Baxter formed in 1995 in Chicago, Illinois and began playing basement shows and building up a fanbase.

[2] Their first record was released independently in 1997 as a full length cassette entitled Troy's Bucket, and enjoyed moderate success in the underground scene.

1997 also saw the release of a 7" entitled Lost Voices, and by this time they were very popular in the local scene.

In 1999 they split up and members have remained active in the hardcore scene in bands such as The Killing Tree, The Honor System, The Lawrence Arms, and most notably, Rise Against.

In 2003, Will Not Clear Man records put out Baxter, a compilation of both of their official releases as well as several unreleased songs and demos.