pursued by various major labels

From May 1988 the band were pursued by various major labels, including Capitol , Atlantic , Geffen , and A&M , with Geffen Records being the frontrunner to sign the band by July 1988. However, the band eventually signed to the PolyGram subsidiary Polydor in November 1988, and recorded their debut EP. As part of their contract, PolyGram created the Stardog Records imprint exclusively for the band. In March 1989, the group issued its debut EP Shine , becoming the first of the new crop of Seattle bands to have a release on a major label. The record sold well and rapidly increased the profile of the band. It was stated that “the record contributed to the buzz about the Seattle music scene.”