[1] The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer (who was also the founder of the Shimmy Disc record label), who had worked together previously in Pulsallama.
Earlier recordings consisted of psychedelic-era cover songs, sound collages and originals in an abrasive and/or abstract, dense and sludgy experimental style with often dreamy and cacophonous vocals by Magnuson on the songs "Frank" (a sardonic "tribute" to Frank Sinatra) and "Dazed and Chinese" (Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused", sung in Cantonese).
[1] Lengthy sound collages would often terminate or begin the songs and without warning, a spoken word monologue (often taken from Magnuson's dream journal excerpts) might cut into the music.
They made "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" by The Weavers, "The Drum" by Slapp Happy and "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erickson into virtual signature tunes.
The group created a number of arty low budget home movie-style music videos, three directed by Magnuson's then-boyfriend, Brad Dunning.