Matt Pike founded the band in 1998 with drummer Des Kensel and bassist George Rice (from Dear Deceased,who originally auditioned to be the band's vocalist). The band's first recordings were released on 12th Records, with a full–length entitled The Art of Self Defense released later on Man's Ruin Records. (That album would later be re–released by Tee Pee Records.) The band then signed a deal with Relapse Records and recorded the album Surrounded by Thieves, released in 2002. After a vigorous touring cycle promoting that album, bassist George Rice left the band. 

The band's next album, 2005's Blessed Black Wings was largely written by Pike and Kensel alone, and ex–Melvins/Thrones bassist Joe Preston joined as bassist to record the album and promote it on tour with the band. After about a year of touring to promote their latest release, the band again lost their bassist (rumored to be a result of the hectic touring schedule combined with the pervasive after–show partying). Zeke bassist Jeff Matz joined up to help the band continue touring and is scheduled to record with the band in May of 2007 with producer Jack Endino (Nirvana/Mudhoney).

The new record entitled Death Is This Communion is scheduled to be released in September 2007 after a small string of Northwest shows to promote new material on the album. The band will tour North America in September–October 2007, supporting the Japanese post–rock band Mono, along with Panthers and Coliseum.