While growing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jon Lee listened to a variety of music. "I was the only white boy in my neighborhood, so my first records were by Run DMC, Michael Jackson, and the Beastie Boys, who were solely responsible for me being accepted by my neighborhood friends. Thank you, Beasties!"

As a teenage skateboarder, Jon discovered punk rock groups like The Clash, Fugazi, and Descendents. Soon he found himself behind the microphone. "In high school some friends and I formed a band called Glass Bead Game. Since I couldn't play any instruments at the time, I sang and wrote lyrics." GBG was influenced by U2, Minor Threat, and Green Day, bands they tried to cover live, with limited success. "Glass Bead Game's first show was in my parents' basement one night while they were out of town. A ton of people showed up to hear us and, athough we sucked and only knew about four songs, I was totally hooked on the experience."

Eventually Jon picked up the guitar and formed another band called Shut, playing gui