Hum (band): Difference between revisions

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	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| origin = ], ], U.S.		\| origin = ], ], U.S.
	\| genre = {{hlist\|]<ref>{{cite web\|last=Butler\|first=Blake\|title=Hum {{!}} Biography & History\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hum-mn0000166658/biography\|publisher=]}}</ref>\|]<ref>{{cite web\|last=Bale\|first=Pooja\|date=7 July 2020\|title=Hum stuns after 22 years of silence with surprise comeback 'Inlet'\|url=https://www.dailycal.org/2020/07/07/hum-stuns-after-22-years-of-silence-with-surprise-comeback-inlet/\|access-date=29 October 2020\|website=]}}</ref>\|]<ref name="treble">{{cite web\|date=8 March 2016\|title=Hum is working on first new material in 18 years\|url=https://www.treblezine.com/28441-hum-new-music-on-the-way/\|access-date=29 October 2020\|website=Treble}}</ref>\|]<ref name="treble"/>}}		\| genre = {{hlist\|]<ref>{{cite web\|last=Butler\|first=Blake\|title=Hum {{!}} Biography & History\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hum-mn0000166658/biography\|publisher=]}}</ref>\|]<ref>{{cite web\|last=Bale\|first=Pooja\|date=7 July 2020\|title=Hum stuns after 22 years of silence with surprise comeback 'Inlet'\|url=https://www.dailycal.org/2020/07/07/hum-stuns-after-22-years-of-silence-with-surprise-comeback-inlet/\|access-date=29 October 2020\|website=]}}</ref>\|]<ref name="treble">{{cite web\|date=8 March 2016\|title=Hum is working on first new material in 18 years\|url=https://www.treblezine.com/28441-hum-new-music-on-the-way/\|access-date=29 October 2020\|website=Treble}}</ref>\|]<ref name="treble"/>\|]<ref name="consequence">{{cite web \|last1=Jones \|first1=Abby \|title=Hum’s You’d Prefer an Astronaut Is the Forgotten Blueprint for American Shoegaze \|url=https://consequence.net/2024/01/hum-youd-prefer-an-astronaut-album-review/amp/ \|website=Consequence \|publisher=Consequence \|access-date=1 July 2024 \|date=30 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|last1=Sacher \|first1=Andrew \|title=30 essential songs from the shoegaze / heavy crossover \|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/28-essential-songs-from-the-shoegaze-heavy-crossover/ \|website=BrooklynVegan \|publisher=BrooklynVegan \|access-date=1 July 2024 \|date=12 June 2021 \|quote=In June 2020, Hum surprise-released their first album in 22 years, Inlet. Not only does it close a very long gap between Hum albums, it also follows the prominent 2010s trend of bands blending shoegaze with punk and/or metal, a trend that was largely inspired by the music Hum released two decades ago.}}</ref>}}
	\| years_active = {{Start date\|1989}}–2000, 2003, 2005, 2008–2013, 2015–present		\| years_active =
			{{hlist\|{{Start date\|1989}}–2000\|2003\|2005\|2008–2013\|2015–present}}
	\| label = ~~Mud~~ ~~Records,~~ 12 Inch ~~Records,~~ ], ]~~, ],~~ Martians Go Home, ]		\| label = {{flatlist\|
			* Mud
			* 12 Inch
			* ]
			* ]
			* Martians Go Home
			* Earth Analog
			* ]
			}}
	\| associated_acts =		\| associated_acts =
	\| website = ~~{{URL\|www.humbandofficial.com}}~~		\| website =
	\| current_members = {{Unbulleted list\|Matt Talbott\|Jeff Dimpsey\|Tim Lash}}		\| current_members = {{Unbulleted list\|Matt Talbott\|Jeff Dimpsey\|Tim Lash}}
	\| past_members = {{Unbulleted list\|Andy Switzky\|Akis Boyatzis\|Jeff Kropp\|Bryan St. Pere\|Joe Futrelle\|Rod Van Huis\|Baltie de Lay\|]}}		\| past_members = {{Unbulleted list\|Andy Switzky\|Akis Boyatzis\|Jeff Kropp\|Bryan St. Pere\|Joe Futrelle\|Rod Van Huis\|Baltie de Lay\|]}}
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	==History==		==History==
	===Founding and early recordings===		===Founding and early recordings===
	The initial ~~line-up~~ of the band formed in 1989, with guitarist Andy Switzky, guitarist Matt Talbott, bass guitarist Akis Boyatzis and drummer Jeff Kropp. Talbott and Switzky met at a cafe named Treno's, in ], Illinois, where Switzky worked. Discussions about music led to the two forming the nucleus of Hum. Talbott had previously played in the local group We Ate Plato and was presently a member of Honcho Overload; Switzky had performed in the semi-serious live band Obvious Man and had studio experience with Designer Mustard Gas.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Dapier\|first=Jarrett\|date=31 December 2008\|title=Q&A: Hum Discusses Chicago Reunion, Lyrical Intentions, and Artistic Integrity\|url=https://alarm-magazine.com/2008/qa-hum-discusses-chicago-reunion-lyrical-intentions-and-artistic-integrity/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=Alarm}}</ref>		The initial lineup of the band formed in 1989, with guitarist ], guitarist ], bass guitarist ] and drummer ]. Talbott and Switzky met at a cafe named Treno's, in ], Illinois, where Switzky worked. Discussions about music led to the two forming the nucleus of Hum. Talbott had previously played in the local group We Ate Plato and was presently a member of ]; Switzky had performed in the semi-serious live band ] and had studio experience with ].<ref>{{cite web\|last=Dapier\|first=Jarrett\|date=31 December 2008\|title=Q&A: Hum Discusses Chicago Reunion, Lyrical Intentions, and Artistic Integrity\|url=https://alarm-magazine.com/2008/qa-hum-discusses-chicago-reunion-lyrical-intentions-and-artistic-integrity/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=Alarm}}</ref>

	The group performed at Akis' basement for their initial months. At the suggestion of Rick Valentin of ], the band chose the name Hum (over contenders like ]'s Arm, Pod, and Feedbag), an intentional vague description of their sound and went through a second drummer before overhearing Bryan St. Pere playing along to a ] record out of his apartment window and recruiting him.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Asplund\|first=Kaleb\|date=6 January 2017\|title=A Home for Freaks: A Conversation with Poster Children\|url=https://ovrld.com/interviews/poster-children-interview/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=ovrld}}</ref>		The group performed at Akis' basement for their initial months. At the suggestion of Rick Valentin of ], the band chose the name Hum (over contenders like ]'s Arm, Pod, and Feedbag), an intentional vague description of their sound and went through a second drummer before overhearing Bryan St. Pere playing along to a ] record out of his apartment window and recruiting him.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Asplund\|first=Kaleb\|date=6 January 2017\|title=A Home for Freaks: A Conversation with Poster Children\|url=https://ovrld.com/interviews/poster-children-interview/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=ovrld}}</ref>

	This ~~line-up~~ was not to last long, though, as Boyatzis left home for ] in 1990. Local musician Joe Futrelle, who played with Switzky in Designer Mustard Gas joined briefly, before leaving for more serious musical pursuits and was replaced by Rod van Huis, later of Steakdaddy Six. ~~Due to~~ personal reasons, he amicably left the band and went on to perform in the Great Crusades. With the addition of Balthazar "Baltie" de Lay, of the band Mother (later Menthol), the band recorded their first demo in famed engineer ]'s basement in ].		This lineup was not to last long, though, as Boyatzis left home for ] in 1990. Local musician Joe Futrelle, who played with Switzky in Designer Mustard Gas joined briefly, before leaving for more serious musical pursuits and was replaced by Rod van Huis, later of Steakdaddy Six. For personal reasons, he amicably left the band and went on to perform in the Great Crusades. With the addition of Balthazar "Baltie" de Lay, of the band Mother (later Menthol), the band recorded their first demo in famed engineer ]'s basement in ].

