Michael Knott, the founder of Lifesavers Underground, launched his musical project in California, blending post-punk, gothic rock, and alternative rock sounds. In 1987, the group released their debut studio album, Shaded Pain, on Frontline Records, followed by Wakin' Up the Dead in 1989 and This Is the Healing in 1991, with the latter featuring a drum machine and Knott performing most of the instruments himself. His first rock opera, The Grape Prophet, arrived in 1992 under the name L.S. Underground, and in 1993, he released Cash in Chaos: World Tour, announcing a name transition for the group to Cash in Chaos. Subsequent LSU albums included Grace Shaker in 1994, Bring It Down Now in 1995, and a second rock opera, Dogfish Jones, in 1998. The project's discography was later expanded with the albums Finding Angel in 2001 and PTSD under the name L.S. Underground in 2010.
