David Farrell was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, but he moved to Mission Viejo, California at the age of five. He was introduced to music mostly by his mother, who taught him how to play guitar. After graduating from high school Farrell enrolled at UCLA, where he ended up as the roommate of Brad Delson, a guitarist still active with his own high school band Xero. Delson eventually got Farrell (now calling himself "Phoenix") to join Xer's ranks as bass guitarist. In the late 90s, Farrell was presented the opportunity to tour with The Snax, his high school band. He found the offer to compelling to pass up, and he left for the next year to travel with his old bandmates. In his absence Xero changed their name first to Hybrid Theory and then Linkin Park, sold themselves to Warner Brothers, recorded and released their multi-platinum debut Hybrid Theory, and established themselves as one of the industry's leading corporate rock bands. Farrell rejoined Linkin Park shortly after that.