DFL was founded in 1991 by Tom "Crazy Tom" Davis, Monty "Monte" Messex, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Tony Converse. Michael "Mike D" Diamond, played drums briefly in DFL’s earliest incarnation.

DFL’s first release My Crazy Life was recorded at the Beastie Boys' G-Son Studios in Atwater Village on April 22, 1993. It was recorded by Beastie Boys producer Mario Caldato Jr (Mario C) and was released in 1993 on Grand Royal Records on 7" vinyl and CD. Spike Jonze shot the photographs for the vinyl release.

DFL’s bass and drum line-up went through a number of changes between 1993 and 1994. Tony Converse left the band and was replaced on drums by Amery "AWOL" Smith, of Suicidal Tendencies and the Beastie Boys. Tony rejoined DFL in 1994. Chris "Wag" Wagner, bass player for Mary's Danish, played with DFL briefly in 1993. As did Eugene Gore, violinist on the Beastie Boys Ill Communication release. Brian Baker of Minor Threat and Bad Religion, also played bass briefly during this time. In 1994, Tom Barta joined DFL on bass until the band broke up in 1997. In 1994 DFL signed a recording contract with Epitaph Records. In 1995 DFL released their second studio album Proud to Be."

Proud to Be was recorded at G-Son Studios and was produced by Adam Horovitz and Mario C. Proud to Be was released on 7" vinyl as Tony’s War. DFL released one video from Proud to Be for the song "Home is Where the Heart Is". DFL toured with Pennywise, Biohazard, Slayer, 7 Seconds, Sick of It All and Sublime, among others.

DFL recorded two songs for a series of compilations: one for Punk-O-Rama Vol. 2 called "ThoughtControl" and one for Generations I – A Punk Look at Human Rights called "Health Care for All Americans."

In 1997 DFL released their third full-length studio album, Grateful The album was recorded and produced by DFL at New Belleview Studios. Grateful included an instrumental track by Girl pro-skateboarder Paulo Diaz. Grateful was released on cassette tape as The Tape Show. The Tape Show included Grateful outtakes and alternate tracks, plus fan covers of DFL songs and other ephemera. After Grateful’s completion, DFL toured Brazil and Argentina. In April 1997 DFL broke up.