The group began as an early post-hardcore band, similar to Louisville, Kentucky, groups such as Slint and June of 44. Formed as a trio in 1995 by Brian Case, Cayce Key and Chandler McWilliams, it released its first 7" single in 1996 entitled, "Taking Apart the Vessel".
Robert Lowe joined the group in 1997 on trumpet and vocals but later moved to bass guitar when McWilliams departed. Their first recording with this line-up was the 7" single, "If You Can Bake a Cake, You Can Build a Bomb", in 1997, followed by an EP on Temporary Residence in 1998.[2] In late 1998, they signed with Southern Records, who released their first full-length album, titled (It (Is) It) Critical Band, in 2000. By this time, the keyboard player Andy Lansangan had joined the group. Two further LPs followed, To Everybody in 2002 and Panda Park in 2004, which was the subject of significant critical acclaim.[1] The band formally disbanded in 2005.[2]
The same year, Lowe embarked a solo project called Lichens,[3] and released solo material under the name Robert A. A. Lowe.[4]
The guitarist, Brian Case, played in the Chicago garage rock band The Ponys, Disappears,[5] and currently in a project called Facs.[6]
As of 2021[update], drummer Cayce Key plays in Bloodiest.[7]
In 2022, The Numero Group announced that it had procured rights to the back catalog from Southern, and began reissuing the band's discography onto streaming services.[1]
On January 19, 2024, Numero released We Blame Chicago, a compilation featuring the band's three albums, various EPs and singles, and several unreleased songs, including a Peel session originally recorded in 2001.[8]