Wilco is now recognized as one of the best and most beloved American rock bands of the last 25 years.

But once upon a time, Wilco was a burgeoning project started by Jeff Tweedy in the aftermath of Uncle Tupelo’s acrimonious breakup. Teaming up with John Stirratt, who had initially joined the Uncle Tupelo crew as a guitar tech just a few years prior, Tweedy set about forming a new band that would eventually transcend the alt-country label.

Before a recent show in St. Paul, Steve met up with Jeff and John backstage to talk about the band’s early days, and how the band evolved dramatically between its 1995 debut, A.M., and 1996’s Being There. (Both of those records will be reissued in special expanded editions Dec. 1.)

Steve also found out which song from Being There makes Jeff choke up each time he plays it.