The Scavengers were one of the first New Zealand punk bands in the late seventies, most well- known locally for their songs 'Mysterex' and 'True Love'. The band moved to Melbourne in late 1978, renamed themselves Marching Girls and quickly became part of the inner-city punk/new wave band scene. The band were then managed by Terry Rogers who also promoted many punk nights at the Champion Hotel in Fitzroy.  

Marching Girls issued a single through Au Go Go Records in 1980 which featured a re-recorded version of The Scavengers’ ‘True Love' on one side and 'First in Line' on the other.  They also appeared on the punk anthology 'AK79' 1980 (which was expanded and reissued by Flying Nun Records in the early 1990s).

Marching Girls relocated to Sydney in the early 1980s, but only managed an EP release before it was all over. The band split for a while then reformed and continued on and off for some years, adding (and losing) several members. In 1983 New Zealand label RTC released a 4-track 12" titled 'Marching Girls', in 1985 the band released a 7" single titled 'Plain Jane' through EMI and another 7" single in 1987 titled 'Safe as Houses' through Polygram. Also in 1987 'True Love' featured on the 1986 cult film Dogs in Space, directed by Richard Lowenstein.

Brendan Perry later formed Dead Can Dance with Lisa Gerrard and Simon Monroe (aka Des Hefner) played briefly for The Birthday Party during the band's final tour of Australia and New Zealand. Monroe went on to play in a series of Melbourne-based acts including The Slaughtermen and The Fabulous Marquises among others. 

Marching Girls line-up included: Ronnie Recent (real name Brendan Perry) - Bass/Vocals, Johnny Volume (real name Johnny Cooke - Guitar  and Des Truction (real name Simon Monroe) - Drums. Later members were Debra Shulze - Vocals/ Keyboards/Percussion and Paula Sheldrake - Vocals/Bass.