	The band recorded eight songs in first or second takes, with only vocal overdubs and had an official demo to shop around, named ''Kissing Me Is Like Kissing an Angel''. At this point, Switzky was the group's primary singer, guitarist and songwriter, which remained the case when their first album, ''Fillet Show'', was released by local label 12 Inch Records in 1991. The album features a faster, heavy sound somewhere between ] and ], with more overt political and humorous material than the later oblique lyrics that Matt Talbott would write.		The band recorded eight songs in first or second takes, with only vocal overdubs and had an official demo to shop around, named ''Kissing Me Is Like Kissing an Angel''. At this point, Switzky was the group's primary singer, guitarist and songwriter, which remained the case when their first album, ''Fillet Show'', was released by local label 12 Inch Records in 1991. The album features a faster, heavy sound somewhere between ] and ], with more overt political and humorous material than the later oblique lyrics that Matt Talbott would write.
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	Pressure grew on de Lay to focus his efforts on Mother and other pursuits, so he too left on good terms with the other members of Hum. Left without a bassist again, Talbott suggested Jeff Dimpsey, his bandmate in Honcho Overload. In that group, and during his brief stint with the Poster Children, Dimpsey played guitar and Talbott actually played bass, but the transition was smooth, and the band recorded two singles, "Hello Kitty" and "Sundress", the former on 12 Inch, and the latter on the new Champaign-based label Mud Records. Around this time, the Champaign scene started to coalesce with members of one band joining up with members of another to form an indefinite amount of one-off side projects, and the ] distribution company helped promote local acts nationally and brought in alternative music to record stores in Champaign, Illinois.		Pressure grew on de Lay to focus his efforts on Mother and other pursuits, so he too left on good terms with the other members of Hum. Left without a bassist again, Talbott suggested Jeff Dimpsey, his bandmate in Honcho Overload. In that group, and during his brief stint with the Poster Children, Dimpsey played guitar and Talbott actually played bass, but the transition was smooth, and the band recorded two singles, "Hello Kitty" and "Sundress", the former on 12 Inch, and the latter on the new Champaign-based label Mud Records. Around this time, the Champaign scene started to coalesce with members of one band joining up with members of another to form an indefinite amount of one-off side projects, and the ] distribution company helped promote local acts nationally and brought in alternative music to record stores in Champaign, Illinois.

	In the interim between these singles and the next album, creative differences grew between members of the band, and Switzky left. The remaining members recruited a local fan named Tim Lash, almost a decade their junior, to play guitar. His previous experience had been in a ] group The Grand Vizars (with Joe Ludwinski from Scurvine and Matt Friedburger from ]), and once casually remarked to the band after a show that if they ever needed a guitarist, they could give him a call.		In the interim between these singles and the next album, creative differences grew between members of the band, and Switzky left. The remaining members recruited a local fan named ], almost a decade their junior, to play guitar. His previous experience had been in a ] group ] (with Joe Ludwinski from Scurvine and Matt Friedburger from ]), and once casually remarked to the band after a show that if they ever needed a guitarist, they could give him a call.

	===Mainstream success===		===Mainstream success===
	The classic lineup of the band was in place, and the quartet headed to Idful Studios with ] producing '']''. The album was released in its first two pressings by 12 Inch Records and distributed through Cargo Records. The lyrics were far more non-linear and conceptual, and introduced some of the space and science imagery that would dominate later songs. The album produced no singles, but due in no small part to distribution by Parasol, caught the attention of representatives from ]. The band was signed, and hooked up with local club owner and sometimes-musician Ward Gollings as tour manager. They switched to producer Keith Cleversley for their major-label debut '']'' in 1995. The album would produce their biggest hit, the single "]", which ended up peaking at #11 on the ''Billboard Modern Rock Tracks'' chart and #28 on the ''Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks'' chart. They also supported the album with promotional appearances on ], ], ], and a video that was included in an episode of ].<ref>{{cite web\|last=Singer\|first=Patrick\|date=31 January 2014\|title=Please watch this video of HUM on Beavis and Butthead\|url=http://smilepolitely.com/splog/please_watch_this_video_of_hum_on_beavis_and_butthead/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=Smile Politely}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Steinbacher\|first=John\|date=25 September 2012\|title=We need it more than they do-An interview with Hum\|url=http://www.smilepolitely.com/music/we_need_it_more_than_they_do/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=Smile Politely}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Blum\|first=Sam\|date=19 April 2016\|title=Hum's You'd Prefer An Astronaut is an overlooked masterpiece\|url=https://~~music~~.avclub.com/hum-s-you-d-prefer-an-astronaut-is-an-overlooked-master-1798246456\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref>		The classic lineup of the band was in place, and the quartet headed to ] with ] producing '']''. The album was released in its first two pressings by 12 Inch Records and distributed through Cargo Records. The lyrics were far more non-linear and conceptual, and introduced some of the space and science imagery that would dominate later songs. The album produced no singles, but due in no small part to distribution by Parasol, caught the attention of representatives from ]. The band was signed, and hooked up with local club owner and sometimes-musician Ward Gollings as tour manager. They switched to producer Keith Cleversley for their major-label debut '']'' in 1995. The album would produce their biggest hit, the single "]", which ended up peaking at #11 on the ''Billboard Modern Rock Tracks'' chart and #28 on the ''Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks'' chart. They also supported the album with promotional appearances on ], ], ], and a video that was included in an episode of ].<ref>{{cite web\|last=Singer\|first=Patrick\|date=31 January 2014\|title=Please watch this video of HUM on Beavis and Butthead\|url=http://smilepolitely.com/splog/please_watch_this_video_of_hum_on_beavis_and_butthead/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=Smile Politely}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Steinbacher\|first=John\|date=25 September 2012\|title=We need it more than they do-An interview with Hum\|url=http://www.smilepolitely.com/music/we_need_it_more_than_they_do/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=Smile Politely}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Blum\|first=Sam\|date=19 April 2016\|title=Hum's You'd Prefer An Astronaut is an overlooked masterpiece\|url=https://www.avclub.com/hum-s-you-d-prefer-an-astronaut-is-an-overlooked-master-1798246456\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref>

	The album swiftly sold 250,000 copies, and Hum played their largest dates promoting the record. Further singles "The Pod" and the promotional "I'd Like Your Hair Long" failed to generate much interest, and the band spent much of the rest of the year and 1996 on the road. In late 1997, they teamed with Mark Rubel at Pogo Studios to record their fourth album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Devenish\|first=Colin\|date=23 June 1998\|title=Hum Shoot For Stars With New Record\|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/400049/hum-shoot-for-stars-with-new-record/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref>		The album swiftly sold 250,000 copies, and Hum played their largest dates promoting the record. Further singles "The Pod" and the promotional "I'd Like Your Hair Long" failed to generate much interest, and the band spent much of the rest of the year and 1996 on the road. In late 1997, they teamed with Mark Rubel at Pogo Studios to record their fourth album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Devenish\|first=Colin\|date=23 June 1998\|title=Hum Shoot For Stars With New Record\|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/400049/hum-shoot-for-stars-with-new-record/\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627070107/http://www.mtv.com/news/400049/hum-shoot-for-stars-with-new-record/\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=June 27, 2020\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref>

