In 1989, they were joined by David Mitchell from Auckland bands Exploding Budgies and Goblin Mix, who introduced the twin-guitar attack which became the defining feature of the group.

He also created all EP and album artwork apart from Fish Tales which featured a painting by Jane Davidson.

[clarification needed] Their first recordings were demos, one of which, "Meluzina Man", became their first release on the 1990 compilation Xpressway Pileup.

[3] An associate of the band took a bottle of champagne from U2's dressing room without permission, leading the concert promoter to inform The 3Ds that they would not be paid for their performance.

[1] In July 2009, the 3Ds reformed to play two shows at the Merge Records 20th anniversary festival in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.