Because all the other 'cute chick' bands didn't rock. VS were heralded as the new Heart. A girl band that could rock as hard as the boys and actually knew how to sing in harmony. I seem to remember the band got signed when they were only together for six months, then were included on an MTV CMJ special that same year and Geffen bought their contract from the indie label (minty Fresh). They went from Chicago local act to a national act with a hit single in something like 10 months.