Acoustic duo Adam Duritz and guitarist David Bryson started writing and performing songs in San Francisco in 1989 and took the name Counting Crows in 1990. By 1991 they had recruited friends Matt Malley on bass, Charles Gillingham on keyboard and Steve Bowman on drums and toured local clubs and coffeehouses, becoming patron favorites. Their September '93 debut album August and Everything After was a big success, peaking on Billboard 200 at number 4 by April '94, and the band commenced national touring. The Crows appeared on MTV, Saturday Night Live and were part of the 1994 Stones' Voodoo Lounge tour. Each ensuing year has brought either a music industry award or a new studio or live album recording. The Crows' 2002 release, Hard Candy, debuted at number 4 on the billboards in July '02 and was certified Gold by October. 2008 saw the release of Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings.