Spahn Ranch was formed in Los Angeles by Matt Green who had moved from his native New York the previous year. Using the finances he had saved. Matt invited New York Rob Morton (his intermittent musical partner of the preceding five years) to Los Angeles to begin recording. The result was a four song ep that was recorded in June. Vocals were supplied by Scott Franklin, a friend of Matt's who was actually involved in another band at the time, but agreed to sing on the ep.

The self-titled release was recorded and mixed by Rod O'Brian at the Backroom in Glendale, CA in September of that year. A talented engineer, Rod's huge body of work included Bowie, Eno, and The Talking Heads. The newly formed Los Angeles-bassed label Cleopatra Records, agreed to realese the self-titled ep. In October, Matt and Rob contributed a new track, "Machine Politics" to the Cleopatra compilation "The Whip".

Shortly after the realease, Cleopatra Records informed Matt and Rob that their ep had been well received by the press and fans alike. Cleopatra also recommended that they find a full-time vocalist and consider recording an album. Coincidentally, Athan Maroulis, (a friend of the duo) had moved to L.A. at this time. Athan (a vocalist the duo admired) was asked to join the group. In April/May of that year, their debut album "Collateral Damage", was recorded. Judson Leach engineered the recording in his JLAB Studio in West Hollywood. Rob produced the music, while the vocals were overseen by Matt.