signed with the major label A&M Records

In early 1994, the band signed with the major label A&M Records when one of the label’s A&R representatives, Mark Mazzetti, obtained their demo tape. Dishwalla then recorded “It’s Going to Take Some Time” on the tribute album If I Were a Carpenter , which featured cover versions of songs by The Carpenters . The band made their televised debut, performing the songs “It’s Going to Take Some Time” and “Moisture”, on The Jon Stewart Show shortly after. Kolanek departed from the band around the same time, although the reasoning was not explained (he was given songwriting credits on the band’s subsequent release however). The band stayed as a quartet at that point, and they continued recording their debut album, Pet Your Friends . The album featured producer Phil Nicolo (known as one half of The Butcher Bros.), and the album was finished by the end of 1994. It was set to be released in May 1995, and Dishwalla went on a short US tour with Better Than Ezra shortly beforehand; however, the release date was pushed to August 1995. Jim Wood was then brought in as the band’s keyboardist for live performances. In 1996, the single ” Counting Blue Cars ” from Pet Your Friends climbed to No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Modern Rock Tracks chart, bringing the band mainstream success. Other singles off the album, such as “Give” and “Charlie Brown’s Parents”, appeared on various charts in both the US and Canada as well.