Originally formed in 1999 by Guy McKnight (vocals), Andy Huxley (lead guitar), Marc R Norris (rhythm guitar), Symren 'Sym' Gharial (bass), and Tom Diamantopoulo (drums) the band were known for their large black car with flames on each side. The band themselves refer to the car as The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. The band's brand of gothic tinged heavy, psychedelic rock has been referred to as both Psychobilly and Gothabilly although the band themselves refer to their sound as 'Psychosis Rock'.

Although renowned for their intense live shows, the band have released three full-length albums, Horse of the Dog in 2002, The Royal Society in 2004 and Blood & Fire in 2010. The band have released eight singles on various formats, each release has had several b-sides included and so the band have a large amount of songs that cannot be found on their albums. All of the band's releases have been through their own record label No Death Records. The only other band signed to No Death Records were a little known band from New York named The Boogs. The Boogs' only release was a single entitled 'Palomino's Dream', released as a shared double A-side with The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster's fourth single 'Chicken'. A video was also made for 'Palomino's Dream' featuring The Boogs in their native New York and also playing a gig in a small venue in which The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster can be seen as heckling audience members.

Their single 'Mister Mental' from The Royal Society was featured on the soundtrack to the film Shaun of the Dead, the movie also contained posters and other references to the band. The band's music has also been used in a number of other TV shows, computer games and commercials and most notably of late in the current Nike football commercial to accompany the UEFA Euro 2012.

The band have played at both The Glastonbury Festival and The Reading and Leeds Festivals for several years running. They have also toured and supported many mainstream bands, including System of a Down, Placebo, Murderdolls, Queens of the Stone Age and Scars on Broadway.

Torie Biddle is following