Future Leaders of the World was a post-grunge band. Their first release was the 2004 album LVL IV, pronounced Level Four. Their first single, Let Me Out, received extensive radio play and propelled them into the spotlight. The band has been compared usually to Rage Against the Machine in terms of both material and the lead singers' tendency to rap, however Future Leaders of the World is far more singing intensive. They have also been compared to Nirvana. During 2004 the band played many festivals and clubs to help promote the album.

After graduating high school in Buffalo, New York, Phil Taylor moved to San Francisco, CA. His plans were to attend college, while living with a relative. However, he was kicked out and had to regroup. He was forced to work full-time, take college classes, and live with various friends. While at a Puddle of Mudd concert, Taylor bumped into Mike Flynn, who later became the manager for Future Leaders of the World.

Flynn enabled Taylor to record a three-song demo. Taylor then returned to Buffalo. Here, he was able to assemble a band. Carl Messina was chosen as the drummer, and Toby Cole was picked as the bassist. The trio drove cross-country to record its demo in Los Angeles.

After a falling out with Taylor, Cole left the band and was subsequently replaced by bassist Bill Hershey. The band asked Jake Stutevoss to join as lead guitarist. They now had a full band. Epic Records signed Future Leaders of the World in 2003 and the quartet began writing and rehearsing songs destined for LVL IV. The album was made somewhat popular in 2004 via festivals, clubs, and radio.

In the spring/summer of 2005, the band received the news that little or no support from Epic records for further touring and promotion would continue, and that they would eventually most likely be dropped. At that point the band gradually over the next few months decided to go their own separate ways and disband as there was much dissent between the members over the loss.