Singer/guitarist Ben McMillan began his career as the frontman for seminal Seattle grunge band Skin Yard, which cranked out four albums during his six-year tenure, and included future- producer and alternative rock linchpin Jack Endino (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, et al.) on guitar. In 1990, he drafted ex-Skin Yard drummer Norman Scott, guitarist Tom Niemeyer, and bassist Tim Paul to form Gruntruck.