In 1982 Bjelland moved to Portland, Oregon. There she formed a series of bands. The Neurotics was the first. In 1981 Bjelland started Sugar Babydoll with her friend Courtney Love. Bjelland and Love made a new band called Pagan Babies around 1985. They made a demo tape of four songs. Bjelland wrote songs inspired by the punk rock band Frightwig. Love said, "you're never going to get anywhere playing that punk rock noise" and left the band. In 1986 Bjelland started The Italian Whorenuns.