Prior to the formation of the band, lead vocalist Lydia Night met guitarist Genessa Gariano, bassist Sage Chavis, and drummer Maxx Morando in music school.[2][3] At the time, Gariano, Chavis and Morando were in a band together,[7] called "Genessa"[8] and Night was in the two-piece band Pretty Little Demons (who changed their name to The Regrettes in the last few months of life) with drummer Marlhy Murphy. Both of the bands played a concert together, but soon after[9] Murphy departed from the band after the release of their EP "Hey!" on October 16, 2015,[10] leading to Night asking Gariano, Chavis, and Morando to join. The "Hey!" EP came to the attention of a representative at Warner Brothers, which would eventually led to them signing the band.[11] In 2016, the band toured with both Tacocat and Sleigh Bells, opened for Kate Nash, and performed at South by Southwest.[2][12][13]
In 2015, the band's independent release led to a record deal with Warner Bros. Records.[14] Their first album was produced by Mike Elizondo and their first single, "A Living Human Girl", was released in June 2016.[15]
Other singles followed including "Hey Now", "Hot", and "Seashore."[16][17] On January 13, 2017, the band released its debut studio album, Feel Your Feelings Fool!.[1] In May 2017, the band announced a summer headlining tour which includes stops at Summerfest and Riot Fest.[6] On February 9, 2018, the band released the single "Come Through," from their EP Attention Seeker, released on February 23, 2018.[18] It was accompanied by a music video. On May 9, 2018, the band announced Morando's departure.[19] On May 22, 2018, the tour bus containing all their belongings was stolen from outside the Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, UK where they later played a sold-out gig.
[20] On May 31, 2018, the band contributed the sixth Hamildrop, a cover of the song "Helpless". Lin-Manuel Miranda credited producer Mike Elizondo as having suggested the idea.[21] On September 3, 2018, the band announced Sage Chavis' departure,[22] being replaced by Violet Mayugba.[19]
2018–2023: How Do You Love?, Further Joy, and disbandment
On November 28, 2018, the band announced the departure of Mayugba and recruitment of Brooke Dickson as their new bass player.[23] From February 6 to March 17, 2019, The Regrettes were the opening act of Twenty One Pilots' European leg of The Bandito Tour.[24] On June 18, 2019, the band announced their second studio album, How Do You Love?. The album was released on August 9, 2019.[25]
The Regrettes released their third studio album, Further Joy, on April 8, 2022.[26]
On November 14, 2023, the band announced that they were splitting up to "work on other projects." In tandem, they announced a farewell show at the Fonda Theater on December 21, 2023.