Line-up

Venue

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

1106 W. Lawrence Ave., 60640, Chicago, IL, US

www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAFdJnA/byline-bank-aragon-ballroom-events

Capacity: 4,500

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Hum biography

Hum (formed in 1989) is an American sci-fi-obsessed alternative rock band that enjoyed their greatest commercial success with the single “Stars”, hailing from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, U.S.

Originally comprised of guitarist/vocalist Andy Switzky, guitarist Matt Talbot, bassist Akis Boyatzis, and drummer Jeff Kropp in 1989, Switzky and Talbott first met at the cafe where Andy worked. Prior to forming and settling on the name Hum, Andy Swtisky had played in the local band Designer Mustard Gas with Matt gaining experience with the group We Ate Plato. Following a series of line-up changes which included the arrival of guitarist Balthazar de Lay, Hum recorded their debut demo at Steve Albini’s basement in Chicago.

Due to this modest success the group recorded their debut full-lengthh “Fillet Show", which was released by 12 Inch Records in 1991. Featuring fast-paced and an intensely heavy sound, the record highlighted the group’s punk rock as well as heavy metal influences. Balthazar left shortly afterwards and was replaced by Jeff Dimpsey, who recorded on the band’s singles “Hello Kitty” and “Sundress”. Subsequently comprised of Matt Talbot, Tim Lash, Jeff Dimpsey, and Jason Gerken, the band headed to the studio, the result of which was the 1993 studio album “Electra 2000”. Featuring space and sci-fi themes and more conceptual lyrics, the record caught the attentional of RCA, who went on to sign the band later that year.

Hum’s major label debut came in 1995 with the full-length “You’d Prefer an Astronaut”, marking their biggest success to date. Aided by their No. 10 Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks single “Stars”, the record sold over a quarter of a million records and was promoted on the Space Ghost Coast to Coast and The Howard Stern Show. Three years later the group released their fourth studio album “Downward Is Heavenward”, peaking at No. 150 on the Billboard 200. Following disputes and a significant hiatus, the band enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the 2010’s and began the first of two national tours in June 2015.

Live reviews

Space obsessed alternative rock outfit Hum achieved great success with their early single 'Stars' in '95 yet this seems to have then hindered the subsequent career as when they failed to recreate the commercial stature of this most of the members lost interest with the band. They have not broken up altogether yet there has not been emphasis on recording and releasing since the heyday. They do reform occasionally from year to year for reunion tours and this is now the only chance to catch the elusive band performing. The group definitely has something that stands them apart and the alt-rock market could be described as anything other than mundane when they discuss the solar systems and rocket launch programmes.

However due to the inconsistency as a band it does feel as though each musician is a soloist sharing the stage with a number of other soloists. There is barely any interaction and therefore the melodies often sound disjointed. Lead vocalist Matt Talbot spends a large amount of time holding his hands to his head in his own little musical zone leaving the audience rather perplexed. Even when they revert back to hits 'Stars' and 'Comin' Home' they don't quite grab the attention of the audience.

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sean-ward

Nothing is a grunge outfit that have been doing what they do for about ten years, and they’re still doing it to this day. It shows that there are surprisingly some true grunge fans about. It’s cool how they’ve managed to make such an impression enough to release a handful of albums out of what they do. Their genre is definitely that of the drone rock variety, with some very dreary lyrics and sustained vocals. They’re pretty sloppy live and don’t play very well together but hey, that might just be what you’re into. If it is, then go and see Nothing. Their song “Dig” is their biggest song that they perform, doused in distortion making this performance get lost behind the gain of guitar amps and the crashing cymbals that sound like they’re hit for the sake of it. They have a good energy when they play live and a pretty cool vibe about them, but they play so terribly together as a band. Of course. That might be your thing, so go along and check em out.

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