Minnesota native Peter Himmelman was the leader of a pop/rock quintet called Sussman Lawrence that made two independent albums in the early '80s and earned him comparisons to such new wave singer/songwriters as Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. The group became Himmelman's backup band for the release of his debut album, This Father's Day (1986), which earned him a contract with Island Records. He followed with Gematria (1987), Synesthesia (1989), and From Strength to Strength (1991). By the last release, he had moved to Epic Records, releasing 1992's Flown This Acid World and 1994's Skin.