It was founded in 1989 in Helsinki[4] by vocalist Jyrki 69 (who also writes the band's lyrics), guitarists Bazie, Timo-Timo and bassist Archzie, joined in 1992 by drummer Jussi 69; the lineup never changed since then.

This same year, the band released their final two 7-inch EPs, Juicy Lucy and High Times Low Lives.

It was followed in 1995 by Savage Garden which featured Hanoi Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy on the track "Wild Talk".

Also released during this time were two VHS tapes Motor City Resurrection and Savage Tales, available only through the band's self-run fan club (the aptly titled "Get Down to 69").

Jyrki 69 developed a concept video for this track which featured longtime friend and collaborator Ville Valo posing at a snowy cemetery as the ghost of Jim Morrison.

After the release of Blessed Be, the band did their first short tour in Germany which included a show at the M'era Luna Festival.

The "Lost Boys" single was released in Finland at this time, paying homage to the film of the same name as anticipation for the full-length album grew.

The band filmed their video "Lost Boys" in Hollywood and the Philadelphia area, directed by MTV star Bam Margera.

[9] The performance featured hits spanning the six latest albums an introduction by Bam Margera and a live cover of the Ramones' "I Just Wanna Have Something to Do".

In early 2009, The 69 Eyes started initial recording for their ninth studio album with producer Matt Hyde.

In early June 2009, Bam Margera directed the music video for the first single from the album, "Dead Girls Are Easy".

[6] A tour of the United States followed in October 2009, and Jyrki 69 was featured on both Fox News' Red Eye program as well as on CNN International.

In April 2010, during an interview with Sean Twisted of Renegaderadio.net, Rudi Protrudi (frontman and founder of The Fuzztones) reported he had completed work on a new song with The 69 Eyes, although further details were unavailable during that time.

On the official The 69 Eyes webpage the band's reported a European tour with Hardcore Superstar and Crashdïet in March and April 2011.

Early in 2012, The 69 Eyes began recording their next studio album X,[10] which was released on 28 September 2012 across Europe and on 9 October 2012 in the United States.

Both singles included two previously unreleased tracks, "Rosary Blue" and "Dracula's Castle", the latter being the song Rudi Protrudi reported he had co-written with The 69 Eyes back in 2010.

The 69 Eyes released a double-CD compilation of their radio hit singles called The Best of Helsinki Vampires in November 2013.

Michaels previously worked with the band on four consecutive albums (Blessed Be, Paris Kills, Devils, Angels).

The tour ended on 18 May in Philadelphia, making them the last national act scheduled to play at The Trocadero prior to its closure.

[13] On 25 May 2019, The 69 Eyes announced they were to release their twelfth studio album, West End, on Friday the 13th of September 2019 via Nuclear Blast.

[15] In February 2022, The 69 Eyes announced that they had signed to Atomic Fire Records, and two months later, they released their first song in three years, "Drive".

Eleven months later, The 69 Eyes collaborated with American songwriter Diane Warren and released the power balled "Fade To Grey" on March 22, 2024.

[21] Initially, the 69 Eyes' music style was of glam metal influenced by acts such as Mötley Crüe and Hanoi Rocks.

However, they began to incorporate more influence from gothic rock bands such as the Mission, the Cult, the Sisters of Mercy and the Lords of the New Church.

[22] Their music continued to show further influence from other rock artists such as the Doors, Elvis Presley and Billy Idol as well as vampire films and literature.