When a group of mercenaries called the Marauders committed the Mutant Massacre in the tunnels beneath New York, Erg was one of the few Morlocks to survive the attack. Along with several others, Erg was saved by the original X-Men, then known as X-Factor. Following his rescue, he lived on the streets of New York City as a member of various gangs. Erg's real name remains unknown, but in his life prior to joining the Morlocks Erg was a painter. While he should be approached with caution due to his mutant ability, his criminal record is largely restricted to the theft of minor items such as food, alcohol or tobacco. Erg's greatest ambition is to belong to a biker gang, akin to the notorious Hell's Angels, whose righteousness he defends at every opportunity, no significant opposition is to be expected from him.