Bantam Rooster formed in 1994 as the duo of vocalist and guitarist Thomas Jackson Potter (formerly of Kill Devil Hill) and drummer Eric Cook, who teamed up between working with other bands.
[1] According to Potter, they considered adding additional members but by that time had already written songs that worked as a guitar-drum duo, so decided not to.
[2] After playing live around the American Mid-West they signed to Crypt Records for their first release, the "Miss Luxury" single in 1996.
[1][2] Second album The Cross and the Switchblade, with Mike Alonso on drums, was released in 1999, described by Allmusic as "both heavier and more frantic" than Deal Me In, and by Exclaim!
[1][5] Bantam Rooster disbanded in 2003 as Potter formed the funk rock band Detroit City Council.