Despite not having a record label at the time, the alternative radio darlings began recording the album last August. According to frontman Jim Adkins, the band went back and fourth with a few labels and "very recently" signed with RCA. Damage was produced by Jimmy Eat World and Alain Johannes, known for work with Mark Lanegan and Chris Cornell, while mixing was performed by James Brown, who recently worked on Dave Grohl's Sound City album.