Henry Garfield was part of the original skater clique that made up the core of the early DC hardcore scene, but early on his participation was limited to being a roadie for the Teen Idles, which featured his close friend Ian MacKaye. When MacKaye formed Minor Threat, his follow up act to the Teen Idles, he swiped Lyle Preslar from the band the Extorts. The Extorts had played only one show before Lyle, the band's singer, left. Jumping at the chance to launch his own musical venture, Henry and the remaining Extorts, guitarist Michael Hampton, bassist Wendel Blow, and drummer .