Ammonia was an alternative rock band from Australia which made a name for itself in the 1990s, producing a mixture of grunge and guitar pop (a sound they described as "pop-metal").

The group began in 1992, initially comprising guitarist Dave Johnstone (ex-Hideous Goldsteins), drummer Alan Balmont (ex-Dear Octopus, Cherrytones) and bass guitar player Phil Natt.

The trio released a self-titled cassette and developed a distinctive live sound, driven by Hensworth's overdriven and high volume bass guitar, complemented by Johnstone's infectious pop hooks.

By 1994, the band had completed successful tours of Melbourne and Sydney, establishing a solid fan base, and had an album's worth of material recorded.

The influential DJ Richard Kingsmill played "Incinerator" from these recordings to a national audience on the alternative radio station Triple J, sparking further interest in the band.

Again, the band was supported by Triple J, which played a number of songs from the EP, expanding the fan base around Australia, and ensuring another successful tour.

The Sleepwalking EP included the first official release of "Orange Juice" and, aided by continued touring, saw the band cross over from Triple J to commercial radio.

The band juggled live work with the sessions for its first album, Mint 400, which had ten new songs along with newly recorded versions of "In a Box" and "Sleepwalking".

When released as the album's first single, "Drugs" (written in five minutes during a rehearsal) emerged as an instant success, despite certain stations' refusal to play the song because of its title.

The band finished the year preparing music for an album which was to be recorded in New York with Dave Fridman (The Flaming Lips, Mogwai, Weezer).