Formed by drummer Peter Brookes in 1989 as a recording project, the original line-up was completed by Lea Cameron (vocals), Steve Campbell (guitar) and Genevieve Maynard (bass).

Their debut single "V for Vendetta"/"Burn it Back" was produced by Damien Lovelock, lead singer of The Celibate Rifles[3] and featured Louis Tillett of the Wet Taxis on piano.

[4] "V for Vendetta" was released on the band's own Ursula label, receiving high rotation on radio station Triple J[5] and reaching number six[6] on the Australian Independent Charts.

For the rest of their career, Bughouse toured extensively around Australia, playing shows with many notable local and international bands, including Crowded House,[20] the Hoodoo Gurus, Hunters & Collectors, Yothu Yindi,[21] Concrete Blonde[22] and Bob Dylan.

During the period between Every Fool in Town and Bardo, Peter Brookes left the band and was replaced by Nick Fisher (Wet Taxis, New Christs).