Formed in 1980 in Portland, Oregon, by vocalist Jerry A (Lang). Within a year, the band's line-up consisted of drummer Dean Johnson, guitarist Tom Roberts (AKA Pig Champion) and bassist Glen Estes. The band was influenced by the like of The Germs, Black Flag, Discharge and SOA. Chris Tense replaced Glen on bass by the time of their 1983 debut EP, Pick Your King. This and its follow up, Record Collectors are Pretentious Assholes (featuring parts of Pig Champion's record collection on the cover), were both put out on the Fatal Erection label, run by Pig Champion and Malcom Conover from Eugene, Oregon.

In 1986, Poison Idea released the Kings of Punk LP on Pushead's Pusmort label. In the next few years, theirs line-up (mainly the rhythm section) changed several times.

By 1989, they started their own label, American Leather, and began by reissuing their 1982 demo. The band recorded the Discontent 7 with the line-up of Jerry A., Pig Champion, Myrtle Tickner and Thee Slayer Hippie (the second guitarist switched between Mondo and Aldine Strichnine). In 1990, they released the Feel the Darkness LP.

In the next three years, they put out several more records - two more full-lengths, some 7s and an LP collection of cover versions. When Pig Champion decided to leave the band in 1993, they split up. In 1996, the band briefly reformed and recorded a 7 for Taang!, who also reissued most of their early catalogue. An aborted tour in 1997 saw another break-up, followed by further reformations. In 2017 the group disbanded for good.

Members:
Jerry A - Vocals
Eric Vegetable Olson - Guitar
Brandon Bentley - Guitar
Chris Spider Carey - Bass
Mickey Widmer - Drums
Tom Pig Champion Roberts - Guitar
Chris Tense - Bass
Glen Estes - Bass
Dean Johnson - Drums
Jim Taylor - Guitar
Charles Myrtle Tickner Nims - Bass
Steve Thee Slayer Hippy Hanford - Drums
Craig Mondo Lower - Guitar, Bass
Kid Cocksman - Guitar
Aldine Strichnine - Guitar
Matt Brainard - Guitar
Andy Joe Spleen Kessler - Guitar
Rawbo Knox - Bass
Chris Cuthbert - Drums
Jeff Walters - Guitar
Natalie Lucio - bass
Gordon Scholl - Drums
Nathan Skinny Richardson - Drums