Deadboy frontman Dax Riggs comes from a metal background, having spent much of the '90s playing with the Louisiana-based Acid Bath. The band's bassist died in 1997, however, and an effort to continue the band without him was short-lived. Dax Riggs continued to play solo shows, eventually forming an early version of deadboy & the Elephantmen with a full lineup.

In 2004, percussionist Tessie Brunet was visiting her adopted parents when, on a lark, she played a gig with Riggs. Things went well, and Tessie ultimately decided to turn her back on the life she was leading in NYC to move back home to New Orleans. Brunet joined the band, Riggs scaled back the lineup, and deadboy became a duo.

Deadboy & the Elephantmen are currently signed to Fat Possum Records and released We Are Night Sky, their "debut" album as a duo, in February 2006.