Plone are Billy, Mike and Mark. They formed in late 1996 in Birmingham, where they started gigging, supporting other local bands Broadcast and Pram. In September 1997 they released the single "Press A Key" after being approached by Keith Jenkins of Wurlitzer Jukebox. Snapped up by Warp on the strength of this single they introduced themselves with "Plaything" on the "WAP 100: We Are Reasonable People" compilation and played live at John Peel's Meltdown festival.

In September 1998 "Plock", their first single release for Warp, brought about much critical acclaim. Such reviews resulted in Plone being tipped for 1999 in publications as diverse as Muzik, Music Week, Dazed and Confused as well as being listed as one of the singles of 1998 by the NME and single of the year by the Melody Maker.

They began to build collections of old drum machines, analogue synthesisers and effects. Their musical influence came from music that has shown an imaginative and loose sense of technological experimentation whilst retaining a pop sensibility. Influences like Kraftwerk, John Barry, The Upsetters, The Beach Boys, Flying Lizzards, Suicide, Sun Ra, Joe Meek and 80's electro pop.