Prior to starting the group, Devine was a fixture on the Greenwich Village scene that also included Suzanne Vega and Shawn Colvin. He first achieved notice with a 1989 New York Music Award for Best New Songwriter.
"Fire Lane" was produced by Marc Moss, formerly of the well-regarded Delaware band Bad Sneakers; the cover was designed by Carol Bokuniewicz, who also did Talking Heads' "Remain in Light."