The earliest known trace of the band was in 1999 as The Thumbs. The Thumbs made their one... and only... live appearance as an opening act for Idiot Box in August of that year.

The then-three-piece group consisted of Scotty B on vocals and guitar and Patrick Gary, Idiot Box trombonist, on bass. Their set was thrown together in one night, and it consisted of many would-be Moneyshot originals. They met their drummer the night of the gig. Does it get any more interesting than that? Yes, of course it does. Idiot Box went on to pick up Scotty B as their new vocalist; and after a year's-worth of high-steppin stage antics, Moneyshot - The American Boogie Gods was born.