Treepeople was born as a band in Boise, Idaho in 1988 when three members of the infamous Boise hardcore punk band State of Confusion (Scott Schmaljohn, guitar, Pat Schmaljohn, vocals & vertical leaping, Wayne Flower, bass) met a great young songwriter from Twin Falls, Idaho named Doug Martsch (vocals, guitar) while playing a show with his band Farm Days. State of Confusion disbanded, Pat switched to bass and Wayne to drums, forming the original lineup of Treepeople with Doug, whose more melodic influences and styles mixed with SOC's aggressive hardcore punk vibe in Scott Schmaljohn's songwriting, producing a unique sound that effectively embraced both styles without compromising either. The band relocated to Seattle in 1989 just before a music explosion hit in which they would exist just at the edge of, being at home playing with hardcore bands, poppy punk bands, or bands that later became known as 'grunge.' Known for their dueling, jigsaw puzzle guitar parts, angst-driven lyrics and driving rhythm section, they made a place in music history that would influence many bands to come, and endure well beyond their breakup in 1994.