Initially known as The Kubas, the group was formed by former members of two other Liverpool groups, Ellis and O'Riley had been in the Thunderbeats while Morris and Leatherwood joined from the Midnighters.

They appeared to have made all the right moves - a stint at the Star Club in Hamburg late in 1963 which helped to tighten up their sound. They were signed by Brian Epstein as part of his NEMS stable. In 1965 they filmed a sequence for inclusion in the film "Ferry Cross The Mersey" which starred Gerry & The Pacemakers. In December 1965 they received their biggest break when Epstein booked them as a support act on The Beatles' final British tour.

In 1966 they changed record companies from Pye to Columbia and continued to play prestigious gigs, including appearances alongside The Who and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. In terms of record sales hoever, success continued to allude them. After flirting with the "psychedelic" sound and even releasing an LP, the Koobas called it quits late in 1968.