Dig (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Dig is an American alternative rock group originating from Los Angeles, California, established in 1991. They attained prominence with their 1993 self-titled album Dig, which included the successful single "Believe". Their subsequent releases comprised Defenders of the Universe (1996) and Life Like (1999), after which the band dissolved. They came together again between 2004 and 2008, and once more in 2016, culminating in the release of their fourth studio album, (i), in 2025. Core members Scott Hackwith (lead vocals/guitar) and Jon Morris (guitar/backing vocals) have consistently been part of the lineup, with original guitarist Johnny Cornwell also rejoining the current ensemble.
Formation, major label deal, and breakthrough with Dig (1991–1994)
Founded in Los Angeles in 1991 by vocalist Scott Hackwith—who brought experience from managing a home recording studio and working at Propaganda Films—alongside drummer Anthony Smedile, Dig soon added Jon Morris (guitar/backing vocals), Johnny Cornwell (guitar), and Phil Friedmann (bass) to complete their roster. Their distinctive four-guitar arrangement highlighted their shoegaze inspirations. In 1992, they independently issued the demo EP Runt through Wasteland Records.
After signing with Radioactive Records in 1993, Dig launched their debut full-length album, Dig, produced by Dave Jerden, notable for his collaborations with Alice in Chains and Anthrax. The album climbed to No. 153 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The band toured across the United States opening for groups such as Prong, Rage Against the Machine, and Blind Melon. Their single "Believe" enjoyed extensive exposure on MTV's Buzz Bin, peaking at No. 19 on the Modern Rock Chart and No. 34 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. While four more singles were released from the album, none entered US charts. In the UK market, "Believe" reached No. 83, "Unlucky Friend" hit No. 96, and "I'll Stay High" attained No. 97 in 1994; notably, "Unlucky Friend" featured recordings from a session on Mark Radcliffe's FM radio show during their tour with Rollins Band.
Towards the close of 1994, Dig put out the promotional EP Soft Pretzel, containing three original songs alongside a cover of Pink Floyd's "Fearless". That same year, their track "Curious George Blues" was exclusively included on the soundtrack for Airheads. In 1995, their rendition of "Theme From Fat Albert" appeared on the compilation Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits, while they contributed "Hu Hu Hu" to the soundtrack of Virtuosity.
Lineup adjustments and release of Defenders of the Universe (1995–1997)
Between early 1995 and mid-1996, Dig took a break from touring following an intense period of live performances. Their second album, Defenders of the Universe, was unveiled in 1996 with mixing primarily handled by acclaimed engineer Tom Lord-Alge. This era saw personnel changes: guitarist Cornwell was substituted by Dix Denney, and drummer Smedile was replaced by Matt Tecu.
Unlike their initial release, this album and its singles failed to chart, coinciding with a notable reduction in live shows. The subsequent year witnessed their parent company MCA transferring them from Radioactive Records to its subsidiary label Uptown Records.
Life Like era and breakup (1998–1999)
Following a change in record labels, Dig issued their third studio album, Life Like, in early 1999, with mixing entirely handled by Sylvia Massy. The band recorded this album as a quartet after Denney left, with guitar responsibilities shared between Hackwith and Morris. Original bassist Friedmann was succeeded by Jay Nicholas, while Tecu was replaced on drums by Gene Trautmann. For live performances, bassist Nicholas was substituted by Rob Redick, and guitarist Joel Graves joined to form a five-piece ensemble. Due to minimal backing from the label and infrequent gigs, the group was dropped by Uptown/MCA in July 1999; Uptown itself ceased operations later that year. Following the tour, Redick became part of Candlebox, Trautmann joined Queens of the Stone Age, and original guitarist Morris departed, resulting in Dig's disbandment.
Initial reunion (2004–2008)
In 2004, the band reunited for occasional live appearances featuring Hackwith, original guitarists Morris and Cornwell, drummer Tecu, and new bassist Jamie Carter. By 2007, Tecu had been replaced by Dave Stedronsky on drums, and Carter was succeeded by Pete Reichert, known for his work with Rocket From the Crypt. During this period, they contributed "No One's There" to the compilation Poison Tree Records: Road to Nowhere, alongside groups such as Fu Manchu and The Dwarves. Although additional recording sessions took place, no new releases emerged from these efforts.
Second reunion and release of (i) (2016–present)
Dig resurfaced once more in 2016 for a performance in West Hollywood with Hackwith, Morris, Cornwell, bassist Marcus Blake, and drummer Charlie George. After sporadic activity over the following years, they opened an independent merchandise store in early 2020 and resumed recording with new bassist Tommy Black. In November 2020, they announced an upcoming album accompanied by preview material shared via social media platforms. The lead single "Nothing Is Forever" premiered in January 2021 along with an official music video; it was followed by "Treatment" in February, which also featured its own video.
On March 10, 2023, former guitarist Dix Denney died at the age of 65.
In July 2023, Dig returned to live performances featuring new members Ernesto Mora on bass and Matt Bennett on drums. By May 2025, they released a split single with Inspired Flight titled "Sunset & Embery," confirming that their fourth album was nearing completion five years after its initial announcement. The album (i) was officially released on August 29, 2025.
