The band was formed in 1998 by singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Armistead Burwell Smith IV and Rob Crow, who have been its two constant members.

The band's moniker is a reference to a character in the 1974 film Dark Star (played by Dan O'Bannon).

[6] On August 15, 2012, Pinback released the song "Proceed to Memory" from Information Retrieved free to play through RollingStone.com.

They are typically joined by drummer Chris Prescott; Tom Zinser and Mario Rubalcaba have previously contributed drums.

Other past members of the Pinback live band include: Erik Hoversten, Braden Diotte, Terrin Durfey, Ryan Bromley, Cameron Jones, Kenseth Thibideau, Brent Asbury, Gabriel Voiles, Dmitri Dziensuwski, Donny Van Zandt, and Thatcher Orbitashi.