	The biggest promotion for the album came with an appearance on Modern Rock Live on January 25, 1998, and the album was released in February. Singles "Green to Me" and "Comin' Home" were promotional-only; however, "Comin' Home" would land Hum another appearance on the ''Billboard Modern Rock Tracks'' chart, peaking at #37. By the end of the year, the band had only sold 30,000 copies of the album. Around this time, the band missed out on an opportunity to record live favorite ]'s "]" for '']'' film soundtrack. At the last minute, ] and ] decided to record a ] cover, keeping the band from a large potential fan base.<ref>{{cite web \|title=The good news is, there are some unreleased HUM songs out there. \|url=http://members.tripod.com/h_u_m/unreleased.html \|website=humunreleased \|access-date=24 June 2020}}</ref> Due to disappointing sales, and large record label mergers, the band was dropped from their contract in 2000. While touring in ], the band's van got into a minor accident, signaling the last straw.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Jayasuriya\|first=Mehan\|date=13 January 2009\|title=Better Late Than Never: On Seeing Hum After a 10 Year Wait\|url=https://www.popmatters.com/69034-better-late-than-never-on-seeing-hum-after-a-10-year-wait-2496075191.html\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref> They played their final shows in 2000 on December 29 in ], ] and December 31 in Chicago.		The biggest promotion for the album came with an appearance on Modern Rock Live on January 25, 1998, and the album was released in February. Singles "Green to Me" and "Comin' Home" were promotional-only; however, "Comin' Home" would land Hum another appearance on the ''Billboard Modern Rock Tracks'' chart, peaking at #37. By the end of the year, the band had only sold 30,000 copies of the album. Around this time, the band missed out on an opportunity to record live favorite ]'s "]" for '']'' film soundtrack. At the last minute, ] and ] decided to record a ] cover, keeping the band from a large potential fan base.<ref>{{cite web \|title=The good news is, there are some unreleased HUM songs out there. \|url=http://members.tripod.com/h_u_m/unreleased.html \|website=humunreleased \|access-date=24 June 2020}}</ref> Due to disappointing sales, and large record label mergers, the band was dropped from their contract in 2000. While touring in ], the band's van got into a minor accident, signaling the last straw.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Jayasuriya\|first=Mehan\|date=13 January 2009\|title=Better Late Than Never: On Seeing Hum After a 10 Year Wait\|url=https://www.popmatters.com/69034-better-late-than-never-on-seeing-hum-after-a-10-year-wait-2496075191.html\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref> They played their final shows in 2000 on December 29 in ], ] and December 31 in Chicago.

	===Post-Hum projects===		===Post-Hum projects===
	Talbott went on to form Centaur with local musicians Derek Niedringhaus and Jim Kelly. The former had been in ] and ], who had been produced by Talbott, and the latter was involved with Parasol and drummed in 16 Tons and Love Cup. To date, only one album has been released, ''In Streams'', on the Martians Go Home label, set up by the band themselves to release the vinyl version of ''"Downward Is Heavenward"'' and the re-release of ''Electra 2000'' on ]. A second is being produced.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Discussing Life and A New Record with Matt Talbott \|url=https://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/56h01.html \|website=inmusicwetrust.com \|access-date=24 June 2020}}</ref> Talbott produces in his studio Great Western Recorders, now and has started a family.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Spicer\|first=Justin\|date=18 October 2011\|title=Matt Talbott Discusses His New Label, Hum, and Winter Garments\|url=http://www.ssgmusic.com/matt-talbott-discusses-his-new-label-hum-and-winter-garments/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=SSG Music}}</ref> He also teaches at ] in ]. Talbott is also currently contributing to Open Hand, on ], and contributed vocals to First Days of Spring from the ] album ] released in 2005.		Talbott went on to form Centaur with local musicians Derek Niedringhaus and Jim Kelly. The former had been in ] and ], who had been produced by Talbott, and the latter was involved with Parasol and drummed in 16 Tons and Love Cup. To date, only one album has been released, ''In Streams'', on the Martians Go Home label, set up by the band themselves to release the vinyl version of ''Downward Is Heavenward'' and the re-release of ''Electra 2000'' on ]. A second is being produced.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Discussing Life and A New Record with Matt Talbott \|url=https://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/56h01.html \|website=inmusicwetrust.com \|access-date=24 June 2020}}</ref> Talbott produces in his studio Great Western Recorders, now and has started a family.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Spicer\|first=Justin\|date=18 October 2011\|title=Matt Talbott Discusses His New Label, Hum, and Winter Garments\|url=http://www.ssgmusic.com/matt-talbott-discusses-his-new-label-hum-and-winter-garments/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=SSG Music}}</ref> He also teaches at ] in ]. Talbott is also currently contributing to Open Hand, on ], and contributed vocals to First Days of Spring from the ] album ] released in 2005.

	Dimpsey resurrected a side-project from 1997, ] with Jeff Garber, also of Castor. This outfit put out a self-titled album, the ep ''Exit Now'', and a second full-length, ''This = Everything''. The band was also featured on the Parasol compilation ''Sweet Sixteen, Volume 2''. He moved to ] to pursue his career. Dimpsey is currently playing with Adam Fein (]) in a new band called Gazelle.		Dimpsey resurrected a side-project from 1997, ] with Jeff Garber, also of Castor. This outfit put out a self-titled album, the ep ''Exit Now'', and a second full-length, ''This = Everything''. The band was also featured on the Parasol compilation ''Sweet Sixteen, Volume 2''. He moved to ] to pursue his career. Dimpsey is currently playing with Adam Fein (]) in a new band called Gazelle.
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	In 2003, the band reunited for a one-off appearance at ] near downtown ], ] at the historic ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.songkick.com/festivals/57886-furnace-fest/id/4315086-furnace-fest-2003\|title=Furnace Fest 2003\|publisher=songkick\|access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref> Furnace Fest, held August 15–17, 2003, was a festival of ], ], ], and ] acts from across the country. As the story went, the band said that they would be willing to play any show for a high price (assuming that no one would actually be willing to pay that amount), and the organizers at Furnace Fest called their bluff.{{citation needed\|date=June 2015}} Hum headlined Saturday night, playing a set and an encore. The band was reportedly dissatisfied with the performance, and actually preferred the surprise warm-up show they played in Champaign directly prior.<ref>{{cite web\|last=White\|first=Adam\|title=She thinks she missed the train to Furnace Fest\|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/6604/she-thinks-she-missed-the-train-to-furnace-fest\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=punknews.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Wong\|first=Miranda ZY.\|date=6 December 2019\|title=Furnace Fest Returns After Over a Decade-Long Hiatus and Announces 2020 Lineup Featuring Boysetsfire, Evergreen Terrace and Beloved\|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2019/12/06/news/furnace-fest-returns-after-over-a-decade-long-hiatus-and-announces-2020-lineup-featuring-boysetsfire-evergreen-terrace-and-beloved/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=mxdwn Music}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Upcoming Hum shows?\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/hum/comments/end9so/upcoming_hum_shows/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]\|date=January 11, 2020 }}</ref>		In 2003, the band reunited for a one-off appearance at ] near downtown ], ] at the historic ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.songkick.com/festivals/57886-furnace-fest/id/4315086-furnace-fest-2003\|title=Furnace Fest 2003\|publisher=songkick\|access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref> Furnace Fest, held August 15–17, 2003, was a festival of ], ], ], and ] acts from across the country. As the story went, the band said that they would be willing to play any show for a high price (assuming that no one would actually be willing to pay that amount), and the organizers at Furnace Fest called their bluff.{{citation needed\|date=June 2015}} Hum headlined Saturday night, playing a set and an encore. The band was reportedly dissatisfied with the performance, and actually preferred the surprise warm-up show they played in Champaign directly prior.<ref>{{cite web\|last=White\|first=Adam\|title=She thinks she missed the train to Furnace Fest\|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/6604/she-thinks-she-missed-the-train-to-furnace-fest\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=punknews.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Wong\|first=Miranda ZY.\|date=6 December 2019\|title=Furnace Fest Returns After Over a Decade-Long Hiatus and Announces 2020 Lineup Featuring Boysetsfire, Evergreen Terrace and Beloved\|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2019/12/06/news/furnace-fest-returns-after-over-a-decade-long-hiatus-and-announces-2020-lineup-featuring-boysetsfire-evergreen-terrace-and-beloved/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=mxdwn Music}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Upcoming Hum shows?\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/hum/comments/end9so/upcoming_hum_shows/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]\|date=January 11, 2020 }}</ref>

