The Controllers were formed in July 1977 by Kidd Spike, Johnny Stingray, and Gaye Austin. The band continues with Kidd Spike and Johnny Stingray as principal members and songwriters. They were joined later that summer (1977) by D.O.A. Dan Davis.The Controllers, and Hillary Dillary on drums. In September 1977, they became part of the rapidly growing punk rock community centered around Brendan Mullen's underground club, The Masque. The Controllers were the first band to play an advertised show at The Masque and the last to play there in any form in 1996 at a record release party, held by Exene Cervenka for the release of the Masque Benefit Tapes.
The band line-up for the fall of 1977 consisted of Kidd Spike, guitar, Johnny Stingray, guitar, D.O.A. Dan, bass, Charlie Trash, drums. They were contracted to produce a record with legendary punk producer, Chris Ashford for his seminal punk label, What? Records[1] in December 1977.
They were managed by the fluxus artist Al Hansen, known for pushing a piano out a window in wartime France.