Women in Docs were formed as Roz and Chanel, a folk pop music duo, in 1998 in Townsville. After a few gigs the host of a club they were performing at dubbed them Women in Docs referring to their footwear, Doc Martens. The duo were Chanel Marie Lucas on lead vocals, guitar,and bass guitar; and Roslyn "Roz" Pappalardo on lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar and harmonica. They had performed together since they were students at James Cook University, Townsville Campus. With friends they formed rock and roll covers bands 'Viridian' and later 'Sandwich Bar', and worked in North Queensland from offshore islands to inland mining camps.