Spook and the Guay was formed in 1990 in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, by an instrumental section comprising Niko Birotheau, Pierre Talavera, Jean, Bruno, Julien, and Seb, who were later joined by vocalists Xavier Couderc and Fabrice. The band played alternative rock mixed with reggae, ragga, and ska, releasing a six-track cassette in 1994 and a four-track CD in 1996 through Mr. Loyal. Their debut studio album, Mi Tierra (1998), was issued on the Italian independent label Gridalo Forte and recorded at Le Chalet studio between August 2, 1997 and August 26, 1997, selling 15,000 copies. They followed with Ocho rios (1999), also recorded at Le Chalet between August 2, 1999 and September 19, 1999. After launching their own production company and signing with Virgin France, they released the live album Spook and the Guay en concert (2001) and their final studio album, La Vida sonora, in June 2002. The group disbanded in 2005, with several members later forming Boom Club.
