KXLU DJs; Chris Gunst-guitar/vocals (Beachwood Sparks, Mystic Chords of Memory) and Jimmy Tamborello-bass/vocals (Dntel, Figurine, The Postal Service) started the band with Jimmy's brother, Brian on drums (Psychic Ills) in 1994. Koji Motonishi joined to play guitar in 1995 as Brian left for college; so they got Ian MacKinnon (fellow KXLU DJ) to play drums. Koji left in 1996, replaced by Paul Larson-guitar/vocals (Athalia, gtr for Dntel, The Minor Canon, The Georgia Sand, Datamaps). 
The Hide Here Forever LP came out in 1997. Jose Salguero (KXLU), joined to DJ their live shows and they added Jimi Hey-drums/keyboards (Beachwood Sparks, Ariel Pink, All Night Radio, Indian Jewelry, Devendra Banhart). In 1998, Jimmy LaValle (The Album Leaf/Tristeza) began playing keyboards at live shows. Ian left that year, replaced by Chris Hathwell (The Festival Of Dead Deer) on drums. They broke up in 1999, but members have continued to make music together. 
Dubbed "Enocore" by the press and fans at the time, due to their Brian Eno-like soundscaping merged with the sounds of hardcore."–Greg Prato/Rovi 
"Strictly Ballroom didn't really get out of California much but they were a fairly influential part of the local music scene while they were around. Suffice to say, there's an odd crew of folks who were all really close and involved in this little scene who all went on to do relatively interesting stuff."–Tony Kiewel, President of Sub Pop Records/DiS Email: ian@cooladjacentmanagement.com