Tri-State Area began in the summer of 2002 in Bar Harbor, Maine, where Michael O'Neill and Leidy Churchman started this group in their summer garage. They were a small town queer cover band/gay love performance act.  Songs were recreated on the drum machine and acoustic guitar while the lyrics were read off a page. The group moved to Chicago and played Texas Ballroom and benefits for Howard Brown. They have also appeared on artforum.com and performed at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions.