 The Axis of Awesome formed in 2006, their name being a play on the phrase "axis of evil" used by United States President George W. Bush.The trio were heavily involved in improv theatre at the University of Sydney and decided to try something different.The band played at a few stand up comedy nights and improv events in Sydney and performed a fortnightly segment on FBi Radio, but got their first big break when they released a number of rap parodies lampooning the 2007 Australian Federal Election.