Influenced by '80s synth pop, early '90s alternative, and late '90s post-hardcore, First Wave Hello formed in 2004, beginning as an experimental/electronica project. According to their website, they "balance '80s style geek rock à la the Cars with the whimsical wit of modern wise guy's Mellowdrone or the Faint." Ken Andrews (Failure, Year of the Rabbit, ON) did production work on the band's first full-length album in 2006, The Lord and Its Penguin.

The group was nominated for a 2006 San Diego Music Award for Best Local Recording, touring the states that year with contemporaries Hot Like a Robot, and twice more in 2007 as opening support/backing band for Ken Andrews. Their 2007 album God Bless, Devil You was less influenced by the space rock sound that was heavily present on their previous effort.

First Wave Hello decided to call it quits in 2008. Keyboardist/singer Dan Reed has also played with Counterfit. Sarah Milan is also known from Lily White and Velcro.