Steven Brown and Blaine L. Reininger formed the experimental post-punk band Tuxedomoon while studying electronic music in San Francisco in the late '70s. Their theatrical live show utilized a cast of guest singers and side musicians, and made a splash in the Bay Area art-punk scene that also included the Residents. Their 1980 Ralph Records debut and its follow-up impressed critics excited by the juxtaposition of neo-classical composition, punk angst, sophisticated electronics, and id-driven, free-form joie de vivre. The band moved to Europe in the mid-'80s, where they released several albums, singles, and a ballet score. Although the original line-up has re-formed a few times since, the individual members have since focused mainly on solo projects, often calling upon the talents of their former band-mates.