Portly Portland Punks led by the large girths of vocalist Jerry A. and the suitably named Pig Champion (real name Tom Roberts) on guitar. POISON IDEA, rounded off by bassist Chris Tense and drummer Dean Johnson, was founded in 1981. An independent album 'Pick Your King' sufaced in 1985 followed the year after by 'Kings Of Punk'.

POISON IDEA added to their collective weight by pulling in second guitarist Vegetable (real name Eric Olsen) from MAYHEM but lost Johnson. The drummer's place being taken by Steve' Thee Hippy Slayer' Hanford. Tense was also out shortly after was was succeeded fleetingly by FAIR WARNING's Tim Paul, later of GRUNTRUCK. The position finally settled with another former MAYHEM man Mondo occupying the slot for 1987's 'War Of All Time'.

The line-up witnessed further ructions as Vegetable and Mondo decamped. New recruit was former OILY BLOODMEN bassist Myrtle Tickner. This version of POISON IDEA recorded a version of THE GO GO'S 'We Got The Beat'. Predictably, stability was not forthcoming and ex-GARGOYLE man Kid Cocksman ousted Vegetable. His tenure was short though as Cocksman in turn was disposed of in favour of MAIMED FOR LIFE man Aldine Strychnine.

In 1989 the American Leather label published the 11 track EP 'Darby Crash Rides Again' comprising of archive 1982 demos. Mondo returned for 1992's 'Blank, Blackout, Vacant' album. Product was issued rapid fire as the band teamed up with JEFF DAHL for the 'Jeff Dahl And Poison Idea' album on Triple X Records.

The Same Year's 'Pajama Party' was a caustic collection of irreverant cover versions that included UFO's 'Doctor Doctor', MOTȪRHEAD's 'Motörhead', BOOKER T. & THE MGS 'Green Onions', the DAMNED's 'New Rose' and MC5's well worn warhorse 'Kick Out The Jams'.

POISON IDEA folded as Johnson and Tense founded Punk act APARTMENT 3G for the 1994 'New Hope For The Dead' album. The same year Oakland Metallers MACHINE HEAD covered 'Alan's On Fire' as an extra track for their 'Burn My Eyes' album.

Jerry A. features as part of the 'Hardcore concept' album project S.W.A.T. for the 1994 album 'Deep Inside A Cop's Mind. The singer also created GIFT with his wife and DESTROY ALL BLONDES member May May Del Castro and WIPERS drummer Sam Henry for the 'Multum In Parva' album.

Jerry A. and Pig Champion reformed the band in 1996 releasing 'Pig's Last Stand' on the Sub Pop label. POISON IDEA's vocalist turned up in 1997 guesting on MILLIONS OF DEAD COPS 'I Don't Want To Hurt You Dude' single.