The Quakes started in the fall of 1986 in Buffalo, New York. The original members were Paul Roman on guitar and vocals, Dave “the ace” Hoy on drums and Rob Peltier on upright bass. In the beginning The Quakes were playing neo rockabilly in the vein of The Stray Cats,Rockats and Polecats. Out of frustration with a lack of response locally,The Quakes started to play a lot faster and more aggressive adding punk elements to their music. The look went from pegged pants and bowling shirts to ripped jeans and combat boots. From that point on the band would be know as a psychobilly band.