The Apex Theory, formed in 1999, began as a local act not interested in being signed, only to have numerous labels contact them due to word of mouth. Three of the original band members (former vocalist Ontronik “Andy” Khatchaturian, bassist David Hakopyan and guitarist and current vocalist Art Karamian) are Armenian by heritage.

In 2000 the band released an independent EP entitled Extendemo, which resulted in their signing to Dreamworks Records in early 2001. Shortly thereafter, the band entered the studio with Don Gilmore (whose credits include the likes of Linkin Park, Velvet Revolver and Avril Lavigne), who produced their self-titled major-label debut EP, and their full-length debut, Topsy-Turvy, which were released on October 9, 2001 and April 2, 2002, respectively. The band’s first (and only) singles, “Shhh… (Hope Diggy)” and “Apossibly” garnered the band mainstream success as both were featured extensively in MTV2’s rotation. “Apossibly” was also used in promotion of the videogame Minority Report: Everybody Runs.

The band toured for a good portion of the next few years in support of their major-label albums, first playing Vans Warped Tour and co-headlining MTV2’s Tour with Lostprophets in 2001. In the summer of 2002, the band played on the second stage of Ozzfest.