	Though declining to ~~reform~~ on a permanent basis, Hum has continued to perform occasional club shows and regional festival appearances.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Reger\|first=Rick\|date=15 December 1995\|title=HUM BUG\|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-12-15-9512150254-story.html\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref>		Though declining to re-form on a permanent basis, Hum has continued to perform occasional club shows and regional festival appearances.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Reger\|first=Rick\|date=15 December 1995\|title=HUM BUG\|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-12-15-9512150254-story.html\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref>
	"We want to play small clubs again and perform just for our fans," says Talbott. "I feel bad that younger kids often can't go to those shows, but it's important for us to have some fun and play for people who care about our music."		"We want to play small clubs again and perform just for our fans," says Talbott. "I feel bad that younger kids often can't go to those shows, but it's important for us to have some fun and play for people who care about our music."

	In an interview with ]~~, for whom Hum headlined a show in 2011~~, Matt Talbott affirmed that Hum was likely to continue on an informal, sporadic basis.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Galil\|first=Leor\|date=9 September 2011\|title=Hum's Matt Talbott\|url=~~http~~://www.avclub.com/~~articles/hums~~-matt-talbott~~,61299/~~\|access-date=25 December 2014\|website=]}}</ref>		In an interview with ], Matt Talbott affirmed that Hum was likely to continue on an informal, sporadic basis.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Galil\|first=Leor\|date=9 September 2011\|title=Hum's Matt Talbott\|url=https://www.avclub.com/hum-s-matt-talbott-1798227453\|access-date=25 December 2014\|website=]}}</ref>

	In May 2010, Miami-based record label Pop Up Records, announced a Hum tribute album in the works entitled "Songs of Farewell and Departure: A Tribute to Hum" featuring ], The Esoteric, ], Anakin, (Damn) This Desert Air, ], ], City of Ships, Stomacher and more.		In May 2010, Miami-based record label Pop Up Records, announced a Hum tribute album in the works entitled ''Songs of Farewell and Departure: A Tribute to Hum'', featuring ], The Esoteric, ], Anakin, (Damn) This Desert Air, ], ], City of Ships, Stomacher and more.

	The band reunited for a couple of shows in 2011, playing at the inaugural A.V. Fest in Chicago, Illinois, followed by Fun Fun Fun Fest in ].<ref>{{cite web\|date=5 December 2011\|title=Hum pics & audio from FFF Fest\|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/12/hum_live_audio.html\|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|date=14 September 2011\|title=A.V. Fest Day 1 in pics & review (Hum, The Thermals, Disappears, Eef Barzelay, Maritime & more)\|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/chicago/2011/09/av_fest_day_1.html\|website=]}}</ref>		The band reunited for a couple of shows in 2011, playing at the inaugural A.V. Fest in Chicago, Illinois, followed by Fun Fun Fun Fest in ].<ref>{{cite web\|date=5 December 2011\|title=Hum pics & audio from FFF Fest\|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/12/hum_live_audio.html\|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|date=14 September 2011\|title=A.V. Fest Day 1 in pics & review (Hum, The Thermals, Disappears, Eef Barzelay, Maritime & more)\|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/chicago/2011/09/av_fest_day_1.html\|website=]}}</ref>

	In June 2015, it was announced that Hum would partake in two brief tours. In August 2015, Hum opened for ] for five shows on the east coast of the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2015/06/hum_announce_se.html\|title=Hum announce separate tours with Failure and Mineral\|website=]\|date=8 June 2015}}</ref> The band played an after show for Wrecking Ball Fest in Atlanta, GA in August 2015. Following that, they performed at Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois in September 2015, before embarking on a six-show co-headlining tour with ~~the~~ band Mineral on the ~~west~~ ~~coast~~.<ref name="unlikely">{{cite web \|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-hum-the-second-act-of-an-alt-rock-band-at-the-regent-20150918-story.html \|title=Hum and the Unlikely Second Act of an Alt-Rock Band at the Regent \|website=] \|date=19 September 2015 \|last=Barton \|first=Chris}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Adams\|first=Gregory\|date=8 June 2015\|title=Mineral and Hum Announce Co-Headlining West Coast Tour\|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/mineral_hum_announce_co-headlining_west_coast_tour\|website=]}}</ref> After the tour was announced, drummer Bryan St. Pere sat out the tour, with ] of ] subbing.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/hum/comments/39jqfb/bryan_st_pere_leaving_replaced_by_jason_gerken/\|title=Bryan St. Pere Leaving, Replaced by Jason Gerken\|website=Reddit.com\|date=11 June 2015}}</ref> On June 23, 2020, the band surprise-released their fifth studio album, entitled '']''. The album peaked at #15 on the ''Billboard Heatseekers Albums'' chart and at #30 on the ''Billboard Current Album Sales'' chart.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Strauss\|first=Matthew\|date=23 June 2020\|title=Hum Return With Inlet, First New Album in 22 Years\|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/hum-return-with-inlet-first-new-album-in-22-years-listen/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|date=23 June 2020\|title=Hear Hum's First New Album in Over 20 Years: 'Inlet'\|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-hums-first-new-album-over-20-years-inlet\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Sacher\|first=Andrew\|date=June 24, 2020\|title=Hum's reunion album 'Inlet' cements their legacy further than ever before – review\|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/hums-reunion-album-inlet-cements-their-legacy-further-than-ever-before-review/\|access-date=June 24, 2020\|website=]}}</ref>		In June 2015, it was announced that Hum would partake in two brief tours. In August 2015, Hum opened for ] for five shows on the east coast of the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2015/06/hum_announce_se.html\|title=Hum announce separate tours with Failure and Mineral\|website=]\|date=8 June 2015}}</ref> The band played an after show for Wrecking Ball Fest in Atlanta, GA in August 2015. Following that, they performed at Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois in September 2015, before embarking on a six-show co-headlining tour with ] on the West Coast.<ref name="unlikely">{{cite web \|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-hum-the-second-act-of-an-alt-rock-band-at-the-regent-20150918-story.html \|title=Hum and the Unlikely Second Act of an Alt-Rock Band at the Regent \|website=] \|date=19 September 2015 \|last=Barton \|first=Chris}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Adams\|first=Gregory\|date=8 June 2015\|title=Mineral and Hum Announce Co-Headlining West Coast Tour\|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/mineral_hum_announce_co-headlining_west_coast_tour\|website=]}}</ref> After the tour was announced, drummer Bryan St. Pere sat out the tour, with ] of ] subbing.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/hum/comments/39jqfb/bryan_st_pere_leaving_replaced_by_jason_gerken/\|title=Bryan St. Pere Leaving, Replaced by Jason Gerken\|website=Reddit.com\|date=11 June 2015}}</ref> On June 23, 2020, the band surprise-released their fifth studio album, entitled '']''. The album peaked at #15 on the ''Billboard Heatseekers Albums'' chart and at #30 on the ''Billboard Current Album Sales'' chart.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Strauss\|first=Matthew\|date=23 June 2020\|title=Hum Return With Inlet, First New Album in 22 Years\|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/hum-return-with-inlet-first-new-album-in-22-years-listen/\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|date=23 June 2020\|title=Hear Hum's First New Album in Over 20 Years: 'Inlet'\|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-hums-first-new-album-over-20-years-inlet\|access-date=24 June 2020\|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last=Sacher\|first=Andrew\|date=June 24, 2020\|title=Hum's reunion album 'Inlet' cements their legacy further than ever before – review\|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/hums-reunion-album-inlet-cements-their-legacy-further-than-ever-before-review/\|access-date=June 24, 2020\|website=]}}</ref>

