Widespread Panic is a southern rock band from Athens, Georgia, founded in 1985 at the University of Georgia. On February 24, 1985 the band played their first performance as Widespread Panic at the A-Frame house on Weymanda Court in Athens. While their shows consisted primarily of cover tunes, Widespread Panic's repertoire did include a handful of original songs. Early on, Widespread Panic began playing every Monday night at the Uptown Lounge in Athens, a tradition that would last well into 1988. In the fall of 1987, Widespread Panic signed with Landslide Records and recorded their first album, Space Wrangler. Playing as many as 250 shows a year, Widespread Panic built a large fanbase. Widespread Panic ranked among the top 50 grossing touring acts for eight years running, even without substantial radio airplay, television exposure, or promotion at retail stores. After 18 years of non-stop touring, only pausing for studio recording and Christmas vacation, Widespread Panic announced in late 2003 that they would be taking a hiatus in 2004 to spend time with their friends and families. Widespread Panic returned to touring in March 2005.