Seattle's Crisis Party was founded in 1984, by singer Kenny Gordon and guitarist Tommy Hansen, along drummer Duff McKagan following the demise of Tommy and Duff's previous band, The Fartz.
Duff, who was also doing a short stint in Ten Minute Warning, soon left (going on to join Guns n Roses), and was replaced by Erick Erickson.

The band was more psychedelic infused pre-grunge than glam metal, but as singer Kenny Gordon and guitarist Tommy Hansen's influence became more dominant, Kevin Whitworth (guitar) and Tommy Simpson (bass), (who leaned towards a more psychedelic grunge sound) left to join Ron Nine's (ex Roomnine) new band Love Battery, along with with former Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters, in 1988/9 .

In 1989, guitarist Whiskey Ward Nelson, and bassist Stevie Groove were brought on board, and the band was signed by Metal Blade.
Following the release of their debut, Rude Awakening the band folded, in late 1990.