The Saw Doctors were formed in 1986 by Leo Moran (a former member of defunct Tuam reggae outfit Too Much for the White Man), Davy Carton (formerly a songwriter and guitarist with short-lived Tuam punk band Blaze X), and local vocalist Mary O'Connor. The trio got their start playing small gigs in local venues such as Tuam's Imperial Hotel. O'Connor left the fledgling Saw Doctors the following year to emigrate to London; Carton and Moran added other musicians and carried on with the band.

Leo Moran and Davy Carton have been the only constant presences in the Saw Doctors' ever-shifting lineup. Past members have included singer, guitarist, and mandolin player John "Turps" Burke; bass player Pearse Doherty; keyboard and accordion player Tony Lambert; keyboard player and guitarist Derek Murray; and drummers Padraig Stevens, John Donnelly, Jim Higgins, and Fran Breen. The fluidity of the Saw Doctors' lineup in part accounts for the huge variety of musical influences -- including pop, punk, rock 'n' roll, and traditional Irish -- that make up the band's signature sound.

At present, the Saw Doctors are Leo Moran (vocals, guitar), Davy Carton (vocals, guitar), Kevin Duffy (keyboards), Anthony Thistlethwaite (bass guitar, saxphone), and Eímhín Craddock (drums).