Mercury Rev’s 1991 debut album Yerself is Steam was a critical success, and quickly followed up by the Car Wash Hair single. The releases persuaded the band to perform their very first live gig – then their third gig was on the main stage at Reading Festival and their fourth was supporting Bob Dylan – an auspicious start to their decades-long career. Despite the plaudits resulting in strong sales and regular tours, it was not until their fourth album, Deserter’s Songs that they gained a mainstream audience.