The Plateaus were founded by drummer Jon Greene (Barbarian, Lowlands), who also ran sound at local Art Fag events, alongside Kevin Gist (guitar, vocals), Elliot Moeller (bass), and Chris Rosi (guitar, vocals).
In summer 2011, they embarked on a national tour with locals Heavy Hawaii, wrapping up August 19 at Soda Bar. The hit the road again over the next two years, both solo and with Colleen Green. Recalls Chris Rosi, “One of our best shows was probably the the Noise Pop festival at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. It was a great bill, we played with the Fresh and Onlys and R. Stevie Moore. The worst was probably the show in Missoula Montana...it was at some DIY place at the edge of town. One person showed up, so we left and drove to Seattle where we had a kick ass show!”
After putting out several 7-inch records, Mario Orduno’s Art Fag Records label released their self-titled debut in late 2012.
In October 2013, a limited edition (500 copies) one-sided vinyl 10-inch was released on splattered vinyl, produced, recorded and mixed by Jon Greene at Electric Orange Studio and digitally mastered by David Gardener at Magneto Mastering. Label Mt. St. Mtn. has also released records by the Ohsees, Sic Alps, and the Mantles.
Around the same time, Kevin Gist co-founded Teenage Burritos, with Brian Carver (Spirit Photography), Kirsten Gundel, and Lucy Wehrly. Their full-length Something To Cry About was released in early 2018.
Jon Greene passed away November 8, 2016, at the age of 35.