 Personnel changes and label interference frustrated The Black Crowes ' attempts to follow up their 1996 album Three Snakes and One Charm . During May and June 1997 , they recorded an album called Band , but it was rejected by their label , American Recordings . Lead singer Chris Robinson said American " couldn 't go with the vibe " and wanted something more " safe " . In August , guitarist Marc Ford was fired due to a heroin habit that impaired his performances . Guitarist Rich Robinson said , " We would be onstage playing ' Remedy ' , and he would be playing a completely different song .... We told him to clean up or get out . We assumed , since he loved music and the band , that he would clean up . " Bassist Johnny Colt had been losing interest in the band since the recording of Three Snakes and One Charm ; his contributions to that album were minimal , as Rich played bass in his stead on all but one track . Colt quit in October to become a yoga instructor . 
