Thumb

The band recorded and copied their first home-made tapes in 1994, and signed a deal with EMI in March 1995. Thumb's debut was released in September 1995, and over the next two years, they toured as support with Bad Religion, Dog Eat Dog, Henry Rollins and Foo Fighters in Germany. In January 1997 the group began writing their second album, Exposure, released on 5 May. Thumb also toured in the United States, joining the 1998 Vans Warped Tour to play 13 shows in three weeks. During preparations for their third album in early 2000, guitarist Axel Hilgenstöhler left the band halfway through the year, and was replaced by Axel Pralat. Everything written and recorded up to that point was discarded.