Flaw was formed in 1996 when lead vocalist Chris Volz answered an ad in a local paper placed by guitarist Jason Daunt, looking for a lead vocalist for a band. Volz met with Daunt shortly after, with Volz bringing a demo tape containing some examples of his recorded vocals. The meeting went well, with the two starting the writing process for Flaw material that night, and completing their first song, "Inner Strength", the next day. The band's rhythm section progressed through several line-ups but solidified with the addition of bassist Ryan Jurhs in 1997. That same year the band recorded their first release, the independent American Arrogance. Because they were low on money, the band ordered everything they needed to record from the Musician's Friend catalog, then returned it using the 30-day return policy. Their album gave them the opportunity to open for acts including Fear Factory and Econoline Crush. A local radio station, The Fox, broadcast the songs from Flaw's indie disc, giving them further publicity. Two more independent releases, 1998's self-titled album Flaw and 2000's Drama EP, were later produced as well, while the band's first stable line-up, including Lance Arny as a second guitarist, and Chris Ballinger on drums, was established in 1999.
