The Hissyfits originated in New York City during 1996 when vocalist and guitarist Princess took the initial step of assembling the group. Bassist Fon-Lin and drummer P-Girl completed the lineup, enabling the trio to perform across the local underground circuit and draw strong support from listeners. Their sound incorporated the sharpest edges of pop/rock while also reflecting influences drawn from punk-pop and alternative rock. The EP Wish You Were Here marked their first release in 1999. A compilation titled Wish, which gathered several of the band’s most significant songs, reached stores in the months that followed. Nationwide touring filled the next two years and preceded the arrival of their second full-length project. Letters from Frank, the group’s debut album, appeared in 2001 shortly before the first personnel shifts took place. Fon-Lin and P-Girl paused their involvement to pursue college studies, after which bassist Hallie Bullet, drummer Sivan Harlap, and viola player Karen Kanan Corrêa joined the roster. The Hissyfits soon entered an indefinite hiatus, and Harlap along with Corrêa later surfaced as members of the New York City trio Demander.
