13, 2014|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=March 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330054659/https://www.urbanachievershow.com/episodes/ethan-luck|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://neverwaspodcast.simplecast.fm/31|title=#31 ...a Composer|website=Never Was Podcast|first=Randy|last=Torres|interviewer=[[Mark Salomon]]|date=February 6, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2020}}</ref>  Drummer Alex Albert was added when Hernandez left the band after a few rehearsals, then Luck moved to bass from drums.  Luck left the band to join [[The Dingees]] in Summer 1997, after which high school senior [[Steven Dail]] joined in late 1997.{{sfn|McGovern|1998|p=1}}

Schwab comments in a 2004 interview regarding the number 86 in the band name: "The generation before us used that phrase to describe when they would reject or remove something...Project 86 is like the whole idea of being rejected, or separate, or not going along with the current."{{sfn|McGovern|1998|p=1}}  The group did not travel much initially; they decided to hone their sound and live performances before embarking on tours.{{sfn|Dillon|2009}} In 1997, Project 86 was voted one of the top independent acts of the year by ''[[HM (magazine)|HM magazine]]'' readers. At [[Tomfest]] the same year, their performance was a big hit and [[Tooth & Nail Records]], became interested and subsequently signed them.{{sfn|McGovern|1998|p=1}}

Bryan Carlstrom produced their [[Project 86 (album)|self-titled debut]].  He had engineered albums by multi-[[RIAA certification|platinum]] outfits [[The Offspring]] and [[Alice in Chains]] as well as producing labelmates [[Stavesacre]] .{{sfn|Carlstrom|2009}}  Schwab drew upon personal struggles he was experiencing at the time to write meaningful lyrics.{{sfn|Bandoppler|1999|p=19}} [[Sonny Sandoval]], lead singer of [[nu metal]] group [[P.O.D.]], appeared as a guest performer. The album was released in June 1998 and was well received.{{sfn|Taylor|2009}} It sold over 50,000 copies to date and gained mainstream exposure on [[MTV]] shows ''[[Road Rules]]'' and ''[[The Real World (TV series)|The Real World]]''.{{sfn|Dillon|2009}} ''Project 86'' was observed by [[Allmusic]] to be the "most daring album at the time for its genre".{{sfn|Taylor|2009}} The success of their debut made Project 86 a top seller for BEC/Tooth and Nail.{{sfn|Figgis|2000}}  The band embarked on a pioneering tour called "The Warriors Come Out and Play Tour" in May 1999 with friends P.O.D. and [[Blindside (band)|Blindside]] as the middle slot, which drew crowds of 600-1000 across the nation.