The band was formed in 1980, taking its name from a smoking pipe[2] By 1981 they were a local success and in 1982 their debut album, Blasted, spawned two hit singles in Jamaica.
When problems put an end to their period in Europe, they turned their attention to the United States and Mexico, and released their album, Crossfire.
In 1991 a major change took place in the band, when drummer Phanso Wilson and the late lead singer Trevor Roper migrated to the United States.
Original Lead singer and guitarist Trevor Roper died after battling cancer in Chicago in 2013.
[5] As of 2018, the band comprised original members Wayne Armond (vocals/guitar), Winston "Alla" Lloyd (keyboards), and Keith "Papa Keith" Francis (bass guitar), along with Dean Stephens (lead vocals), Wayne "C-Sharp" Clarke (drums), Andrew "Preggs" Thompson (electronic percussion), and Jerome Tulloch (keyboards), with drummer Desi Jones an occasional member.