Bad Neighborz originally included bassist Jay Crew and lead singer Erik Trogisch. In 2010, Crew left the band. When the remaining band members renamed their group Sunny Rude, ex-bassist Crew took back the name Bad Neighborz for his own band, now fronted by singer Caleb Wilborn (In-Repoze).
Thet released a 5-song EP called Sunny D in 2011, showcasing their rock reggae, world music, ska, roots, and Hawaiian music influences. They played over 100 live shows that year, with headlining performances in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and throughout the west coast.
In 2012 Bad Neighborz were nominated in the San Diego Music Awards for Best Artist under the category World Music. They next began writing and recording their debut, self titled, full-length album at Earth Verb Studios in Cardiff.