[1][2] They began as a surf rock unit who played primarily instrumentals, eventually modifying their name to the Rockin' Ramrods.

Their original lineup consisted of Bill Linnane guitar and keyboards, Vin Campisi on guitar, Bob Blake on bass, and Butch Holmes on drums, but in 1963 Vin Campisi's brother Ronn replaced Blake on bass and Bob Henderson became the group's drummer.

[3] In 1964 as instrumental groups lost favor after the onset of the Beatles and the British Invasion, the Rockin' Ramrods switched to the practice of using vocals in most of their songs.

[1] In April of that year, the band cut a single featuring the grinding protopunk of "She Lied," written by Bill Linnane and Ronn Campisi, for Bon-Bon Records, backed with "The Girl Can’t Help It.

"[2][3][4][5] Guitarist and keyboardist Linnane was largely responsible for the group's hard-driving early sound,[2] In the Fall of 1965, they opened for the Rolling Stones, along with the Blue Belles Vibrations.