The Tuna Helpers (often, but not always, spelled TheTunaHelpers on albums and promotional materials) was an all-female American indie gothic psychedelic art folk rock band based in Austin, Texas from 2000–2007, noted for their elaborate puppetry in their stage shows and rich textures including diverse vocals, strings, trombone, and percussion.

[3] The TunaHelpers toured the U.S and Canada sharing the stages with such as Nina Hagen, TeamDresch, The Aisler Set, The Dresden Dolls, Faun Fables, Lydia Lunch, The Frogs, Adam Green, Lesbians on Ecstasy, Gretchen Phillips, Electrelane, and Bettie Serveert.

The nautical theme continued with the band members' album credits as Adrienne the Anemone, Bethany the Barracuda, and Khattie the Katfish.

"Vanity Girl" of Citizen Snob found that the music lost little more than Bethany's sign language when stripped away from the stage show.

She described it as "akin to watching children play--equal parts innocence, malice, curiosity, fear, and bravado," and said that as much on album as live they would remain one of her favorite bands.

[3] Shannon Lavine of The Propagander said "they incorporate current subject matter with old-fashioned folklore" and "Let them play for your two year old on her birthday",[3] while several reviewers[6] noted the prurience of "Bicycle", including The Austin Chronicle.

"[7] The album also contains a performance of Stephen Foster's "Old Folks at Home" including a surrealistic interlude written by the band fraught with food metaphors and imagery from the Easter story.

Although both Sneeds were ill at this performance requiring Quinones to emcee, which none of the members were happy with, Spruance loved the show, and a month later e-mailed that they were in the Web of Mimcry.

"[2] Reviewers frequently favorably compared the band with Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Throwing Muses, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Roches, and Rasputina.