The Trouble With Sweeney is the brainchild of songwriter Joey Sweeney. He founded the indie pop outfit in 1999 after leaving the Barnabys. Alongside musicians John Howkins, Erik Schmidt, Joey Mangan, and Erica J. Pennella, Sweeney derived a rootsy pop sound; a self-titled EP was issued within several months. Burnt Toast released the Trouble With Sweeney's proper studio full-length, Dear Life, in 2001. A year later, the band delivered another sweet collection of songs on the Play Karen and Others EP.
