Hailing from Chico, CA, the four original members of
Number One Gun began crafting energetic, Christian-minded rock in 2001. Frontman
Jeff Schneeweis, bassist
Trevor Sellers, guitarist
Ben Tietz, and drummer
Jordan Mallory released their first EP, Forever, in 2002. The group was subsequently offered a record deal with Salvage after a chance meeting with
Dave Tosti, an A&R rep for the small label as well as a group member of
PAX217 (a band
Number One Gun had opened for). They began recording with
Bob Burch in January 2003, with Floodgate Records climbing aboard to help with the album's marketing and distribution. The resulting album,
Celebrate Mistakes, was released at the end of the summer.
Number One Gun signed with Tooth and Nail in early 2005 and released their first album for the label,
Promises for the Imperfect, in July. The bandmates went their separate ways one year later, however, with Schneeweis choosing to continue recording his own songs under the
Number One Gun moniker. Released in 2008, The North Pole Project found him exploring Christian themes and melodic textures, while 2010's To The Secrets And Knowledge featured lush production and songs inspired by Schneeweis' two year-old daughter.
–
Corey Apar, Rovi