The band was formed in Glasgow in 1984 by ex-Altered Images guitarist Johnny McElhone on bass, and featuring Grahame Skinner (vocals), Pim Jones (guitar) and Harry Travers (drums).

[1] Skinner and Travers had been members of the band Kites with Paul McGrath and Ian McGreevy before Hipsway formed.

However the band failed to build on its success; McElhone founded Texas,[4] and by the time the second album Scratch the Surface was recorded, Travers had also left (to be replaced by Stephen Ferrera).

[1] Pim Jones later formed Big Yoga Muffin with Ange Dolittle, formerly of Eat, releasing one album, Wherever You Go, There You Are (2000, The Echo Label).

In November 2016, Hipsway reformed, playing at Summerhall, Edinburgh then two dates at Glasgow O2 ABC, in support of the 30th anniversary deluxe reissue of their first album.