The band was formed by high school friends Tom Kazas and David 'Smiley' Byrnes, who lived in the beachside suburb of Maroubra, Sydney, Australia.

During 1982–3, Tom and David were part of the 1960s inspired Mod scene of the inner-city of Sydney, that embraced the sound of the 1960s British Blues Invasion with bands like the Yardbirds.

It was in the mod scene that Tom and David met harmonica-playing Nick Potts, whose large record collection included rare 1960s psychedelic music that became influential in shaping the future sound of the band.

Together with Nick and drummer Andrew Watson, the group played the formative gig in 1984 at The Freakout in the share-house in Darlinghurst Sydney, where future Moffs art director Ben Evison lived.

[2] Another Day in the Sun, with its flip side Clarodomineaux, was recorded in February 1985 at Paradise Studios Sydney and released in April.

This album had some of the band's best known songs of Tom's, e.g. Look to Find and I Once Knew, but also a lengthy improvisation taking on a more progressive feel, with King Crimson becoming a big influence.

The Moffs received new energy when Smiley's younger brother, Andrew Byrnes, who had quickly become quite accomplished on the drums, joined the band in 1986.

The band continued to gig in Sydney and Melbourne, while also touring Adelaide, Brisbane and some regional New South Wales venues.

Released in June 1988, Labyrinth was emblematic of the Moffs sound that incorporated episodic songs and arrangements, dynamic rock performances and minimalist repetitive motifs.

Many praised the album, with RAM saying; "Along with the Church and Not Drowning Waving, the Moffs have proved with Labyrinth to be the most sophisticated atmosphere conjurors in the country.

And if this isn't enough recommendation, all four players are so proficient that live, their complex arrangements and full scope of dynamics fuse with liberal sprinklings of improvisation to create what can only be described as magic."

However, in spite of the renewed attention and success, a lack of funds and management meant the Moffs were unable to travel to Europe and the UK to promote themselves.

[14][15] In 2018, Tom Kazas produced the compilation albums The Young Person's Guide and Trails to bring the band's music to the digital platforms.