[1][2] They were one of the most highly regarded outfits to emerge from Sydney's inner-city scene during the late 1980s and were an early signing to the rooArt label.
[1][2][5] They were one of Australia's most promising acts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, along with other up-and-comers like Ratcat, Clouds, Tall Tales and True and The Falling Joys.
[2] In December 1989, Nic Dalton (The Plunderers) filled in on bass guitar as St. Clare, the regular bassist, took leave due to illness.
[6] They were freed from their contract after the May 1992 release, "You Just Gotta Know My Mind", with Dalton again deputising for St. Clare – who was pregnant with her and Holmes' son Milo.
[6] In 1993, The Hummingbirds made two EPs on the small independent label IV Recordings, Gone, (in February) and, Tail, (in July).
[5][6] The band found it hard to justify their move from a major label like rooART to the smaller IV Recordings, and broke up after the release of Tail.
They played their final show on 11 December 1993, at the Central Club Hotel in (Richmond) Melbourne, featuring Holmes, Russack, St. Clare and Melder.
The day before the show at the Manning Bar, the band played a short set for "Live at the Loft" on 2SER radio and were also interviewed by DJ Andrew Khedoori.
[12] A tribute night featuring many bands was held for Simon Holmes on 3 December at the Factory Theater in Sydney.