The Quakes started in the fall of 1986 in Buffalo, New York.The original members were Paul Roman on guitar and vocals, Dave "the ace" Hoy on drums and Rob Peltier on upright bass.In the beginning The Quakes were playing neo rockabilly in the vein of The Stray Cats,Rockats and Polecats.Out of frustration with a lack of response locally,The Quakes started to play a lot faster and more aggressive adding punkelements to their music. The look went from pegged pants and bowling shirts to ripped jeans and combat boots.From that point on the band would be know as a psychobilly band.In the fall of 1987, The Quakes sold all their possessions and moved to London England. London was ground zerofor the psychobilly scene at that time.The band landed a spot on a psychobilly festival in Weize, Belgium.Upon returning to England, the band was stopped at customs and they were deported because they didn't have work permits.The Quakes went on to do tour of Belgium and Germany supporting the Coffin Nails in early 1988.It was during thistime that The Quakes were signed by Nervous records in London to record a full length album.The band was living in London when their first self titled album was recorded. It was released in June of 1988.The album was very raw and had a style all its own. Popular songs from this album included "Pack our bags and go"and " Psychobilly Jekyll & Mr. Hyde".During the summer of 1988, The Quakes played around London at places likeDingwalls and the Klubfoot.Upon his return to Buffalo,Dave "the ace"Hoy was killed when he was struck by a car crossing a highway.His death occurred a week before his 18th birthday.In the fall of 1989 the Quakes reformed with Chris Van Cleve on drums. Van Cleve had been a member on and off andwas a part of Roman and Hoy's previous bands.The Quakes were invited to play at the first and second Big Rumble festivals in England and did some small tours inEurope before recording another album