Originally formed during 1995, the multi-membered group (featuring guitars, sampler, bass, drums, plus male and female vocalists), is led by eccentric leader/multi-instrumentalist Seth Quankmeyer Faergoalzia (aka Dufuseth). Many different members have passed through the ranks of Dufus since their inception, including alt-folk artist Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson from the Moldy Peaches, and one-hit wonder Imani Coppola. Faergoalzia did not completely begin focusing on Dufus until 1998, after he dropped out of college and relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Becoming a self-described ‘hermit’ during this time, Faergoalzia recorded an obscure album with fellow NYC folk experimentalist Lach, titled Pip. Several self-released, now out-of-print, recordings followed (Our First Born, Eee*lai*font, This Revolution, and Neuborns) before the band signed with indie label ROIR, and issued 1:3:1, in 2003.

Besides performing and recording with Dufus, Faergoalzia is involved in several other projects, including Dorkestra (Dufus with a variety of orchestral instruments, Doofamily (comprised of previous bandmates passing through at the time), and a musical theatre ‘experiment’ called Fun Wearing Underwear. Despite their unpredictability, Dufus has built a large fanbase that has stretched far beyond their New York City home base.