Current lineup
- Scott Hackwith – lead vocals, guitar (1991–1999, 2004–2008, 2016–present)
- Jon Morris – guitar, backing vocals (1991–1999, 2004–2008, 2016–present)
- Johnny Cornwell – guitar (1991–1995, 2004–2008, 2016–present)
- Ernesto Mora – bass (2023–present)
- Matt Bennett – drums (2023–present)
Former members
- Phil Friedmann – bass (1991–1997)
- Anthony Smedile – drums (1991–1995)
- Dix Denney – guitar (1995–1997); deceased 2023
- Matt Tecu – drums (1995–1997, 2004–2006)
- Jay Nicholas – bass (1997–1998)
- Gene Trautmann – drums (1997–1999)
- Joel Graves – guitar (1998–1999)
- Rob Redick – bass (1998–1999)
- Jamie Carter – bass (2004–2006)
- Pete Reichert – bass (2006–2008)
- Dave Stedronsky – drums (2006–2008)
- Marcus Blake – bass (2016–2020)
- Charlie George – drums (2016–2023)
- Tommy Black – bass (2020–2023)
Timeline
{{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:60 top:0 right:0 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:09/01/1991 till: TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:album value:black legend:Album id:ep value:gray(0.50) legend:EP id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:01/01/1992 ScaleMinor = increment:2 start:01/01/1993
LineData =
layer:back color:album width:2 at:08/13/1993 at:07/16/1996 at:01/12/1999 at:08/29/2025 color:ep width:2 at:06/06/1992 at:05/04/1994
BarData =
bar:Hackwith text:"Scott Hackwith" bar:Morris text:"Jon Morris" bar:Cornwell text:"Johnny Cornwell" bar:Denney text:"Dix Denney" bar:Graves text:"Joel Graves" bar:Friedmann text:"Phil Friedmann" bar:Nicholas text:"Jay Nicholas" bar:Redick text:"Rob Redick" bar:Carter text:"Jamie Carter" bar:Reichert text:"Pete Reichert" bar:Blake text:"Marcus Blake" bar:Black text:"Tommy Black" bar:Mora text:"Ernesto Mora" bar:Smedile text:"Anthony Smedile" bar:Tecu text:"Matt Tecu" bar:Trautmann text:"Gene Trautmann" bar:Stedronsky text:"Dave Stedronsky" bar:George text:"Charlie George" bar:Bennett text:"Matt Bennett"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:green align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Hackwith from:09/01/1991 till:07/01/1999 color:Vocals bar:Hackwith from:09/01/1991 till:07/01/1999 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Hackwith from:03/01/2004 till:03/01/2008 color:Vocals bar:Hackwith from:03/01/2004 till:03/01/2008 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Hackwith from:09/01/2016 till:end color:Vocals bar:Hackwith from:09/01/2016 till:end color:Guitar width:3
bar:Morris from:09/01/1991 till:07/01/1999 color:Guitar bar:Morris from:03/01/2004 till:03/01/2008 color:Guitar bar:Morris from:09/01/2016 till:end color:Guitar
bar:Cornwell from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/1995 color:Guitar bar:Cornwell from:03/01/2004 till:03/01/2008 color:Guitar bar:Cornwell from:09/01/2016 till:end color:Guitar
bar:Denney from:06/01/1995 till:06/01/1997 color:Guitar
bar:Graves from:11/01/1998 till:07/01/1999 color:Guitar
bar:Friedmann from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/1997 color:Bass
bar:Nicholas from:06/01/1997 till:11/01/1998 color:Bass
bar:Redick from:11/01/1998 till:07/01/1999 color:Bass
bar:Carter from:03/01/2004 till:10/01/2006 color:Bass
bar:Reichert from:10/01/2006 till:03/01/2008 color:Bass
bar:Blake from:09/01/2016 till:02/01/2020 color:Bass
bar:Black from:02/01/2020 till:02/01/2023 color:Bass
bar:Mora from:02/01/2023 till:end color:Bass
bar:Smedile from:09/01/1991 till:06/01/1995 color:Drums
bar:Tecu from:06/01/1995 till:06/01/1997 color:Drums bar:Tecu from:03/01/2004 till:=10 /0 /20 /06 col or:Dru ms
Discography
- Albums
- Dig (1993, Radioactive / MCA)
- Defenders of the Universe (1996, Radioactive / MCA)
- Life Like (1999, Uptown / Universal)
- (i) (2025, Cassette Recordings)
- EPs and Singles
- Runt EP (1992, Wasteland)
- "Feet Don't Touch the Ground" (1993, Wasteland)
- "Fuck You" (1993, Radioactive)
- "Believe" (1993, Radioactive)
- "I'll Stay High" (1993, Radioactive)
- "Unlucky Friend" (1994, Radioactive)
- Soft Pretzel EP (1994, Radioactive)
- "Whose Side You On?" (1996, Radioactive)
- "Live in Sound" (1999, Universal)
- "Nothing Is Forever" (2021, Cassette Recordings)
- "Treatment" (2021, Cassette Recordings)
- "Sunset & Embery" (2025, Den of Wax)