Like all truly great bands, The Grates began as a bit of a joke. John, Alana and Patience had known each other for, well, forever. John had heard Patience do karaoke before, so when she suggested they form a band, he was apprehensive to say the least. Dueting Alladin's 'A Whole New World' just didn't show her true abilities. But when they started jamming in John's garden shed, helped amply by his dad cooking a BBQ and bringing fresh beer, the exhilarating, charismatic style that has become The Grates' signature started to reveal itself.

The Grates were born under the moniker sparked by Patience's assumption that all 'The Greats' came from families with children born eight years apart (like Patience). Then someone gave her a miniature cheese grater on a key ring and the rest is the History of The Grates Part 2.