Mi-Sex evolved from the band Fragments of Time, a band which itself formed from members of earlier bands Father Thyme and Think. The band centred on a trio of performers: Steve Gilpin (vocals), Murray Burns (keyboards), and Kevin Stanton (guitar/vocals).

Gilpin had earlier performed in New Zealand in a singer-songwriter mode, and had won the Television New Zealand talent quest New Faces in 1972 (second place in the same show was Shona Laing). Invercargill-born Burns was influenced by progressive rock bands such as Yes, whereas Stanton's influences veered towards heavy metal.