Tinfoil was formed by Dave Harms and Cher Bibler, after performing at a poetry reading together. Within the next year they formed a band, recorded an album, and hit the road. The album, Tinfoil, did very well on college radio, charting on CMJ numerable times. The band became regulars in Bowling Green, Cleveland, and Columbus. In addition, Tinfoil was becoming a legend in their native area.

Tinfoil went back into the studio and recorded their highly controversial release, The Wayback Machine. Loved by many and abhorred by others, the album sold out in an amazing six months. The single, Bad Seed, became a hit on Toledo radio stations and was picked up by a Detroit record company for national release. Again the band hit the road adding new stops including, Findlay and Detroit. Tinfoil's reputation as a live band was growing as the stage theatrics grew to epic proportions.

The group returned with their South Central Tinfoil platter. They received airtime in Detroit and Canada, and all the copies of So