Smash Palace emerged from one of rock's most bizarre origin stories—when Quincy Jones sent a cease-and-desist order that killed their previous band Quincy after seeing the name on the Whisky a Go Go marquee. Brothers Stephen and Brian Butler responded by forming Smash Palace in 1983, earning an Epic Records deal and releasing their self-titled debut in 1985. Their follow-up album became power pop mythology when the Polygram deal "melted away," leaving their sophomore effort in limbo as one of the genre's most legendary "lost albums." After Epic dropped them and a 14-year wilderness period spent in unsatisfying staff songwriter positions, the Butler brothers returned in 1999 to become remarkably prolific, releasing 13 albums while building a sustainable career on their own terms. Think Like A Key Music finally resurrects the mythical 87 album with the original lineup reunited, proving that some treasures are worth the 35-year wait. From major label casualties to indie survivors, Smash Palace's journey represents both the perils and possibilities of refusing to quit when the music industry says no.