In a span of two days prior to leaving for Chicago (they were in Pinkerton's parent's house in Pleasantville, NY) the band is informed that Axis distributor, Rough Trade, has gone belly up. This started a chain reaction of Mtv yanking "Smear" from the program (although it has already been taped) based on policy of not airing videos for unreleased material.
Miller, in a complete surprise to the band, informs them that he is leaving and wants no contact with other members. (He had officially withdrawn from college in march of that year without telling them).
The tour was cancelled because they had no release to support, and the label was unsure if they would even proceeed with release. Their logic was that even if an adequate distributor was found they still had their doubts based on Miller's departure. He was considered to be the writer of band's most accessible songs at time.
The band decided to move to Chicago anyway, where, on a tip from Sharp's brother take over an empty room, and all three share it until...
One morning the original occupant (yes, it was "Gideon's Room") returned for his belongings and was stabbed by his former girlfriend. The trio left, unhurt, but terrified and moved to the North Side for the remainder of the summer.