	Drummer Bryan St. Pere died on June 29, 2021, at age 52.<ref>{{cite web \|title=RIP Hum drummer Bryan St. Pere \|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/rip-hum-drummer-bryan-st-pere/ \|website=BrooklynVegan \|access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="obi">{{cite web \|url=https://www.boonefuneralhome.net/obituary/Bryan-StPere\|title=Bryan St. Pere April 2, 1968 ~ June 29, 2021 (age 53)\|date=\|access-date=July 31, 2021\|website=boonefuneralhome.net}}</ref>		Drummer Bryan St. Pere died on June 29, 2021, at age 53.<ref>{{cite web \|title=RIP Hum drummer Bryan St. Pere \|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/rip-hum-drummer-bryan-st-pere/ \|website=BrooklynVegan \|access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="obi">{{cite web \|url=https://www.boonefuneralhome.net/obituary/Bryan-StPere\|title=Bryan St. Pere April 2, 1968 ~ June 29, 2021 (age 53)\|date=\|access-date=July 31, 2021\|website=boonefuneralhome.net}}</ref>

	==Influence==		==Influence==
Line 70:		Line 79:

	==Members==		==Members==
	*Matt Talbott – ], ] (1989–2000, 2003, 2011–present)		*Matt Talbott – ], ] (1989–2000, 2003, 2011–present)
	*Jeff Dimpsey – ] (1992–2000, 2003, 2011–present)		*Jeff Dimpsey – ] (1992–2000, 2003, 2011–present)
	*Tim Lash – ] (1993–2000, 2003, 2011–present)		*Tim Lash – ] (1993–2000, 2003, 2011–present)

	'''Previous members'''		'''Previous members'''
	*Andy Switzky – guitar, vocals (1989–1993)		*Andy Switzky – lead guitar, lead vocals (1989–1993)
	*Akis Boyatzis – bass ~~guitar~~ (1989–1990)		*Akis Boyatzis – bass (1989–1990)
	*Jeff Kropp – ] (1989–1990)		*Jeff Kropp – ] (1989–1990)
	*Joe Futrelle – bass ~~guitar~~ (1990)		*Joe Futrelle – bass (1990)
	*Rod Van Huis – bass ~~guitar~~ (1990–1991)		*Rod Van Huis – bass (1990–1991)
	*Baltie de Lay – bass ~~guitar~~, vocals (1991–1992)		*Baltie de Lay – bass, backing vocals (1991–1992)
	*] – drums (2015)		*] – drums (2015)
	*Bryan St. Pere – drums (1990–2000, 2003, 2011–2015, 2015–2021) <small>(died 2021)</small>		*Bryan St. Pere – drums (1990–2000, 2003, 2011–2015, 2015–2021) <small>(died in 2021)</small>

	=== Timeline ===		=== Timeline ===
Line 97:		Line 106:

	Colors =		Colors =
	id:Vocals value:red legend:~~Vocals~~		id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar
	id:~~Lead~~ value:~~teal~~ legend:~~Lead_guitar~~		id:Backing value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
	id:~~Rhythm~~ value:~~brightgreen~~ legend:~~Rhythm_guitar~~		id:Lead value:green legend:Lead_guitar
	id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass		id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
	id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums		id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
Line 140:		Line 149:
	bar:rod from:06/01/1990 till:01/01/1991 color:bass		bar:rod from:06/01/1990 till:01/01/1991 color:bass
	bar:lay from:01/01/1991 till:03/10/1992 color:bass		bar:lay from:01/01/1991 till:03/10/1992 color:bass
	bar:lay from:01/01/1991 till:03/10/1992 color:~~vocals~~ width:3		bar:lay from:01/01/1991 till:03/10/1992 color:backing width:3
	bar:dimpsey from:03/10/1992 till:01/01/2000 color:bass		bar:dimpsey from:03/10/1992 till:01/01/2000 color:bass
	bar:dimpsey from:01/01/2003 till:12/31/2003 color:bass		bar:dimpsey from:01/01/2003 till:12/31/2003 color:bass
Line 152:		Line 161:

	width:3		width:3
	bar:talbott from:start till:01/01/2000 color:rhythm
	bar:talbott from:01/01/2003 till:12/31/2003 color:rhythm
	bar:talbott from:01/01/2011 till:end color:rhythm
	bar:switzky from:start till:01/01/1993 color:vocals		bar:switzky from:start till:01/01/1993 color:vocals

