Initially, the band consisted of Danny Grody and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma.

The line-up altered over the years and has included John Hughes, Trevor Montgomery, Patricia Kavanaugh, Kenseth Thibideau, Jeffrey Rosenberg, Jim Redd, Tony Cross, Steve Dye and others.

Tarentel began as a post-rock band, making extended, LP-side length instrumental pieces.

Over the course of three full-length albums and a number of singles and EPs, Tarentel has gradually shifted its style to a looser, more improvisational form that incorporates genres such as noise and drone as well as having a strong psychedelic element.

Tarentel member, Paul Clipson, projects original Super-8 film compositions that accompany each live performance by the band.