[1] Their reputation for intense, energetic live performances won the group major acclaim in the British music press and a number of devoted fans.
The group's sound was a mix of singer Parker's American vocal style and the British punk rock roots of the other three members of the band.
At the end of a prolific year, they signed their first record deal with Abstract Sounds.
Their first EP, Heart of Dirt received critical acclaim, including being awarded Single of the Week from NME.
In 1997, the band worked with Grammy Award-winning producer, Garret Lee, to record a b-side for the Chumbawamba release "Amnesia", the follow-up to their hit "Tubthumping".