Rusted Root's self-produced debut album Cruel Sun appeared in 1994 on Blue Duck Records; that same year, the band signed with Mercury and recorded an album almost completely live in the studio. With support from college radio and a good buzz from the band's entrancing live show, When I Woke became quite successful in alternative circles during 1995-96. In mid-1996, Rusted Root released the Evil Ways EP, a compilation of live tracks with the band's contributions to the movies Twister and Home for the Holidays. Rusted Root's third album Remember followed in October. Produced by Jerry Harrison, it reached the Top 40 in its first week of release. A self-titled LP followed in 1998.