The Young Dubliners is an Irish-American rock band formed in Santa Monica, California in 1988. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Keith Roberts has remained the only constant member of the band. The other current members include violinist Chas Waltz, drummer David Ingraham, guitarist Justin Pecot, and bassist Ethan Jones. They describe their music as "original rock compositions and Irish folk songs with a rock twist" and their stated influences include Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, The Waterboys, Big Country, and U2. AllMusic states, "[t]heir sound defies categorization" and describes them as "Ireland's answer to Los Lobos, with a similar combination of traditional folk music, raucous electric rock, and forward-thinking experimentation".
The band was signed to Scotti Brothers Records in early 1994 and released the EP Rocky Road to the Adult Album Alternative radio format, where it reached 37 the week of May 6, 1994. It was followed by the full-length album Breathe on June 13, 1995. Shortly after, the band starting touring nationally.