[3] Composed of Shane Parsons (vocals/guitar), Lachlan Ewbank (lead guitar/vocals) and Simon Ridley (drums),[4] they put out two EPs before releasing their debut album, Bloodstreams, in April 2012.

[6] To date they have released six studio albums: Bloodstreams, Black Rat, Bloody Lovely, Positive Rising: Part 1, Positive Rising: Part 2 and R.I.F.F Parsons and Ridley (both from Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia) were initially the founding members of Brisbane band Velociraptor, and continue to play with the group.

It was released in the UK in May 2012 on the Hassle label and NME reviewer Kelly Murray explained: "This album has the potential to make your little sister want to shave her head and invest in mock leather hotpants.

"[9][13][14] The band's second album was recorded with producer Burke Reid at the Grove Studios complex, located adjacent to the Strickland Forest, north of Sydney, Australia,[15] in January 2014.

"[20] In early April 2014, the band signed with the Infectious Records music company for the release of Black Rat in the United Kingdom (UK).

[19] In early May 2014, writing for the Australian newspaper, music journalist Andrew McMillen awarded Black Rat 3.5 stars out of a possible 5.

McMillen describes Bloodstreams as comparatively juvenile alongside Black Rat, and writes that the more mature sound better suits the duo, as they move beyond their "trash party" origins.

McMillen further praises the album's 11 songs as a "significant step forward" and concludes: "... it's [Black Rat] the sound of a confident band torn between its populist, party-friendly beginnings and a new-found ability to embrace glimpses of beauty amid the sonic destruction.

[29] On 14 September the band joined with The Gooch Palms for Like a Version on Triple J where they played their original, "Like People", and their cover of "Love Shack" by the B52s.

[33] On 1 March 2019, coinciding with the beginning of their Tour With the Lot, DZ Deathrays released a new single entitled "Front Row Hustle".

[38] On 5 April 2023 The band announced the forthcoming release of their 6th studio album R.I.F.F, proceeded by the singles "Paranoid", "King B" and "Tuff Luck".

[39] In an album review, Ellie Robinson from NME said "The title stands for Remember It's for Fun, and here DZ Deathrays wholeheartedly embody that ethos.

[43] The band's performance at the US South by Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin, Texas[44] was shortened, due to the extreme volume of their music.

Musical touring partners include Blood Red Shoes, TRUST, Foo Fighters and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.