Longstocking was formed primarily as a songwriting outlet for L.A. based guitarist Tamala Poljak in 1995. After performing in noise/punk units Oiler and Fleabag, Poljak wanted to explore the more pop-side of their songwriting abilities, and so with drummer Kevin Hair, they recorded a nine song 4-track demo and started playing small shows around Los Angeles as a duo in mid-1995.

Slowly building a small following based on their impressive songwriting abilities and intense performances, Longstocking grew into a full band with the addition of former Oiler bandmate David Gomez and guitar player Natalie Wood in 1996. Hair exited the band that year and was replaced by Sherri Solinger.

Two 7" singles and a handful of compilation appearances materialized in 1996, and with the addition of Michelle Stevenson (replacing Wood) in 1997, the band recorded and released their debut album Once Upon a Time Called Now on Chainsaw Records. Around this time Poljak moved from Los Angeles to Olympia, WA which made it more difficult for the band to perform or record. Unfortunately only two more official releases were to follow, a 7" on K Records and a split 7" on Sub Pop Records with Team Dresch.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Poljak started a new project called The Automaticans which seemed promising, but only issued one split 7" with Team Dresch on Chainsaw Records before splitting.

Poljak was also a member of The Infinite Xs, a super-group of sorts featuring members of Team Dresch, The Little Deaths, and Fighter D, who released their debut album The Infinite Xs in 2002.