One: 21 was born in the latter days of 1995 in "The City Of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. The offspring of the now deceased band, Uzziah, it started with four members: Ken Klein on Vocals, Paul Sanders (formerly with The Invaders) on guitar, Tom Manns on bass and Vince Radcliffe on drums. Kris Klein would join later on guitar. Just months after forming, One:21 recorded a ten-song demo. That recording allowed the band to contribute "This Is Our Riot" to Boot To Head's Trampled compilation and release a six-song seven inch for Sofa Records entitled JxIxSx, which stands for "Jehovah Is Strength." The original ten-song recording was passed along to Flying Tart Records on the "b-side" of a tape sent by Cliff Powell of The Huntingtons to the label's former manager, Alex Parker. After hearing the first four songs Parker quickly contacted the band by phone and offered them a contract. However, it was not until after negotiation with Parker at Cornerstone 95 that we chose to sign and on July 25, 1996 the contract was sealed.

One 21 appeared on Flying Tart's Starball Contribution, with the seven-inch version of "Jehovah Is Strength", on the Christmas In Heaven sampler with "Carol Of the Bells" (which was recorded at Clay Creek Studios in Delaware) and on the Memorial Sampler with "This Is Our Riot" from their Flying Tart EP. The band took advantage of the Clay Creek Studios to record our first official release for Flying Tart, a seven-song EP called, In The Year King Uzziah Died. The album contained "Cooler Than You Think," "This Is Our Riot," "Johnny," "In The Year King Uzziah Died," "Jehovah Is Strength," "Cleanser," and "Front." One 21 had begun to record a full length for Flying Tart shortly before the label folded. The band found themselves without a label home, and in possession of their biggest-budgeted, finest-sounding record to date.

Not one historically known to pass on a good thing when it comes by (Third Day, Age of Faith, Squad Five-O, L.S.U., Elder, etc.), gray dot, inc. quickly seized the opportunity to sign One:21 to an exclusive recording contract to its modern rock arm, Bulletboy Music, and agreed to release the already-recorded LP, When the Dragon is Finally Laid to Rest, as the band's first release.

Like many of their fellow bands, One 21 is a touring band, on the road for three years now. After playing birthday parties, clubs, bars, churches, backyards, etc. the band toured the country in the summer of '97. The tour was cut short due to vehicle problems, but before it was over, One 21 had played the Underground Stage, with Blaster The Rocket Boy and Focal Point at Cornerstone '97, and The Main Stage with The Supertones at The Funkduvious Festival '97 in Alberta Canada. They have also played at New York City's infamous CBGB's and in "Sin City," Las Vegas. One:21 has shared the stage with Crashdog, The Migraines, 90 lb. Wuss, Slick Shoes, Speedy Delivery, Ghoti Hook, Left Out, The Blamed, Dogwood, Tickle Watson, Pink Daffodils, Zao, Seasons In The Field, Pensive, Strongarm, Nailed Promise, The Evicted, Redy Serve, Divinity Pose, The Huntingtons, Step Ahead, The Invaders and many other bands.