After first focusing on building a Midwest fan base, the band sent demos to several major labels across the country before signing with Chicago-based Smash Records, a subsidiary of PolyGram.
[2] Health problems, deaths of friends and family, and other stresses led the band to begin writing much darker material for its second album, Raquel.
The band was encouraged by the label owner's attitude that they produce the album how they wished—a stark contrast to the experience with PolyGram and Brown.
They toured Europe with Sheryl Crow, including an opportunity to play two encores as the opening band at a show in Berlin.
[2] After returning from the Raquel tour in 1994, Amsler decided to leave the band to focus on his career outside of music; he was replaced by Mike Keeling.
In late 2012, original members Allison, Amsler and Dingman began rehearsing with drummer Brandon McKenzie for a show to celebrate the release of Poison Fish, a 21-track disc of rarities.