The Why Store

The groove-pop outfit Why Store originated at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where vocalist/guitarists Chris Shaffer and Michael David Smith first connected with Greg Gardner, who handled drums at the time before moving to bass. The three performed several early shows under the name Emerald City, after which they added drummer Charlie Bushor and started working local venues. The group cut Welcome to the Why Store in 1993 for Blee-Hee-Hee Records, issuing Inside the Why Store the following year. Keyboardist Jeff Pedersen, long associated with the lineup, was formally inducted, and the band then joined MCA's Way Cool Music imprint to deliver its debut major-label release, the self-titled LP that appeared in 1996. Alternative radio embraced the single "Lack of Water," prompting the June 1998 arrival of Two Beasts and, one year later, the double-disc live album Live at Midnight.