Robbins and Barbot had jammed with Moffett while their band Jawbox was still active, briefly considering him to fill in after drummer Zach Barocas' departure. However, this lineup was not to be, and Jawbox called it quits shortly thereafter. Taking their name from a Brian Eno song, Burning Airlines released their first 7", and their debut CD Mission: Control! was released in 1999 on DeSoto Records.
