Massive Wagons began in 2009 in their hometown of Lancaster, England with vocalist Barry Mills and guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite who were at the time on the local live circuit as part of indie rock band Ace Face (though with Mills on bass guitar). The duo decided to strike out with their own music of a harder hitting variety, with the stage show to match. The decision was influenced by the resurging popularity of hard rock acts of the time, primarily Airbourne and Black Stone Cherry and the duos lifelong affinity for classic rock acts such as UFO, Rainbow and Slade. Adams brother Alex was recruited on drums and old school buddy Adam Bouskill joined on bass, freeing Mills to focus on the role of frontman, the line-up was completed by Carl Cochrane on rhythm guitar. For a while the 5 piece was nameless until they jokingly adopted the nickname of a local barmaid for their first gig, only for the name to stick and become their official moniker.