Line 170:		Line 176:
	! scope="col" style="width:3em;"\|<small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine\|publisher=]\|magazine=]\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/heatseekers-albums\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094446/https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/heatseekers-albums\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=September 14, 2018\|title=Hum Chart History\|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>		! scope="col" style="width:3em;"\|<small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine\|publisher=]\|magazine=]\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/heatseekers-albums\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914094446/https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/heatseekers-albums\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=September 14, 2018\|title=Hum Chart History\|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" \| ''~~''']'''~~''		! scope="row" \| ''Fillet Show''
	\|		\|
	*Released: 1991		*Released: 1991
Line 177:		Line 183:
	\| — \|\| —		\| — \|\| —
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" \| ~~'''~~'']~~'''~~''		! scope="row" \| '']''
	\|		\|
	*Released: October 19, 1993		*Released: October 19, 1993
	*Label: 12 Inch Records, Martians Go Home		*Label: 12 Inch Records, Martians Go Home
	*Formats: CD, cassette, ]		*Formats: CD, cassette, ]
	\| — \|\| —		\| — \|\| —
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" \| ~~'''~~'']~~'''~~''		! scope="row" \| '']''
	\|		\|
	*Released: April 11, 1995		*Released: April 11, 1995
Line 191:		Line 197:
	\| 105 \|\| 1		\| 105 \|\| 1
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" \| ~~'''~~'']~~'''~~''		! scope="row" \| '']''
	\|		\|
	*Released: January 27, 1998		*Released: January 27, 1998
Line 198:		Line 204:
	\| 150 \|\| 6		\| 150 \|\| 6
	\|-		\|-
	! scope="row" \| ~~'''~~'']~~'''~~''		! scope="row" \| '']''
	\|		\|
	*Released: June 23, 2020		*Released: June 23, 2020
	*Label: Earth Analog Records, Polyvinyl		*Label: Earth Analog Records, ]
	*Formats: CD, ], vinyl		*Formats: CD, ], vinyl
	\| 111 \|\| 1<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2020-11-28\|title=Heatseekers Albums Chart\|website=Billboard.com\|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>		\| 111 \|\| 15<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2020-11-28\|title=Heatseekers Albums Chart\|website=Billboard.com\|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>
	\|}		\|}

Line 211:		Line 217:

	===Singles===		===Singles===
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
	\|-		\|-
	!rowspan="2" \|Year		!rowspan="2" \|Year
	!rowspan="2" \|~~Single~~		!rowspan="2" \|Title
	!colspan="2" \|Peak chart positions		!colspan="2" \|Peak chart positions
	!rowspan="2" \|Album		!rowspan="2" \|Album
	\|-		\|-
	!style="width:1em"\|<small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine\|publisher=]\|magazine=]\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/alternative-songs\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119004150/http://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/alternative-songs\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 19, 2017\|title=Hum Chart History\|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>		!style="width:1em"\|<small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine\|publisher=]\|magazine=]\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/alternative-songs\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119004150/http://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/alternative-songs\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 19, 2017\|title=Hum Chart History\|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>
	!style="width:1em"\|<small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine\|publisher=]\|magazine=]\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119004330/http://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 19, 2017\|title=Hum Chart History\|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>		!style="width:1em"\|<small>]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine\|publisher=]\|magazine=]\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119004330/http://www.billboard.com/music/hum/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 19, 2017\|title=Hum Chart History\|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\| rowspan="2" \| 1992		\| rowspan="2" \| 1992
	\|"Hello Kitty"		! scope="row" \| "Hello Kitty"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| {{~~n/a\|~~Non-album single}}		\| {{Non-album single}}
	\|-		\|-
	\|"Sundress"		! scope="row" \| "Sundress"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
Line 233:		Line 239:
	\|-		\|-
	\| rowspan="3" \| 1995		\| rowspan="3" \| 1995
	\|"]"		! scope="row" \| "]"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|11		\| style="text-align:center;"\|11
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|28		\| style="text-align:center;"\|28
	\| rowspan="3" \| ''You'd Prefer an Astronaut''		\| rowspan="3" \| ''You'd Prefer an Astronaut''
	\|-		\|-
	\|"The Pod"		! scope="row" \| "The Pod"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\|-		\|-
	\|"I'd Like Your Hair Long"		! scope="row" \| "I'd Like Your Hair Long"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\|-		\|-
	\| rowspan="3" \| 1998		\| rowspan="3" \| 1998
	\|"Puppets" / "Aphids"		! scope="row" \| "Puppets" / "Aphids"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| {{~~n/a\|~~Non-album single}}		\| {{Non-album single}}
	\|-		\|-
	\|"]"		! scope="row" \| "]"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|37		\| style="text-align:center;"\|37
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| rowspan="2" \| ''Downward Is Heavenward''		\| rowspan="2" \| ''Downward Is Heavenward''
	\|-		\|-
	\|"Green to Me"		! scope="row" \| "Green to Me"
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\| style="text-align:center;"\|—		\| style="text-align:center;"\|—
	\|-		\|-
	!colspan="5" style="font-size: ~~8pt~~"\| "—" denotes singles that did not chart.		\|colspan="5" style="text-align:center; font-size: 85%"\| "—" denotes singles that did not chart.
	\|}		\|}

Line 270:		Line 276:
	! scope="col"\| Album		! scope="col"\| Album
	\|-		\|-
	\| "Iron Clad Lou"		! scope="row" \| "Iron Clad Lou"
	\| 1992		\| 1992
	\| ''Electra 2000''		\| ''Electra 2000''
	\|-		\|-
	\| "Stars"		! scope="row" \| "Stars"
	\| rowspan="2" \| 1995		\| rowspan="2" \| 1995
	\| rowspan="2" \| ''You'd Prefer an Astronaut''		\| rowspan="2" \| ''You'd Prefer an Astronaut''
	\|-		\|-
	\| "The Pod"		! scope="row" \| "The Pod"
	\|-		\|-
	\| "Comin' Home"		! scope="row" \| "Comin' Home"
	\| rowspan="2" \| 1997		\| rowspan="2" \| 1997
	\| rowspan="2" \| ''Downward Is Heavenward''		\| rowspan="2" \| ''Downward Is Heavenward''
	\|-		\|-
	\| "Green to Me"		! scope="row" \| "Green to Me"
	\|}		\|}

Line 305:		Line 311:
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
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	]		]
	]		]
			]

Latest revision as of 03:07, 11 January 2025

American alternative rock band

For other uses, see Hum.

Hum
Origin	Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock alternative metal post-hardcore space rock shoegaze
Years active	1989 (1989)–2000 2003 2005 2008–2013 2015–present
Labels	Mud 12 Inch Cargo RCA Martians Go Home Earth Analog Polyvinyl

Members	Matt Talbott Jeff Dimpsey Tim Lash

Past members	Andy Switzky Akis Boyatzis Jeff Kropp Bryan St. Pere Joe Futrelle Rod Van Huis Baltie de Lay Jason Gerken

Hum is an American alternative rock band from Champaign, Illinois, United States. They are best known for their 1995 radio hit "Stars". After initially disbanding in 2000, Hum was largely inactive (save for sporadic performances) until reuniting in 2015 for a series of short tours. On June 23, 2020, the band announced and released Inlet, their first album of new material in over twenty-two years.

History

Founding and early recordings

The initial lineup of the band formed in 1989, with guitarist Andy Switzky, guitarist Matt Talbott, bass guitarist Akis Boyatzis and drummer Jeff Kropp. Talbott and Switzky met at a cafe named Treno's, in Urbana, Illinois, where Switzky worked. Discussions about music led to the two forming the nucleus of Hum. Talbott had previously played in the local group We Ate Plato and was presently a member of Honcho Overload; Switzky had performed in the semi-serious live band Obvious Man and had studio experience with Designer Mustard Gas.

The group performed at Akis' basement for their initial months. At the suggestion of Rick Valentin of Poster Children, the band chose the name Hum (over contenders like Grendel's Arm, Pod, and Feedbag), an intentional vague description of their sound and went through a second drummer before overhearing Bryan St. Pere playing along to a Rush record out of his apartment window and recruiting him.

