King’s X was formed in 1985 in Texas as a Christian rock band, despite Pinnick’s homosexuality. The band’s name was reportedly borrowed from another King’s X, which featured the brother of Sam Taylor the band’s manager. The group had its roots in the cover band The Edge which was formed four years earlier. The group has consistently received praise for its blend of progressive and hard rock, yet never managed to achieve a commercial breakthrough. The band was signed early on by Johnny Zazula for his Megaforce label. The former label manager for Anthrax and Metallica had shifted his signing policy to what he believed would be the wave of the future after declaring alternative rock to be the music that would replace metal. Megaforce would go bankrupt before the turn of the century.

Atlantic Records distributed Megaforce and King’s X would sign directly to the major label for 1992’s self-titled record. The band would issue a video compilation in 1991 and contribute music to Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey film starring Keanu Reeves. Dogman would feature a Jimi Hendrix cover and come in different cover colours. The group would play at Woodstock ’94. Tape Head would mark the start of the band’s relationship with Metal Blade. During this period the three members would form solo bands and perform outside the group, although they would often contribute to each other’s outings. Ogre Tones would be the first record on InsideOut Music. Doug Pinnick would temporarily front the reunited Living Colour in the summer of 2006 for select shows. King’s X’s XV album was due in May, 2008 through Inside Out. It was produced by Michael Wagener. The album was initially dubbed Go Tell Somebody.