Eels emerged from Los Feliz, California in 1995 as the primary creative vehicle for singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Oliver Everett, known professionally as E. The band, often functioning as a collective around E's singular vision, quickly garnered attention for its melancholic yet melodic blend of alternative rock, pop, and lo-fi aesthetics, distinguished by raw lyrical honesty and eclectic sonic textures. Their 1996 debut album, "Beautiful Freak," became their commercial breakthrough, propelled by the hit single "Novocaine for the Soul," which earned them an MTV Video Music Award and established their signature sound of beautiful despair.

The band's early lineup included bassist Tommy Walter and drummer Butch Norton, but Eels has always been fluid in its membership, with E serving as the sole constant. Their follow-up, 1998's "Electro-Shock Blues," was a deeply personal and harrowing song cycle inspired by the deaths of E's sister and mother, transforming profound grief into a critically acclaimed artistic statement. This period cemented Eels' reputation for tackling dark subject matter with poetic grace and inventive arrangements. The 2000 album "Daisies of the Galaxy" presented a slightly more optimistic, orchestral-folk counterpoint, showcasing the band's dynamic emotional range.

Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Eels maintained a prolific and consistent output, exploring various styles while retaining their core identity. Notable albums include the soul-infused "Blinking Lights and Other Revelations" (2005), a double-album epic, and the trilogy of "Hombre Lobo" (2009), "End Times" (2010), and "Tomorrow Morning" (2010), which explored themes of desire, loss, and renewal. Their music has frequently appeared in films and television, such as Shrek 2 and Yes Man, and the band developed a renowned reputation for its energetic and theatrical live performances.

E also authored a well-received memoir, "Things the Grandchildren Should Know," detailing his unconventional life and the tragedies that have informed his music. The band continued to release albums steadily, including "The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett" (2014), "The Deconstruction" (2018), and "Earth to Dora" (2020), each adding new chapters to their extensive catalog. As a project, Eels remains a unique and enduring force in alternative rock, celebrated for E's uncompromising autobiographical songwriting and the band's ability to find poignant beauty within life's struggles.