The band initially consisted of Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Jools Parker, and Michelle Plum, with Becky Mills replacing Plum in 2005, all of whom also worked as solo artists, and they took their name from a song on the Kate Bush album Hounds of Love.
[1][2][3] All acoustic guitarists and vocalists, the band cited jazz, rock, and folk influences, as well as pop acts such as Coldplay and Kate Bush.
[1][5] They appeared at several major UK festivals including Glastonbury,[2] Trowbridge and Cambridge.
[7][8][9] Boys from the Abbattoir featured guest contributions from former Big Country guitarist Bruce Watson and Claire "Fluff" Smith from The Incredible String Band.
[10][12] They reunited without Parker for a one-off performance in February 2010 at a fundraiser for the DEC's Haiti earthquake appeal.