Kinney also joined forces with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular band called the Nightporters, with drummer Paul Lenz.

The band's first album, Scarred But Smarter, helped them land many tour dates and later a contract with Island Records.

[2] In 1987, Lenz left and was replaced by Jeff Sullivan, who was recruited just in time to accompany the band for its first major-label release.

The band released its first album for Island, Whisper Tames the Lion, produced by Anton Fier, in early 1988.

[4] College radio success (and some commercial) accumulated with airplay of the songs "Can't Promise You The World" (for which the band filmed its first video) and "Powerhouse."

[2] In 1994, the band decided to move away from the heavy guitar sounds of the previous two records and brought in keyboardist Joey Huffman to replace Buren Fowler.

The band released its first full studio album in 12 years, The Great American Bubble Factory on September 29, 2009.

In 2016 the band supported Dan Baird & Homemade Sin on the UK leg of their European tour and were augmented again by guitarist Warner E. Hodges.

The latter featured guests such as Blues Traveler's John Popper, Edwin McCain, and members of Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band.