Blind Melon (album) - Background

Background

In 1990, lead singer Shannon Hoon moved from Indiana to Los Angeles, California. Soon afterwards he met guitarist Rogers Stevens and bassist Brad Smith, both Mississippi natives who had come to Los Angeles a year earlier. They began playing together and soon recruited a second guitarist, Christopher Thorn. The foursome then looked for a drummer in the local area, but months past and their search was unsuccessful. Stevens and Smith eventually persuaded drummer Glen Graham from Mississippi to come to Los Angeles and join the band.

After Blind Melon recorded a four song demo called The Goodfoot Workshop, Capital Records became interested and signed them in 1991 although they never released the band's demo as an EP. Blind Melon then collaborated with producer David Briggs to put together their first EP titled The Sippin' Time Sessions. However, the record was not released due to "slick and doctored" results that were unanticipated. It was during this time Hoon met up with fellow Indiana native and Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose. Rose had given Hoon the opportunity to sing backup vocals on several songs on Use Your Illusion I, most notably "Don't Cry".

In late 1991, Blind Melon decided to leave Los Angeles to record its debut album since they felt the city did not reflect their music style. A Capital Records music manager had suggested they retreat to North Carolina. Chapel Hill, North Carolina was attractive to the band because of its "good music scene", however they could not find an affordable house big enough there for them and their equipment. The band eventually rented a house in Durham, North Carolina.