Back in the '90s, the Champaign, Illinois space-rockers Hum essentially invented the sound of American heavy shoegaze. Their records remain massively influential, especially with the current shoegaze revival still going strong. Hum broke up in 2000 but reunited a few times over the years. In 2020, they released the truly excellent comeback album Inlet . In 2021, drummer Bryan St. Pere passed away at the age of 51, and all band activities ceased. Earlier this year, however, Hum once again reassembled to headline Nothing's Slide Away festivals , where they played Inlet songs live for the first time, with Shiner's Jason Gerken on drums. Those sets got rapturous receptions, and now Hum are heading back out on tour.

Next year, Hum will hit the road on a series of short runs. Kansas City indie rock veterans the Life And Times will open all their shows, with Pelican and Spotlights also jumping on board for some of them. Jason Gerken actually filled in for the late Bryan St.…