The band was founded in April 2005 by Michael Zabrek (keys) and Santiago Rodriguez (bass) after being asked to play a show in Gainesville, FL at a bar called the Shamrock. Then known as "Schiavo", they played an energy filled set of songs titled "Schiavo" for a very accepting and forgiving crowd. This sparked the fire and an experiment known as Worldwide Zoo emerged. 25 more shows were played in the first year throughout the Tampa/St Pete area including a win at a battle of the bands, "based on talent", at the Orpheum, and their own 15+ act "Zoo Fest" which was held at The Bank in St. Petersburg.