Seattle based punk band The Classic Crime started while its five members were in high school. Vocalist Matt MacDonald, drummer Paul Erickson, bassist Alan Clark and guitarist Justin Duque all began playing together in the group Orizon before fifth member and second guitarist Robbin Negin joined the group and sparked the name change to The Classic Crime. The group started like any other, performing local gigs and shows mostly in the Pacific Northwest before they began touring with other alternative rock group Anberlin and Emery.

The group signed to the Christian record label Tooth and Nail and debuted their album, Albatross, in May 2006. Their ideals run deep within the Christian religion. They are named after the "ultimate sacrifice," which delves into the ideas of what a "classic crime" is- heroes who die for their cause and those who died for their beliefs. Their debut album peaked at number sixteen on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart with their single "The Fight." Produced by Michale "Elvis" Baskette (Iggy Pop, Chevevll, Cold), the group's debut album was pieced together via their hard rock anthems.

Their sophomore effort, The Silver Chord, appeared in 2008 and is a metaphor from the Old Testament regarding individual's out-of-body experience, where they see a silver thread which connects their mortal bodies to their immortal souls. The album was produced again by Baskette and proves that this quintet has matured in their 15 years together. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and made The Billboard 200.