Hum
Biography
Endless feedback, a heavenly drone, and an obsession with science and outer space: these three elements perhaps most define the beautiful style that has become the trademark of the unmatchable Hum. Despite a career marked with slight commercial successes, most obviously their 1996 radio hit "Stars," Hum has never quite been given the full attention and emphasis that they deserve.
Forming in 1989 in the now notorious musical region of metro Illinois, more specifically in Champaign-Urbana, the band released their first album, Fillet Show, on the 12 Inch label created by a friend's band the Poster Children. This album displays a markedly different style from the feeling they would later create, probably due to the lineup change that would soon follow. Poster Children members Jeff Dimpsey and Tim Lash took up bass and guitar responsibilities respectively, and Hum, in their true form, released their last independent album, Electra 2000, on the band's own label Martians Go Home. Electra 2000's somewhat rough production perfectly captured the spacey, other-worldish sound of the band, but their greatest work was yet to come. The band supported the album by touring with such pronounced indie acts as Shellac, the Jesus Lizard, and more well-known ones such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair.
After signing to major label RCA in 1994, Hum released their benchmark album You'd Prefer an Astronaut, eventually selling nearly 250,000 primarily due to their breakthrough radio single "Stars." Subsequent touring with Bush and the Toadies further pushed the band into somewhat of a spotlight, but due to the short memory of popular music and the lack of understanding of the public to such quirky and heartfelt music, this would be the pinnacle of Hum's media attention. At this point, Hum had established a strong, somewhat underground and die-hard fan base that realized just how incredible and endless their music was.
Four years passed with mouths watering between the release of their first major label effort and 1998's Downward Is Heavenward, as the band took some time off to relax and incubate. This, their fourth and sadly last album, was recorded twice, due to the band's perfectionist tactics in the studio and their promise that every member must love every part of every song. The wait was well worth the product, as Downward Is Heavenward is one of the most darkly romantic and timeless albums ever created. Hum's gorgeous, spacey and limitless sound expanding to new lengths; however, those unfamiliar with the band remained so. The album sold poorly, only 38,000 copies in two years, and resulted in RCA's decision to drop the band from their roster. Further misfortune struck as their tour van was destroyed in an accident while touring, essentially forcing the last nail in the coffin. ~ Blake Butler, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
astronaut and downward represent a huge time in my life. the songs on these albums where there for me in some pretty iconic times! I love these albums..
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I was hoping they'd return to the studio to record another album since they've recently reunited to play reunion shows. But I haven't heard anything.
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I sincerely miss this band. They remain to this day as one of the most intriguing band I've ever listened to. I was in high school when I first heard them along with a band called the Treepeople led by Built to Spill front man Doug Marsch. Still to this day one of my favorite bands....if you like these guys you should check out Treepeople and their albums Just Kidding or Something Vicious for Tomorrow/Tim e Whore.
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i saw there show at st andrews hall in detroit in 1999... it was the best show i have ever been to till this day... my whole being still is vibrating from the overwelming sound of this band live at one of the countrys best venues
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I remember being 16 and seeing Hum open for Toadies and Bush in Dallas, TX...I had heard "Stars" on a BMG Sampler....a n d I loved them!!!!!! What a night. I was sold. I love this band. I've worn out copies of their CDs. I need new ones. A great band.
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i remember in high school when people would look through my albums, they'd see hum, and either laugh or scratch their heads and ask what it was. i never had the right words to explain...
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One of my favorite bands - hands down. I've been a fan since '94. Like no other.
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I really like these guys. I saw them in Detroit in '95 or '96, good show...
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you'd prefer was the soundtrack to a summer of my life, of which I will never forget.
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Best band ever.
I tried to make a channel based on Hum, but it didn't work. Nothing else Pandora could play could even compare. This band makes everything thing else seem un-listenabl e . |
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My favorite band of all time. If my life life had a soundtrack it would be all Hum
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Saw them on NYE in Chicago. Mindblowingl y awesome, so worth the trip from Cleveland
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Well, guess what, their playing at the Double Door in Chicago January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2009! xD Wish I could see it, but you gotta be +21. >:o
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sorry man, Smashing Pumpkins and Hum have very little to do with each other. Listen to Big Dipper...Pum p k i n s ain't got nothing on that song. Sure, early Smashing Pumpkins is decent stuff but Hum is in a different place stylisticall y .
i respectfully disagree with you sentiment. |
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Honestly, I think the Smashing Pumpkins are closer to Hum's sound than any of the similar artists listed. I like to think of Hum as the Smashing Pumpkins with a decent singer.
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If you love Hum, check out Centaur, Matt Talbot's new band. Pretty good stuff, but there are times where I find myself making up some trippy solo to imagine Tim playing. It's not quite as poppish as Downward of You'd Prefer, but it definitely has that Hum spaciness.
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this band's work is the pinnacle of all that is euphoric in my musical universe! i would travel to the other side of the world to hear these guys play if they ever got back together.
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Godsmack as a similar artist?! How about Failure, or Sunny Day Real Estate? Not frickin Nickel-Hinde r - S m a c k ! It hurts me to even associate them with Alice in Chains.
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their music envoke weird senses, lol...
i agree wirh dug, hum dot net is a great site with downloads too. hum is a world class band w/quality albums thanks guys Josh |
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hum dot net has a good fan site. only saw them once at a reunion show in 03 i believe. it was in birmingham at a rock festival with taking back sunday, andrew wk, and some other hard rock. they closed the festival in a style that didn't fit the other bands. they are definitely my favorite band of all time to the point that my son knows who they are and we can roll the windows down and yell the words to iron clad lou at the tops of our lungs.
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endless aestetic pleasures. wish there was something like it left.
new projects for band members, anything? :( sadness. |
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HUM are sorely missed.i wished i had seen them play live.i got one chance and they cancelled the show (club soda,kalamaz o o , m i ) r i g h t before downward is heavenward. that was very disappointin g .
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