[6] Shona McVicar from Cumbernauld (drums/vocals) and Edinburgh-born Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale met when their previous bands (Partwindpartwolf and Boycotts, respectively) played the same gig in 2012.

[7][8] The name came from two places: the type of stage blood Tweeddale had used for a Halloween concert while performing with Boycotts,[9] and as a reference to the lyrics of the song "Gutless" by Hole.

[8][11] Their first EP, Thrift Shop, was recorded in a bathroom on a four-track tape-deck, and included a cover of the Karen Peris song "The Girl on my Left".

[11] They attracted the attention of FatCat Records head Alex Knight following their second concert, at Wide Days music conference in Edinburgh at Sneaky Pete’s on 12 April 2012,[14] and he eventually signed them.

They played showcases for the likes of The Skinny and Vice, and festivals including the Great Escape, Wide Days in Edinburgh, T in The Park and SXSW.