American punk band formed 1979 in San Francisco, California, by Ted Falconi, Will Shatter, Steve DePace and Ricky Williams. After a few months Williams was replaced by Bruce Loose.

After releasing two classic albums, Album: Generic Flipper and Gone Fisin', the band had to go on hiatus in 1987, after the death of Will Shatter from a heroin overdose. In 1990 they got back together, recruiting new bassist John Dougherty. They released one more album called American Grafishy (on [l19048]), before disbanding abruptly in 1994, as Loose seriously injured his back in an accident. Dougherty also died from a heroin overdose in 1997.

In 2005, the band got back together, with Bruno DeSmartass at Dougherty's place. In 2006, Krist Novoselic became the group's bassist, and in 2009 they released their fourh album, Love. Loose retired from the band in 2015, giving his place to David Yow (of The Jesus Lizard). After the band's long-time friend Rachel Thoele filled in on bass for a while, Mike Watt took her place.