Singer/songwriter Jessie McKenna began singing along to her mom's Suzanne Vega tapes at four and wrote her first song, now lost to history, at six. By age thirteen, Jessie had an electric bass she played like a rhythm instrument, and began writing what would become a catalog of dozens of thoughtful, melodic rock songs ranging from lighthearted to darkly beautiful, sometimes within the same song.

In the summer of 2002, Jessie put together a band in an attempt to bring her songs to life, ans soon after, Jessie's mom, Marti McKenna, joined the group on backing vocals. By the summer of 2003 the band prepared to go into the studio for the first time. Performing as Jessie McKenna and Her Band (JMaHB), the lineup included Ricochet Biscuit members Ric Neil, Brian Ochs, and Evan Middlesworth, and produced the Deluded EP (recorded at Hype Schwartz). In January of 2004 the McKenna girls split off to perform as an acoustic act. They became Ruby Shuz in July of 2004.

Bassist Brandon Koeller joined the band in the summer of 2005, bringing a spirit and enthusiasm that, along with his solid bass lines, fuels the band's fire on stage.

Soon after joining the band, Brandon brought drummer Ben Anderson into the mix. A member of the Seattle Seahawks Drumline, Ben's dynamic beats and humor drive the music and stir the band's chemistry during every performance.

In early 2006, Andrew Benton joined the band on lead guitars. Today, his guitar work is an integral part of each Ruby Shuz song.