One of the earliest of the 80's Heavy Metal club bands to gain national media exposure, Bitch was formed in 1981 and quickly gained a large local following. They generated notoriety (in part) as a result of their live performances which included sadomasochism and bondage themes. They were also the first artists signed to Metal Blade Records and one of the first ever heavy metal bands to have a female lead singer, Betsy "Bitch" (Weiss). No stranger to making history, Bitch was also exposed to the national media during the Parents Music Resource Center (P.M.R.C.) hearings in the US Congress.

Shortly after the band was formed, the band met Brian Slagel who had recently formed Metal Blade Records, and was a friend of Bitch guitarist David Carruth. The original quartet included voclaist Betsy Weiss, Gutiarist Carruth, Mark Anthony Webb on bass and drummer Robby Settles. They signed for the label and released a self-financed EP entitled Damnation Alley (1982). During their early days, Bitch played some gigs with other metal groups such as W.A.S.P., Slayer and Armored Saint.

The following year, the group released their first full length album, Be My Slave. During the tour of the album, Bitch developed their controversial and elaborate stage shows; these included sadmasochistic elements: clothing with chains and whips, bondage acts with a 'slave' on stage.

Due to contractual problems, the group released their second album four years later: The Bitch Is Back (1987). Bitch became a target of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and Tipper Gore. The PMRC committee was formed in 1985 by four women: Tipper Gore (wife of Senator and later VP Al Gore), Susan Baker (wife of then Treasury Secretary James Baker), Pam Howar (wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howar) and Sally Nevius (wife of Washington City Council Chairman John Nevius)

The PMRC claimed that popular music, and especially hard rock, punk rock and heavy metal music, was partially responsible for the perceived contemporary increase in violence, rape, teenage pregnancy, and teen suicide. The group's mission was "to educate and inform parents" about "the growing trend in music towards lyrics that are sexually explicit, excessively violent, or glorify the use of drugs and alcohol," and to seek the rating of music.

Ironically enough, even though the PMRC meant to do damage to record sales of artists who made the songs with explicit lyrics, Bret Michaels of Poison, Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, and Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot all stated on VH1's "Heavy: The Story of Metal" that the PMRC was one of the best things to happen to rock music since it almost guaranteed that disgruntled children would buy the record in question as a way to rebel against their strict parents.

Bitch's albums, held in Tipper Gore's hands, were shown on talk shows and televised congressional hearings. (Gore and the P.M.R.C. are thanked in the liner note credits, because the band said the furor gave them some welcome free publicity.)

That same year, Betsy Bitch recorded a cover of fellow L.A. rockers The Tubes song "Don't Touch Me There" with Joey Vera and Lizzy Borden for Lizzy's mini album Terror Rising. The following year, the group decided to change their name to "Betsy" for commercial reasons, and released a self-titled album in 1988. The sound was more melodic and closer to hard rock in it's production values.

Subsequently, they produced another EP, A Rose By Any Other Name (1989), which contained songs for a new record but, due to internal disagreements, the group disbanded in 1990. They briefly reunited in 2003 for the Bang Your Head Festival. A live performance of "Live For The Whip" is included on the "Best of Bang Your Head" DVD.

The latest lineup of Betsy Bitch: vocals, Robby Settles: drums, István: guitar, Jay Dean: guitar and Steve Gaines: bass, is currently in the studio recording new material to be released later this year.