in 1985, hanson formed the band shot, which was signed by irs records. however nothing was ever released. simon hanson was then spotted by a member of the band the blessing and joined them on tours. together they signed with mca records and recorded locusts and wild honey. jimmy miller was called in to produce three tracks on the album. miller was hugely influential on hanson’s work as miller had been himself a drummer. miller taught him that being creative, is not always being in control. unfortunately miller died before the album’s release, in 1994.