Rhythm-forward Washington, D.C. punk band Gauche was formed by members of other highly active bands like Downtown Boys and Priests. Far from a side project, their sound was heavy on dance grooves, saxophone, and shouty vocals, juxtaposing fierce political lyrics with party-ready instrumentals on their 2019 album A People's History of Gauche.

Originally made up of Jason Barnett, Perry Fustero, Cameron Hartofelis, Laurie Spector, Daniele Yandel, and Mary Jane Regalado, Gauche formed in the mid-2010s. The band's membership and instrumentation were fluid, with players switching instruments, but all the songs were written by core members Yandel (who was also busy as a full-time member of Priests) and Regalado (who played in Downtown Boys). This mercurial lineup of the band recorded their 2015 cassette release Get Away with Gauche. They toured frequently and solidified the band with the inclusion of saxophonist Adrienne C.N. Berry.

In 2016, a reshuffled lineup of the group worked on recordings for what would eventually become their first proper album. Fustero and Hartofelis had moved on, and new keyboardist Pearie Sol contributed to the sessions. The songs were finalized and slated for release on Merge Records as A People's History of Gauche in July 2019. While waiting for their album's release, the band scored an opening slot for the Bikini Kill reunion shows that happened that year. ~ Fred Thomas, Rovi