The Boo Radleys formed in Liverpool in 1988 between childhood friends Simon "Sice" Rowbottom, who sung and played guitar, and Martin Carr, a guitarist.

School friend Tim Brown joined on bass; after various other individuals, Steve Hewitt appeared on drums.

Friend of the band, Mark Wareing, was in Dandelion Adventure, who had signed to the Preston-based label Action Records.

Waring subsequently gave a tape of the Boo Radleys' demo to the label.

[3] Author Dave Thompson, in his book Alternative Rock (2000), wrote that its title was "steeped in American literary lore, but otherwise [its music was] echoing the distinctly English sounds of My Bloody Valentine and Ride," both prominent acts of the British shoegaze scene.