Siblings Beth and Jay Sorrentino began making music from about the age of five. In their Lancaster, Pennsylvania, home, Jay would play drums while Beth sat at the piano. Bassist Ken Heitmuller also began playing early. The trio formed suddenly, tammy! and recorded two EPs in their basement studio. With the absence of a guitar player, the band provided a fresh sound to indie-pop. Both Spokesmodel and El Presidente were well-received, especially in the College Music Journal. Indie label spinArt's first release was the group's own full-length debut. The self-titled album did well and earned suddenly, tammy! a spot supporting Suede. Signed to Warner Bros. in 1994, the band recorded throughout the summer with producer Wayne Livesey and released (We Get There When We Do) in 1995.