Complex sentence: In mid- 1984, the three decided to form a band, snapping up local bassist Jeff Ament after Ament's band at the time, Deranged Diction, had broken up.
Split into simpler sentences: In mid- 1984, the three decided to form a band. They snapped up local bassist Jeff Ament after his band at the time, Deranged Diction, had broken up.