Hum

Hum formed in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois in 1990, with Matt Talbott on vocals and guitar, Jeff Dimpsey on guitar, Tim Lash on bass, and Bryan St. Pere on drums. They put out their first album, 'Electra 2000,' in 1993, which leaned into shoegaze textures and got some attention for its layered guitars. The band kept a low profile, balancing music with day jobs, and didn't chase mainstream trends.

Their sound had a drifting, heavy quality, with songs like 'Little Dipper' and 'Suicide Machine' built on slow-burning riffs and Talbott's subdued vocals. They released two more albums, 'Downward is Heavenward' in 1995 and 'Inlet' in 1997, each one a bit more insular and less concerned with fitting into the alternative rock of the time.

Hum never broke big, but they cultivated a dedicated following who appreciated their patient, guitar-heavy approach. After 'Inlet,' they stepped back from regular activity, though their records, especially songs like 'Why I Like The Robins' and 'Apollo,' kept circulating among fans of slowcore and heavier indie rock. Their influence is subtle, heard in bands that value atmosphere over flash.