While attending Cascade High School in Everett Washington, Kevin Murphy started a punk rock outfit called the Familiars with drummer Jon Pontrello, bassist David Brown (later replaced by Robert Terreberry), and singer Jon Parks.
Phil Ek, notable for his albums with the Fleet Foxes, Modest Mouse, and Built To Spill, came on board to help mix as well as produce the first single "Empress of the North".
On August 13, 2013, the band released their third album, Adiós I'm a Ghost, Recorded at Bear Creek Studios with Ryan Hadlock.
In 2018 shortly after the release of A Love Sleeps Deep, (recorded with Erik Blood) Murphy parted ways with founding member Robert Terreberry.
The Moondoggies have toured with such bands as Dawes, Blitzen Trapper, Quiet life, Rose Windows, The Cave Singers, The Dutchess and the Duke, The Romeny Rye and The Head and the Heart.