San Francisco sugar and spazz noise-pop band Deerhoof formed in 1994 from Nitre Pit guitarist Rob Fisk and drummer Greg Saunier. Their quirky No Wave sound was augmented in 1996 by the addition of Japanese singer and bassist Satomi Matsuzaki, who contributed a childlike timbre that makes or breaks many a potential Deerhoof fan. They released The Man, The King, The Girl in 1997 and Holdy Paws in 1999. Fisk then left to form 7 Year Rabbit Cycle, prompting Half Bird, a rarities album of material from their earliest years. John Dieterich took over guitar duties and recorded 2002's Reveille, the first of the band's albums to reach a sizable indie audience. Second guitarist Chris Cohen joined in time for 2003's Apple O. Milk Man, the band's 2004 album, was a concept album about a banana-wielding character drawn by artist Ken Kagami. An MP3-only record, Bibidi Badibi Boo, and EP Green Cosmos followed. In November 2005, Runners Four was released.