Originated in Melbourne, Australia, art rock project HTRK -- pronounced "Hate Rock" (also known before as Hate Rock Trio) -- began performing in 2003. After their former group disbanded, bassist Sean Stewart and guitarist Nigel Yang recruited vocalist Jonnine Standish with aims to create a project inspired by Lynchian imagery, using very slow mechanical repetition (courtesy of an 808 drum machine and Jonnine playing percussion), simple groove-laden basslines, and highly textured guitar noise.