Circus Lupus was formed by former Ignition bassist and Fury vocalist Chris Tomson in Spring, 1990, while he was in school in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. The original lineup released a 7" on Cubist Records (a label out of Pittsburgh), but the bass player left the band when they decided to move to Washington DC. He was replaced by Seth Lorinzi (ex-Vile Cherubs) and this line-up would stay together until 1993. Circus Lupus released two albums on Dischord