Tre Cool, born Frank Edwin Wright III, grew up in the Mendocino Mountains where his father, a Vietnam veteran, raised him and his two siblings. Tre's dad built houses, including the house of Lawerence Livermore, founder of Lookout! Records. Lawrence was Tre's closest neighbour.
At twelve years old, he joined Lawrence's punk band, "The Lookouts". Tre Cool recorded an album with Lawrence and gigged regularly at Gilman St. (Lawrence Livermore's punk club). Tre Cool replaced John Kiffmeyer in 1989, when Kiffmeyer left for college.
Tre married his girlfriend Lisea Lyons in March 1995. Together they have a daughter, Ramona, and are divorced, but are still on good terms.