 It marked the debut of drummer Dave Wagenschutz with the band; their longtime drummer Sean Sellers had left in early 1999, and Lagwagon drummer Dave Raun had filled in on the 2000 EP "The Phenomenon of Craving" and on several tours until Wagenschutz, formerly of Kid Dynamite, joined Good Riddance full-time.Like "The Phenomenon of Craving" and their previous album "Operation Phoenix", "Symptoms of a Leveling Spirit" was recorded at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado with the production team of Bill Stevenson, Stephen Egerton, and Jason Livermore.Singer Russ Rankin later reflected on the album as a high point for the band