Hum Whatever happened to the band behind Stars?

Hum: Whatever happened to the band behind the hit 'Stars?'

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Best known for the mid 90’s hit Stars, Hum's has traditionally been lumped into the "Space-Rock" category due to it’s droning sound and scientific and space influenced lyrics. A lot of people agree that the band was underappreciated and perhaps some of that was by the band’s own doing. Today let’s explore whatever happened to Hum.
Hum’s origins dated back to Champagne, Illinois in 1989. By frontman and guitarist Matt Talbot’s own words he would tell Escapist magazine the band’s beginnings were and i quote "kind of a long story, not all that interesting. The typical 'hey I sort of play guitar and I like Tad and Union Carbide. Do you want to, like, get together and jam sometime?' stuff." The band’s name would be thought of by Matt Talbott with bassist Tim Lash telling an interviewer in 1998 There's not a lot of legend or myth behind it. Matt (Talbott) started the band seven years ago, and just thought it was a cool word. It was just a word he liked, and it stuck ever since then

The band would secure their first gigs in 1989 thanks to local act Poster Children who they opened for as part of some benefit gigs. In fact Hum bassist Jeff Dimpsey was once a member of Poster Children The band also gigged in and around chicago and were well received, but despite being heralded as a chicago band by those outside of the state Talbott would claim that champaign was their real home telling billboard “chicago isn’t as receptive as smaller college town like champaign. We had a following there, but it took us a long time to get there.” The band also considered kansas city more of a home than chicago with talbott telling alarm magazine There are more dirt bags out there. It’s an evil place. We just seemed to fit in better and were always made to feel very welcome

The band would record their first demo titled kissing me is like kissing an angel in Steve Albini’s basement. The band would release their debut record fillet show in 1991 but shortl yafterwards Switzky left the band due to creative differences being replaced by guitarist Tim Lash. Talbott would soon take over lyrical writing and fronting the band. . Soon afterwards the Hum would lose another bassist resulting in Jeff Dimpsey, a member of Talbott’s other band at the time Honcho Overload joining the group.

The band would head to chicago to record their second album Electra 2000. This recordrepresented the introduction of science and space themed lyrics and Hum would also appear on a handful of compilation records. Hum’s first two releases would be put out on local act Poster Children’s own label. Electra 2000 would be well received by local press and retailers.

While Seattle was the epicenter of a lot of popular rock in the early 90’s by 1993 Billboard magazine was now hailing the midwest as the new center of alternative rock. A cover story that read "Chicago: Cutting Edge's New Capital. " with ot

[claymccoy]

Fun Fact: The album cover of Deftones White Pony is an homage to Hum's album cover of You'd Prefer An Astronaut.

[TheGorillafoot]

I remember it was hard to find that "you'd prefer an astronaut" cd and finally finding it in a used record store. Those were some good times in the 90s. You couldn't just download an album or stream it, you had to have it so when you found something it was all the sweeter.

[craigdaily]

Its nice to see Hum get some love in recent years. Always loved their sound

[thrasher]

Hum were one of the more underrated alternative rock bands back in the 90s. Dig, Belly and Ween were also underrated.

[WhirlwindDrums]

Bryan St. Pere was awesome behind the drums.
Sad he's no longer with us

[rickhall]

Stars is one of the best songs to come out of the 90's.

[mattschmit]

I didn't have the opportunity to discover Hum until I was 23 and i can firmly say that my teenage years would have been much better had I found them sooner.

[HealingMetal]

Hum is amazing. Their were a lot overlooked bands at that time that didn't fit the radio mold and I love that Matt always stayed true to himself, I just wish they had more output. His band Centaur's only album is great too, Matt's baby son died while recording it so there's a lot of sadness but it's very Hummy. Hum's last album Intel is amazing and helped me get through the pandemic. Hope they make more music!

[braydoncurry]

one of my favorite bands of all time. downward is heavenward is unbelievable

[sandijohnson]

I loved this band. The 90’s was an amazing time for music and I am so grateful I lived in Chicago to experience it first hand.

[christopherself]

Man, one of my favorite bands of all time. I came of age in '99 so didn't really get to see them live.

Fast forward almost 20 years or listening to them, and loving them. They finally re-united for a tour. During the opening act at the Regency in L.A., I bought a ton of merch, T-shirt, hoodie, poster. Then I am carrying all this stuff with me while the opening act is going on. Staying back leaving some space between me and the crowd.

During this time, some dudes came from the side door, and stood right in front of me to watch the opening act. After the band finished, and the lights came on, the guys in front of me started looking around, and I noticed, one of them was Matt Talbott.

I just got a tad jaw dropped, star struck, and pointed and said, 'You're the dude. I've been waiting almost 20 years to see you live.' And he responded, 'we have waited 20 years to get back here'.

My lord...

Great show. Loud as hell.

[eddiegdrums]

Bryan was one of the kindest souls you’d ever meet. I miss that dude with all my heart.

[youpeopl_music]

Matt also has a recording studio and bar and venue in Tolono, IL (just south of Champaign). R.I.P., Bryan! He was one of my favorite drummers - LOVE that snare drum sound!

[thewasatch]

My absolutely favorite 90's band! Great snowboarding music too 😁

[KarlMarkyMarxx]

Their newest album might be their best work yet. Insanely underrated band that's still perfecting their craft.

[jvtc]

HUM is so underappreciated. I fucking love HUM!

[absentstars]

I got to see them open for failure at 9:30 club in dc in 2015. Both bands sounded so good. “I hate it too” is one of my favorite songs ever.

[leowatley]

stars is one of the absolute greatest songs ever. that album was is super kick-ass in general.

[Low]

Hum was the first band I ever saw live as they opened for Bush in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1995.

[willrunriot]

“Stars” still comes on regular rotation on a local ‘90s alternative station here.