Allison attended high school in Modesto, California, and in his mid-teens became lead singer of a rock band, Brimstone.
He then joined another band, Skyway, as bass player, and toured widely with them in the Pacific Northwest and the South.
When he was 18, he met musician Naux (Juan Maciel), who introduced him to the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.
"[1] With Naux, Allison played in New York City, in bands such as Nona Hendryx's Zero Cool, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and China Shop.
[1][2][3] Allison left New York in 1987 and moved to San Francisco, where – influenced by musicians such as Brian Eno and Bill Nelson – he began to make ambient electronic music independently of major record labels.