You’d Prefer an Astronaut released

The classic lineup of the band was in place, and the quartet headed to Idful Studios with Brad Wood producing Electra 2000 . The album was released in its first two pressings by 12 Inch Records and distributed through Cargo Records. The lyrics were far more non-linear and conceptual, and introduced some of the space and science imagery that would dominate later songs. The album produced no singles, but due in no small part to distribution by Parasol, caught the attention of representatives from RCA Records . The band was signed, and hooked up with local club owner and sometimes-musician Ward Gollings as tour manager. They switched to producer Keith Cleversley for their major-label debut You’d Prefer an Astronaut in 1995. The album would produce their biggest hit, the single ” Stars “, which ended up peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 28 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. They also supported the album with promotional appearances on Space Ghost Coast to Coast , The Howard Stern Show , 120 Minutes , and a video that was included in an episode of Beavis and Butthead . The album swiftly sold 250,000 copies, and Hum played their largest dates promoting the record. Further singles “The Pod” and the promotional “I’d Like Your Hair Long” failed to generate much interest, and the band spent much of the rest of the year and 1996 on the road.