This lineup was not to last long, though, as Boyatzis left home for Greece in 1990. Local musician Joe Futrelle, who played with Switzky in Designer Mustard Gas joined briefly, before leaving for more serious musical pursuits and was replaced by Rod van Huis, later of Steakdaddy Six. For personal reasons, he amicably left the band and went on to perform in the Great Crusades. With the addition of Balthazar "Baltie" de Lay, of the band Mother (later Menthol), the band recorded their first demo in famed engineer Steve Albini's basement in Chicago.

The band recorded eight songs in first or second takes, with only vocal overdubs and had an official demo to shop around, named Kissing Me Is Like Kissing an Angel. At this point, Switzky was the group's primary singer, guitarist and songwriter, which remained the case when their first album, Fillet Show, was released by local label 12 Inch Records in 1991. The album features a faster, heavy sound somewhere between punk rock and heavy metal, with more overt political and humorous material than the later oblique lyrics that Matt Talbott would write.

Pressure grew on de Lay to focus his efforts on Mother and other pursuits, so he too left on good terms with the other members of Hum. Left without a bassist again, Talbott suggested Jeff Dimpsey, his bandmate in Honcho Overload. In that group, and during his brief stint with the Poster Children, Dimpsey played guitar and Talbott actually played bass, but the transition was smooth, and the band recorded two singles, "Hello Kitty" and "Sundress", the former on 12 Inch, and the latter on the new Champaign-based label Mud Records. Around this time, the Champaign scene started to coalesce with members of one band joining up with members of another to form an indefinite amount of one-off side projects, and the Parasol Records distribution company helped promote local acts nationally and brought in alternative music to record stores in Champaign, Illinois.

In the interim between these singles and the next album, creative differences grew between members of the band, and Switzky left. The remaining members recruited a local fan named Tim Lash, almost a decade their junior, to play guitar. His previous experience had been in a speed metal group The Grand Vizars (with Joe Ludwinski from Scurvine and Matt Friedburger from The Fiery Furnaces), and once casually remarked to the band after a show that if they ever needed a guitarist, they could give him a call.

Mainstream success

The classic lineup of the band was in place, and the quartet headed to Idful Studios with Brad Wood producing Electra 2000. The album was released in its first two pressings by 12 Inch Records and distributed through Cargo Records. The lyrics were far more non-linear and conceptual, and introduced some of the space and science imagery that would dominate later songs. The album produced no singles, but due in no small part to distribution by Parasol, caught the attention of representatives from RCA Records. The band was signed, and hooked up with local club owner and sometimes-musician Ward Gollings as tour manager. They switched to producer Keith Cleversley for their major-label debut You'd Prefer an Astronaut in 1995. The album would produce their biggest hit, the single "Stars", which ended up peaking at #11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and #28 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. They also supported the album with promotional appearances on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, The Howard Stern Show, 120 Minutes, and a video that was included in an episode of Beavis and Butthead.

The album swiftly sold 250,000 copies, and Hum played their largest dates promoting the record. Further singles "The Pod" and the promotional "I'd Like Your Hair Long" failed to generate much interest, and the band spent much of the rest of the year and 1996 on the road. In late 1997, they teamed with Mark Rubel at Pogo Studios to record their fourth album, Downward Is Heavenward.

The biggest promotion for the album came with an appearance on Modern Rock Live on January 25, 1998, and the album was released in February. Singles "Green to Me" and "Comin' Home" were promotional-only; however, "Comin' Home" would land Hum another appearance on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, peaking at #37. By the end of the year, the band had only sold 30,000 copies of the album. Around this time, the band missed out on an opportunity to record live favorite the Police's "Invisible Sun" for The X-Files film soundtrack. At the last minute, Sting and Aswad decided to record a reggae cover, keeping the band from a large potential fan base. Due to disappointing sales, and large record label mergers, the band was dropped from their contract in 2000. While touring in Canada, the band's van got into a minor accident, signaling the last straw. They played their final shows in 2000 on December 29 in St. Louis, Missouri and December 31 in Chicago.

Post-Hum projects

Talbott went on to form Centaur with local musicians Derek Niedringhaus and Jim Kelly. The former had been in Castor and Sarge, who had been produced by Talbott, and the latter was involved with Parasol and drummed in 16 Tons and Love Cup. To date, only one album has been released, In Streams, on the Martians Go Home label, set up by the band themselves to release the vinyl version of Downward Is Heavenward and the re-release of Electra 2000 on CD. A second is being produced. Talbott produces in his studio Great Western Recorders, now Earth Analog Records and has started a family. He also teaches at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Talbott is also currently contributing to Open Hand, on Trustkill Records, and contributed vocals to First Days of Spring from the Neverending White Lights album Act 1: Goodbye Friends of the Heavenly Bodies released in 2005.

Dimpsey resurrected a side-project from 1997, National Skyline with Jeff Garber, also of Castor. This outfit put out a self-titled album, the ep Exit Now, and a second full-length, This = Everything. The band was also featured on the Parasol compilation Sweet Sixteen, Volume 2. He moved to Texas to pursue his career. Dimpsey is currently playing with Adam Fein (Absinthe Blind) in a new band called Gazelle.

Lash has played in other groups after Hum, the electronic duo Glifted with T. J. Harrison of Love Cup, and Balisong, a heavy rock trio with local musicians Eric Steckler and Joe Ludwinski. To date, Glifted have released Under and In on Martians Go Home. A follow-up album was reported to be in production by Lash, but in 2008 he confirmed that Glifted was no more. Balisong never recorded anything, but played a few live shows in Champaign. Lash is currently working with Joe Ludwinski (Scurvine, The Grand Vizars), and Jason Milam (Scurvine, Lovecup) on a new project called Alpha Mile. Alpha Mile played their first show in December 2008 at the Highdive in Champaign. Alpha Mile has been recording off and on, and hope to have an album out in 2010. The 2009 Pygmalion Music Festival featured sets from both Gazelle and Alpha Mile. This was Gazelle's debut live show.

Reunions

In 2003, the band reunited for a one-off appearance at Furnace Fest near downtown Birmingham, Alabama at the historic Sloss Furnaces. Furnace Fest, held August 15–17, 2003, was a festival of hard rock, alternative, indie, and emo acts from across the country. As the story went, the band said that they would be willing to play any show for a high price (assuming that no one would actually be willing to pay that amount), and the organizers at Furnace Fest called their bluff. Hum headlined Saturday night, playing a set and an encore. The band was reportedly dissatisfied with the performance, and actually preferred the surprise warm-up show they played in Champaign directly prior.

Though declining to re-form on a permanent basis, Hum has continued to perform occasional club shows and regional festival appearances. "We want to play small clubs again and perform just for our fans," says Talbott. "I feel bad that younger kids often can't go to those shows, but it's important for us to have some fun and play for people who care about our music."

In an interview with The A.V. Club, Matt Talbott affirmed that Hum was likely to continue on an informal, sporadic basis.

In May 2010, Miami-based record label Pop Up Records, announced a Hum tribute album in the works entitled Songs of Farewell and Departure: A Tribute to Hum, featuring Funeral for a Friend, The Esoteric, The Felix Culpa, Anakin, (Damn) This Desert Air, Constants, Junius, City of Ships, Stomacher and more.

The band reunited for a couple of shows in 2011, playing at the inaugural A.V. Fest in Chicago, Illinois, followed by Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas.

