Initially called the Wild Hearts, the band originally included singers Snake (ex-Tobruk) and Dunken F. Mullett (ex-Mournblade), who both joined for short periods.

The Ginger/C.J./McCormack/Bam line-up released two EPs in 1992, Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go and Don't Be Happy...Just Worry, after which drummer Bam returned to Dogs D'Amour and was replaced by Stidi (Andrew Stidolph).

Stidi left the band shortly afterwards to be replaced by Ritch Battersby, just in time for the recording of the single "Caffeine Bomb", a UK chart hit at the beginning of 1994,[2] helped by a memorable video in which Ginger appeared to vomit into C.J.

[2] The mini-album included "Geordie In Wonderland", a song which Ginger had offered to Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United F.C.

[2] The track was performed on Top of the Pops with Wolfsbane's Jeff Hateley, painted in Toon Army colours, on mandolin.

Shortly after the album's release, Mark Keds of Senseless Things was drafted as second guitarist, but lasted just one recording session, in which he appeared on the B-sides for the single "Just in Lust".

An additional album of new material was never quite finished, although leaked copies were distributed as the Shitty Fuckin' Stupid Tracks bootleg.

These rare tracks were officially released by East West in 1998 as part of the Landmines and Pantomimes rarities compilation.

In early 2001 Ginger announced that he was reforming the Earth vs the Wildhearts lineup of the band for a tour later that year.

"Vanilla Radio" reached the top 30 in the UK singles chart, and in early 2003 work began on a full-length album.

In early 2005, Ginger dissolved the Wildhearts again to briefly join the Brides of Destruction before setting out on his own as a full-time solo artist.

Once again, the Wildhearts reformed in December 2006 and played a single live show at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton.

In January 2007, the band spent a week in Tutbury Castle recording vocals and finishing their new self-titled album The Wildhearts.

The video for the song was shot in black and white and featured a number of children, including Ginger's own son Jake.

Described by the band as "licensed but unofficial", the compilation consists of album tracks and B-sides from the 1992–1996 era at East West Records.

The band traveled to Denmark to record their ninth studio album, ¡Chutzpah!, which was released on 31 August 2009, followed by a tour of the United Kingdom in September and October.

[5] In 2010, Ginger joined as the guitarist for former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe, who played the Download Festival on 12 June 2010.

[7] Following this particularly with his renewed solo career, Ginger publicly stated a number of times on Formspring that he had absolutely no desire to revisit the Wildhearts and considered that period of his life over.

Despite this, Ginger announced in August 2012 that the most recent Wildhearts line-up will reform for a one-off appearance in December.

The band went on to play a number of shows in early 2013 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Earth vs the Wildhearts.

[16] Six months after the album's release on 11 March 2022, the Wildhearts announced via social media that they were taking another hiatus due to "ongoing issues within the band".

[18] In early 2024, Ginger announced another new line up of the Wildhearts with returning bassist Jon Poole, guitarist Ben Marsden, and drummer Pontus Snibb; with a world tour scheduled for mid-year.