Formed in 1988 by lead vocalist "Biff" (Nigel R Mitchell), percussionist / backing vocalist "Audrey" (Audrey Mitchell), guitarist "Jez" (Jeremy Smart) and drummer Rob Sharples, the band's membership changed and expanded when the founders (except Rob) relocated to L.A. and were joined in 1992 by "Jeff Stacy" (Jeffery Calamusa) (bass), Craig Van Sant (drums) and "Dék" (Derek Pippert) (keyboards / MIDI samples).

[2] Following a relaunch in 2010, permanent members of Tunnelmental have consisted of only Nigel and Derek as a core duo, with collaborations by various guest vocalists and musicians.

Following exploratory visits to the U.S. and productive music industry discussions, the Tunnelmen debut vinyl / CD album "Defeat the Inefficiency of Crashing", produced by Chris "Salty" Sellars, on the Nate Starkman & Son label was released in 1991.

Rob left the band as the three other members (Nigel, Audrey and Jeremy) then relocated to L.A.[5] On arrival in L.A. the founding members quickly came to know another recently formed 8-piece alternative-pop band called "Heat Your Shack",[6] the core of which comprised bass player "Jeff Stacy" (Jeffrey Calamusa), drummer Craig Van Sant and "Dék" (Derek Pippert) on vocals who also provided music engineering, along with 2 guitarists, a midi-horn player and a female vocalist.

The "Heat Your Shack" core group then joined "Tunnelmental" whilst retaining membership of their original band, indeed both acts would subsequently perform gigs supporting each other.

[citation needed] The expanded "Tunnelmental" line-up consisting of Biff and Audrey on vocals, Jez on guitar, Jeff on bass, Craig on drums and Dék on keyboards and providing MIDI samples produced the CD EP "The Demise of Regressive Existence" in 1992, released on Fundamental Records.

This featured Tim Hays on bass and Kevin Bourque on percussion (replacing Jeff and Craig) and included Joe Reyes on guitar.

[citation needed] During this time the band set up and ran a club called The Auditorium[10] on Hollywood Boulevard, which hosted various live music acts.

Since the 2010 'relaunch', permanent members of Tunnelmental have consisted of only Nigel and Derek as a songwriting, production and performance duo, with collaborations with various guest vocalists and musicians, including Joe Reyes, Tracy Lee Skull, Emily Moultrie, Nicole Whitney Wolf, Patricia Strong, Angie M Garcia and Chuck Askerneese.

[18] A new single "Defending the Dreamers"[19] was released in January 2011 with additional remixes by "Radio Riddler" (Brian Leiser and Frank Benbini from Fun Lovin' Criminals) and "Dekvanhype" (Derek Pippert).