3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

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bovine knievel
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3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

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The Mother Hips are divinely inspired by the four great (North) American B’s: The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Band and The Beach Boys – Rolling Stone

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Let this be known...I'm stepping way out of my comfort zone with this post. I am not a writer. I am not a musician. I am not a wordsmith but I am a lover of the music experience.

The fine folks here at 3DD need to know about the Mother Hips. I know some of you already are a fan of the band but I'm sure there are others out there that will jump on the wagon. For 17 years, this band has been a constant in my life, many memories are associated with their songs, reminding me of a simpler time.

Future Farmer website wrote:Formed in Chico, CA, in 1991, earthy pop jam rockers the Mother Hips moved up from bar band status through a series of regional tours and built a sizable fan base in California. Songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Tim Bluhm, guitarist Greg Loiacono, bassist Isaac Parsons, and drummer Mike Wofchuck met in the dorms of Chico State in the early '90s. Loiacono and Bluhm's harmonies and country-tinged melodies honored California's musical past -- from Merle Haggard to the Beach Boys to Neil Young. Their 1992 album, entitled Back to the Grotto, caught the ear of American Recordings, which released 1995's Part-Timer Goes Full and 1996's Shootout. This relationship led to high-profile slots on tours with Johnny Cash, Wilco, and the H.O.R.D.E. tour. Drummer Wofchuck was replaced by John Hofer for 1998's country-rock Later Days. Three years later, the band released the more pop-oriented Green Hills of Earth. As soon as the album gained notoriety, singer/guitarist Greg Loiacono decided to take a break from the group, leaving the band's status in question. In 2005, Bluhm, Loiacono, Hofer, and new bassist Paul Hoaglin resumed playing music and released the Red Tandy EP on Camera Records in 2006 and followed it up with the full-length Kiss the Crystal Flake in early 2007.


I moved to Chico in 1993, when the Mother Hips had already established their roots as our local college band. It was immediately apparent that this group of guys, especially the dynamic between Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono, were the real thing. The harmonies between Tim and Greg are outstanding and their songwriting is beautiful. California Soul is what their sound has been labeled, a perfect soundtrack for warm, boozy nights (and days).

Daytrotter website wrote:It's interesting when music can make you forgot where you are in time. And that's not to mean that you're set adrift on memory's bliss or dragged into some sort of neo-nostalgia that's not really being spoken by your own insides. It's to mean that there's an actual disconnect between now and a not so distant past - one that maybe happened and was happening 50 or 60 years ago, when our grandparents had beautiful figures and the Great Depression was still something that came up a lot in conversation as a "remember when" subject. The Mother Hips remind us of a time when something like the Pacific Ocean was new to each of us - not new to the earth - but just to our own actual eyes as we set them upon the coastline there against the salty piers of San Francisco from a distance and with an awe choking our throats. They remind us, with their jammy-like feel and cool compress of a way with autobiographical and anecdotal story lines, that love of love and love of life come in lots of different forms and that standing there, a bit away from the water and looking down at the Pacific ignoring our own presence and just pushing, shoving and loitering in its sparkly way as it always would, is a good way to observe.


Now I hate to use this disclaimer but I think it holds true for most bands... You need to experience the Hips' live show to really get the message. So without getting bogged down with their history or how they make me feel, I thought I would try to find some performances of some of my favorite Mother Hips tunes. They are grouped and listed in order of their discography.

Sit back, turn up the volume, and experience the Mother fuckin' Hips!!

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Back To The Grotto (1992)
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Hey Emile -
If you hear hymns and waltzes in you head
and you haven't been out dancing since your daddy joined the dead
don't let anyone tell you they can try to fix your head
Put on your ballroom gown, Emilie, instead.



