The band went on hiatus in until they announced plans for a full reunion tour in and released their first new studio album in fourteen years, Imperfect Circle. The band's debut album, Cracked Rear View , became one of the best-selling albums in the United States and was certified platinum 22 times.
The band is also popular in Canada, having three number-one singles in that country. The pair began playing cover tunes as the Wolf Brothers. Eventually, they collaborated with bassist Dean Felber, a former high school bandmate of Bryan's, and Brantley Smith, a drummer. Smith was replaced full time in by Jim "Soni" Sonefeld. The band's lineup has remained the same ever since.
The band independently released two cassette demo EPs in and Their mainstream debut album was Cracked Rear View Released in July , the album's popularity grew after its release, becoming the best-selling album of , and was one of the fastest-selling debut albums of all time.
The album featured four hits, " Hold My Hand " U. Their cover of Canadian group 's " I Go Blind ", released on the soundtrack to the television series Friends in , did not appear on Cracked Rear View or Fairweather Johnson , but became a hit on radio in after three singles from Fairweather Johnson had been released.
The album contained the hit single "Old Man and Me" U. The song's writer, Bruce Arnold, traded verses with Darius on several occasions when the band played live on the West Coast. The band released a B-sides and rarities compilation titled Scattered, Smothered and Covered This album is named in tribute of Waffle House , a popular Southern chain of all-night diners. Specifically, the title refers to an order of hash browns βshredded potatoes scattered on the grill, smothered with diced onions, and covered with melted cheese.
