Formed in Copenhagen, Denmark but really gelled in Cologne, Germany at the 1996 POPKOMM festival when Patricia, playing with Peanut Pump Gun, met Kim Nekroman, who was playing with Nekromantix. They bonded over a mutual affection for the sounds of Blondie, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, surf, punk, ska, and good ol’ rock ‘n roll. They taught each to play the other’s instrument and pledged to write songs that held no loyalty to any particular style a principle HorrorPops incorporates into its sound to this day.

In 1999, two songs, “Ghouls” and “Psychobitches Outta Hell,” from HorrorPops’ 7-song, press kit-only demo, found popular affection on the Copenhagen club circuit and the band bolstered its lineup with the addition of ghoulish go-go dancers. They continued to play to fervent crowds throughout Europe and Scandinavia, then recorded what became Hell, Yeah! Upon hearing it, friend and Hellcat honcho Tim Armstrong, promptly signed the band.