The story of Eleventeen began with Alan Sartain and Michael Chaney, who spent the early 1990s playing in various bands around the Dallas music scene. Looking to build something new, they placed an ad in the Dallas Observer, which brought Casey Patrick and Javier Salas into the fold.

Around 1994, the four formed Helensready, the band that would eventually evolve into Eleventeen. With the release of their first demo and a coveted spot on the “Texas Style” compilation, Helensready quickly began gaining attention. Their live shows grew, their Dallas audience expanded, and the band became an increasingly recognizable part of the local rock scene.

As their following continued to grow, Helensready began taking the next step creatively, entering Nomad Studios to record a full-length album.

Throughout this period, the band remained active onstage, playing throughout Dallas, Deep Ellum, and the surrounding DFW area, strengthening both its live show and its connection with the local music community.

After several years together, the first major lineup change arrived when Javier Salas relocated to California. Rather than slowing the band down, his departure opened the door for Michael Smith to join the lineup. Smith brought a different musical personality and energy to Helensready, and his arrival began pushing the band toward a harder and heavier sound.

That change became another stage in the band's evolution. The music grew more aggressive and powerful while still retaining the songwriting foundation that Helensready had developed during its earlier years. The band continued doing what had built its reputation in the first place—playing show after show.

Through constant performances, Helensready became an increasingly familiar name in Deep Ellum and throughout the DFW music scene, sharing stages with other Dallas-area bands during one of the city's most active periods for original rock music. 

 As the band continued to evolve, it became clear that its musical direction was changing again. After firmly establishing themselves with the existing lineup, Helensready eventually parted ways with Casey Patrick and brought in Michael Price.

 His arrival would prove to be one of the most significant turning points in the band's history.

Price brought more than simply a new voice to the lineup. His presence helped reshape both the sound and visual identity of the band. The music became more focused, heavier, and more representative of where the remaining members wanted to go creatively.

At the same time, the band's image began changing along with the music, signaling that Helensready was entering an entirely new era. What had started years earlier with Sartain and Chaney searching for musicians through a newspaper ad had now gone through demos, compilations, studio sessions, countless Dallas shows, lineup changes, and several distinct musical identities.

  Each version of Helensready contributed something to what followed, gradually transforming the band from its early-1990s beginnings into the sound, lineup, and attitude that would ultimately lead to Eleventeen.