 Conley has cited some of his early influences as the Smiths, Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel, Superchunk, the Smashing Pumpkins, Sunny Day Real Estate, Archers of Loaf, Screeching Weasel, Jawbreaker, Gorilla Biscuits and Lifetime.Sefler was originally composed of Conley, Bryan Newman, Chris Zampella and Justin Gaylord.They recorded a 3-track 7" entitled "13 Hours of Everything" one afternoon in a friend's basement.