The Kelley Deal 6000, or TKD6K, was started in 1995 by Kelley Deal, former lead guitarist for The Breeders. The band's original name, Solid State, was taken from the cosmology of the Arica cult. "They believe there are various states of life, 'State One' and 'State Two' all the way up to 'State 6000' which is like Nirvana." Kelley explained. The band's original line-up included Kelley on guitar and vocals, Marty Nedich on bass, Steve Salett on guitar, and Nick Hook on drums. Sugar Altar features collaborations with Jimmy Flemion (the Frogs) and Grifter Dave Shouse.
After turning down several record offers from major labels, Kelley decided to put out their first album on her own label, Nice Records. The songs on Go To The Sugar Altar draw on Kelley's rehab experience at the Hazelton Clinic in Minnesota. Soon after recording the album, the band changed their name to The Kelley Deal 6000, after receiving a letter from another band who claimed to hold legal rights to the name 'Solid State'.
With the release of Sugar Altar, the band headed out to tour the United States and then Europe. During the European tour the band went through a number of guitarists, ultimately ending up with Todd Mund, the band's manager, on guitar. In February of 1997, TKD6K headed to the studio to record their second album, Boom! Boom! Boom!. During this time, Nick Hook left the band and Todd Johnson (formerly the merchandise vendor) replaced him on drums. The album was released in August 1997.
