Starting as classmates at the University of San Diego, the group formed in the mid-1980s and began playing in the San Diego, CA area. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Poltz and Driscoll played as an acoustic duo in various coffeehouses and bars including the Blarney Stone Pub, Innerchange Coffee House, and Java Joe's. Poltz wrote most of the songs, with Driscoll and McMullin contributing several songs along the way. The group released several self-produced cassette tapes and was a local favorite in San Diego.