London-based group formed in 1992. Much of the story of the High Llamas is the story of Sean O'Hagan. Upon leaving Microdisney in 1988. O'Hagan then released a solo effort titled High Llamas, the title and album cover of which came from a magazine picture of a Victorian hot-air balloon. In 1992, O'Hagan formed the High Llamas and recorded the Apricots mini-LP, of which the JBM label took 5 of the 6 tracks, added 4 more and released it as the debut full-length Santa Barbara. Their next album Gideon Gaye met with high praise from critics upon its release in 1994. Since that time, the Llamas have been putting out avant pop records on a fairly consistent basis.