The Mother Hips
“White Falcon Fuzz” (mp3)
from “Pacific Dust”
(Camera Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album
Ask yourself this: when’s the last time you heard a band that was good simply because they’re a great group of musicians who work well together and thus yield awesome, likable songs with sincerity? Just when you thought there were no bands left who don’t have some sort of an angle or gimmick to lure you in, you stumble upon The Mother Hips, a San Francisco group based in folk-rock, but hardly restricted to country pleasantries. This is a good ol’ fashion rock band with nothing to hide and no distractions to spruce up their tunes: here’s what American music is truly all about. Their newest release, Pacific Dust (on Camera Records, who boast awesome artists like Ben Kweller and The Bees), is a mighty mixture of electric country rock, psychadelia, indie pop sensibilities, vocal harmonies, road-educated lyricism, and acoustic comfort. Basically, all the same ingredients that have built The Mother Hips’ reputation as one of the most respected and critically acclaimed veteran Bay Area acts have only refined with time.
The Hips formed in 1991 at Chico State when the original lineup ended up living together and playing a variety of smaller gigs and parties under various monikers (even occasionally acting as the backing band for a Led Zeppelin cover band called the Keystones). After committing to creating a solid rock band, members Tim Bluhm (Vocals/Guitar), Greg Loiacono (Guitar/Vocals), Issac Parsons (Bass) and Mike Wofchuck (Drums) formed The Hips and made the jump from parties to local Sacramento gigs at places like LaSalles and Juanitas. Slowly but surely the group’s songwriting talent began to emerge as their original material replaced cover songs, culminating in their debut release Back to the Grotto in 1993. The record was produced by the band and a mutual friend Paul Hoaglin, who would later fill in for Parsons on Bass after his departure. The record was recognized and respected, as various labels began to court the group for a contract. In the end, it was production heavy hitter Rick Rubin who signed the Hips to his American Recordings label (ousting MCA) at the encouragement of The Black Crowes’ frontman, Chris Robinson. Not bad for a group of guys who hadn’t even finished their time at Chico state, huh?
With the re-release of Grotto and it’s follow up Shootout in early 1996, along with subsequent touring, the band gained a solid fan base and managed to book much larger venues including the legendary Fillmore West. Despite these successes, American Recordings eventually dropped the group after failing to properly promote them (a lengthy legal battle with Warner Brothers Records was soon to come and the label would fold), leading the group to reevaluate their direction. Shifting to shorter, more radio-friendly songs that were stripped down to the basics of songwriting and replacing their drummer with John Hofer (The Freewheelers), the band made the move in 1997 to the Bay from up north and have remained loyal since. They recorded two more albums and eventually picked up Hoaglin on bass, spreading their sound and amassing a cult following in the area. However, the pressures of touring and the life of the road took a toll on the group with a couple of members requesting time off. Their subsequent hiatus from 2003 till late 2004 produced various side projects and even three separate documentaries on the group.
Rested and reunited, the Mother Hips are back in action and hot off the success garnered from their 2007 LP Kiss the Crystal Flake. Their songs “Time We Had,” “Red Tandy,” and “Time Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear” were featured on the wildly popular music video game Rock Band. After more successful touring, the band is better than ever and prepared to release Pacific Dust, their strongest work yet. Their 18+ years as a group have proved not only are the Hips survivors, but also fantastic musicians. They strike a perfect balance between Americana story telling and impassioned, gritty rock (as the New Yorker puts it, they “sing it sweet and play it dirty”). From the thundering Fuzz-rock opener “White Falcon Fuzz” to the intimate ballad “Young Charles Ives,” the Hips tell the story of many truly hardworking and humble American rock bands. With bittersweet melodies, poignant lyrics, and strong, mighty musicianship, The Mother Hips are as good as ever. Pick up Pacific Dust and join the thousands who’ve come to realize the talent this group boasts!
The Mother Hips
“Third Floor Story” (mp3)
from “Pacific Dust”
(Camera Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album
The Mother Hips
“One Way Out” (mp3)
from “Pacific Dust”
(Camera Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album
Related Posts:
Tags: The Mother Hips