In June 2015, it was announced that Hum would partake in two brief tours. In August 2015, Hum opened for Failure for five shows on the east coast of the United States. The band played an after show for Wrecking Ball Fest in Atlanta, GA in August 2015. Following that, they performed at Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois in September 2015, before embarking on a six-show co-headlining tour with Mineral on the West Coast. After the tour was announced, drummer Bryan St. Pere sat out the tour, with Jason Gerken of Shiner subbing. On June 23, 2020, the band surprise-released their fifth studio album, entitled Inlet. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and at #30 on the Billboard Current Album Sales chart.

Drummer Bryan St. Pere died on June 29, 2021, at age 53.

Influence

Hum has been cited as an influence by multiple groups and artists, including Chino Moreno of Deftones, Deafheaven, and Stemage.

Members

Matt Talbott – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1989–2000, 2003, 2011–present)
Jeff Dimpsey – bass (1992–2000, 2003, 2011–present)
Tim Lash – lead guitar (1993–2000, 2003, 2011–present)

Previous members

Andy Switzky – lead guitar, lead vocals (1989–1993)
Akis Boyatzis – bass (1989–1990)
Jeff Kropp – drums (1989–1990)
Joe Futrelle – bass (1990)
Rod Van Huis – bass (1990–1991)
Baltie de Lay – bass, backing vocals (1991–1992)
Jason Gerken – drums (2015)
Bryan St. Pere – drums (1990–2000, 2003, 2011–2015, 2015–2021) (died in 2021)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
Title	Album details	US	US Heat.
Fillet Show	Released: 1991 Label: 12 Inch Records Formats: CD, cassette	—	—
Electra 2000	Released: October 19, 1993 Label: 12 Inch Records, Martians Go Home Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl	—	—
You'd Prefer an Astronaut	Released: April 11, 1995 Label: RCA Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl	105	1
Downward Is Heavenward	Released: January 27, 1998 Label: RCA Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl	150	6
Inlet	Released: June 23, 2020 Label: Earth Analog Records, Polyvinyl Record Co. Formats: CD, digital, vinyl	111	15

Demos

Kissing Me Is Like Kissing an Angel
It's Gonna Be a Midget X-mas

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions		Album
Year	Title	US Alt	US Main	Album
1992	"Hello Kitty"	—	—	Non-album single
1992	"Sundress"	—	—	Electra 2000
1995	"Stars"	11	28	You'd Prefer an Astronaut
	"The Pod"	—	—
	"I'd Like Your Hair Long"	—	—
1998	"Puppets" / "Aphids"	—	—	Non-album single
	"Comin' Home"	37	—	Downward Is Heavenward
	"Green to Me"	—	—	Downward Is Heavenward
"—" denotes singles that did not chart.

Music videos

Title	Year	Album
"Iron Clad Lou"	1992	Electra 2000
"Stars"	1995	You'd Prefer an Astronaut
"The Pod"	1995	You'd Prefer an Astronaut
"Comin' Home"	1997	Downward Is Heavenward
"Green to Me"	1997	Downward Is Heavenward

References

Butler, Blake. "Hum | Biography & History". AllMusic.
Bale, Pooja (July 7, 2020). "Hum stuns after 22 years of silence with surprise comeback 'Inlet'". The Daily Californian. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
^ "Hum is working on first new material in 18 years". Treble. March 8, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
Jones, Abby (January 30, 2024). "Hum's You'd Prefer an Astronaut Is the Forgotten Blueprint for American Shoegaze". Consequence. Consequence. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
Sacher, Andrew (June 12, 2021). "30 essential songs from the shoegaze / heavy crossover". BrooklynVegan. BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 1, 2024. In June 2020, Hum surprise-released their first album in 22 years, Inlet. Not only does it close a very long gap between Hum albums, it also follows the prominent 2010s trend of bands blending shoegaze with punk and/or metal, a trend that was largely inspired by the music Hum released two decades ago.
Dapier, Jarrett (December 31, 2008). "Q&A: Hum Discusses Chicago Reunion, Lyrical Intentions, and Artistic Integrity". Alarm. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Asplund, Kaleb (January 6, 2017). "A Home for Freaks: A Conversation with Poster Children". ovrld. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Singer, Patrick (January 31, 2014). "Please watch this video of HUM on Beavis and Butthead". Smile Politely. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Steinbacher, John (September 25, 2012). "We need it more than they do-An interview with Hum". Smile Politely. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Blum, Sam (April 19, 2016). "Hum's You'd Prefer An Astronaut is an overlooked masterpiece". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Devenish, Colin (June 23, 1998). "Hum Shoot For Stars With New Record". MTV. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
"The good news is, there are some unreleased HUM songs out there". humunreleased. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Jayasuriya, Mehan (January 13, 2009). "Better Late Than Never: On Seeing Hum After a 10 Year Wait". PopMatters. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
"Discussing Life and A New Record with Matt Talbott". inmusicwetrust.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Spicer, Justin (October 18, 2011). "Matt Talbott Discusses His New Label, Hum, and Winter Garments". SSG Music. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
"Furnace Fest 2003". songkick. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
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"Upcoming Hum shows?". Reddit. January 11, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Reger, Rick (December 15, 1995). "HUM BUG". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Galil, Leor (September 9, 2011). "Hum's Matt Talbott". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
"Hum pics & audio from FFF Fest". BrooklynVegan. December 5, 2011.
"A.V. Fest Day 1 in pics & review (Hum, The Thermals, Disappears, Eef Barzelay, Maritime & more)". BrooklynVegan. September 14, 2011.
"Hum announce separate tours with Failure and Mineral". BrooklynVegan. June 8, 2015.
^ Barton, Chris (September 19, 2015). "Hum and the Unlikely Second Act of an Alt-Rock Band at the Regent". L. A. Times.
Adams, Gregory (June 8, 2015). "Mineral and Hum Announce Co-Headlining West Coast Tour". Exclaim!.
"Bryan St. Pere Leaving, Replaced by Jason Gerken". Reddit.com. June 11, 2015.
Strauss, Matthew (June 23, 2020). "Hum Return With Inlet, First New Album in 22 Years". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
"Hear Hum's First New Album in Over 20 Years: 'Inlet'". Revolver. June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
Sacher, Andrew (June 24, 2020). "Hum's reunion album 'Inlet' cements their legacy further than ever before – review". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
"RIP Hum drummer Bryan St. Pere". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
"Bryan St. Pere April 2, 1968 ~ June 29, 2021 (age 53)". boonefuneralhome.net. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
Turner, Luke (November 23, 2010). "Bakers Dozen: Deftones' Chino Moreno Chooses His Top 13 Albums". The Quietus. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
"Steamy Stemage: Grant "Metroid Metal" Henry Interview". Originalsoundversion.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
"Hum Chart History". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
"Hum Chart History". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
"Heatseekers Albums Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
"Hum Chart History". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
"Hum Chart History". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2018.

External links

Official website
Mission Control: a Hum fan site
Hum at the Internet Archive's Live Music Archive
Hum discography at Discogs
Hum at IMDb

v t e Hum
Matt Talbott Jeff Dimpsey Tim Lash Andy Switzky Akis Boyatzis Jeff Kropp Bryan St. Pere Joe Futrelle Rod Van Huis Baltie de Lay Jason Gerken
Albums	Fillet Show Electra 2000 You'd Prefer an Astronaut Downward Is Heavenward Inlet
Singles	"Stars" "Comin' Home"
Related bands	Glifted National Skyline

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