The band played its first show in 1980 and was active initially for approximately a decade, undergoing multiple personnel changes (with frontman John Kezdy the only constant) before disbanding in 1990.

They toured the U.S. and Canada, sharing bills with bands such as Black Flag, The Dead Kennedys, UK Subs, PIL, The Birthday Party, The Plasmatics, SS Decontrol, Green Day, GBH and The Circle Jerks at iconic venues, including Metro, CBGB, Maxwell's, First Avenue, Mabuhay Gardens, Paycheck's, Exit and The Rathskeller among others.

They were heavily featured in the underground press, and received a significant amount of national airplay on college radio at a time when it was the only medium for alternative music.

In the years immediately after the Ramones and the Sex Pistols first released records, Chicago remained dominated by classic rock, disco and blues.

Indie rock icon Steve Albini wrote that "The Effigies were absolutely essential to the development of a healthy punk scene in Chicago.

The original lineup consisted of John Kezdy (vocals), Earl "Oil" Letiecq (guitar), Paul Zamost (bass) and Steve Economou (drums).

After a 1986 breakup Kezdy reunited with Letiecq and added Chris Bjorklund (Strike Under, Bloodsport) (bass) and Joe Haggerty (drums).

They came together again in late 1995 and early 1996 to play a few Chicago shows to celebrate the reissue of their Remains Nonviewable compilation CD on Touch and Go Records.

The Effigies re-formed in 2004, and in 2007 released their first recording in nearly 20 years, a full LP titled Reside, which was a return to their earlier form.

[14] The album was produced by Andy Gerber (Local H, Smoking Popes, The Tossers) who had played with Zamost and Economou in the late 80s/early 90s band Laughing Man.

In November 2024 BFD released a 40th Anniversary edition of For Ever Grounded, which Gerber re-mixed at his Million Yen Studios in Chicago.