However, the remaining two members, Erin Morton and Lynn Vare took time to think about what they wanted to do as a band.
Then along came John Dodd, bassist.
"We had so many songs and ideas, it was really very natural to carry on developing Delgirl and our music. We've been really fortunate to have someone of John Dodd's calibre want to join Delgirl. He is a great singer and musician and brings a new dimension to the band - we are loving it."
So the rumours are true. Delgirl is no longer a girl band.
The new Delgirl hit the studio late last year and the result, Freaky Pea, has just been shelled.
"We had an idea on tour in February 2010, for a wee EP of songs that hadn't made it to the last two albums - sort of `freak' songs. We made a freaky person out of flotsam and jetsam on a beach we were staying beside in Greymouth, and so Freaky Pea, the 'freak' EP was born."
The two original members believe keeping the name is a good idea, for giggles especially.
"Actually, a group of 40-year-old women never really were girls anyway," they say. "John just adds to the irony!"
• Catch them
Delgirl's new EP Freaky Pea is being celebrated with two shows: one at the Luggate Hotel tomorrow, before one at the Carey's Bay Hotel, next Sunday, March 13. Both begin at 4pm.
Tonight Refuel hosts "It's not real" featuring Haszari, SoNic Smith, and Stranger Danger.
SoNic Smith has been playing around the traps for a few years now and says his sound has come a long way since messing about with an Atari as a young fellow.
"Just like back in 1993, my music is still heavily influenced from TV and pop culture samples. I think I am true to my sound as much now, but the songs I make today are probably more popular to a wider audience. I went through a huge phase of trying to copy dance music styles - 'My music is dumb 'cos it doesn't sound like that'-type of mentality.
"I think as soon as I got over that my production really improved. I think it holds a lot of people back. Produce electronica that comes from the heart. If your heart is digital it makes it a lot easier," he says.
Smith says new Dunedin record label Cartoon Beats should provide a treat for rave fans.
"Cartoon Beats is bringing the rave back to the masses. This will be a heaps-fun party night. Great new location, fun people. Good tech music to dance to. Expect a fantastic lighting show courtesy of sumosystem.com."
Smith says they are the guys you go to if you want laser beams "attached to your sharks for world domination". "There's also gonna be mega-rad Cartoon Beats visuals projected around the place for your viewing pleasure."
Smith is from a musical family. Older brother Tim was a founding member of Rockquest-winning Logan Park High School band Carriage H, while his mum played music in Dunedin bands in the 1980s.
"I know my mum was playing a lot of music when I was young [1980s] but I think I spent most of my time trying to avoid it. It was pretty good when I look back. I was exposed to a lot of musical people, and we always had instruments in the house. My mum and Tim used to sing Jonathon Richman in the car and they would often laugh if I tried to join in ... I was pretty tone deaf as a youngster.
" I think confidence held me back a lot in ever getting out there with my music. I never felt fully comfortable with my guitar or drums. Technology set me free.
"My first gig was in 2006. A half-original DJ set. I was pretty hooked. My production increased and I never looked back."
Organisers are promising a free CD for the first 20 people through the door.
• Catch them
"It's not real" at Refuel tonight features Haszari, SoNic Smith and Stranger Danger. 10pm.
