[4] Harkonen began around 1997 originally as a five-piece that played noisy hardcore similar to artists such as Deadguy and Kiss It Goodbye.

Shortly after releasing their single "Hung to Dry", vocalist Aaron Connell and short-lived guitarist Niehl Brady departed, leaving the band a three-piece, with Ben and Bill taking on the vocal role.

[5] After constantly changing labels and slowly changing their overall sound into a more noise rock outfit (points of reference include Scratch Acid and Nirvana), Harkonen landed on national label Hydra Head Records where they released the Grizz record as well as Shake Harder Boy and their collaboration with These Arms Are Snakes (with whom Verellen lent his guitar skills), Like a Virgin.

[6][4] This gave them more exposure and allowed them to embark on national tours with Isis and other Hydra Head Records bands.

Ben Verellen has confirmed in interviews that the band's name was taken from that of the fictitious House Harkonnen from Frank Herbert's Dune series.