Two Young Queens -
Stepped up on my roof and I was feeling so much stronger


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part-Timer Goes Full (1995)
Image

Stoned Up The Road -
Thank you brother for the load
But I guess that all my stuff is stowed
I guess it's time for me to go
To get stoned up the road, I get stoned on
Stoned on up the road



Magazine -
Like every preacher needs a sinner and the gangster likes the sub-machine,
experts get paid by the beginners
and the bombshell needs her magazine.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shootout (1996)
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Can't Sleep At All -
Bright sunlight
Come and open up my eyes
Cause they're closed
but I'm not sleeping



Whiskey On A Southbound -
Whiskey on a southbound
bound for Angel Town
Let those diesel engines pull me down



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Later Days (1998)
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Gold Plated -
There's some boys I know
Who play that rock and roll
They've slept on a lot of floors
To get that California Soul
They've got that California Soul



Esmeralda -
Tell me what is wrong
And I’ll put it in a song
And I’ll play it on the stage

Show me where it hurts
and I’ll write it down in words
and I’ll play it on the stage



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Green Hills Of Earth (2001)
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Singing Seems To Ease Me -
When I start to lose the grin,
I have to put some music in.



Channel Island Girl -
She comes from sunny Santa Barbara where the seaweed sways and waves are green and glassy.
She is so unique, she is a mountain peak.
She's tiny but she's classy.



Rich Little Girl -
I dunno about no rich little girl
walkin' around like her papa got some money

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la OHH, YEAH!



Smoke -
Wilco was up on the stage
A cigarette, a straight-edge & a jet plane
You, you and I
Must be high



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kiss The Crystal Flake (2007)
Image

White Headphones -
Here she comes, she’s walking down the Judah line.
Look how’s she’s walking, she’s got nowhere to be, she’s just taking her time.
She’s making me move, I’m a man who never did.



Time Sick Son A Grizzly Bear -
Did you see the river flow
clear down to Baja Mexico?
John Wesley Powell most certainly did.
I read about it when I was a kid.
Time-sick son of a grizzly bear.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Dust (2009)
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White Falcon Fuzz -
I woke up in the middle of the night,
with the words from a song in my head...



Third Floor Story -
God Damn, you neighbor man, you're knockin' on my roof with a broomstick in your hand
You lazy punk, I said you gotta wake up at 6am,
well don't you know I don't take my rest 'til then
I have to do you in



Pacific Dust -
I've been lost in the thought bank for a week and a half
Diving deep in the think tank for thoughts I don't have
I don't know where I am so don't even ask
I'm just deep in the thought bank...



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Cover Tunes:

Kansas City Southern - (Gene Clark cover tune)
When I was a young man, and the evening sun went down
I'd walk along those railroad tracks and I'd listen for that sound
Kansas City Southern... man that's a lonesome sound!
Well I'd sit and watch those trains go by and I'd wish
That I was onward bound.



Down By The River* - (Neil Young cover tune)
Be on my side,
I'll be on your side,
baby



*They recorded Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere in its entirety.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some sample tunes and a recommended Live show:

An excellent soundboard show from 2000...
http://www.archive.org/details/mh2000-10-06

Some select tunes

Daytrotter session

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discography:

Image 1992
Image 1995
Image 1996
Image 1998
Image 2001
Image 2007
Image 2009

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Videos:


Beauty Rock - Live performance at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA, 2003
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Stories We Could - a documentry of the band...
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This Is The Sound - a collage of footage from every era of the band...
Image

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Side Projects:

- Skinny Singers (Tim Bluhm and Jackie Greene)
- Ball-Point Birds (Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono)
- Sensations (Greg Loiacono and Paul Hoaglin)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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http://www.motherhips.com/home.php
“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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StevieRay
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by StevieRay »

Bovine! This is excellent work. I had almost no idea this band existed. You've brought them to life for me in the perfect place and time. Makes me want to take a special trip to their upcoming Fillmore gig! Seriously dude: I think this write up is all about what this AOTW thing is meant for. I'm sittin' on Archive.org listening to that show you linked us all to - and, it's hitting the spot on a fine Labor Day morning. They are the goods.

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by scotto »

Quite the thorough run-down, Bovine. Good work.
I have to say I first heard these guys on http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/ (or maybe it was http://www.muzzleofbees.com/, I can't remember) and liked their sound a lot. Pacific Dust has been on my to-get list for a while, but I've never pulled the trigger.
Thanks for all the additional info.

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dime in the gutter
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by dime in the gutter »

bovine, serious work there, bro. well done.

don't know them well. lajakes hooked me up with later days. i dig it.

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by Smitty »

Lajakes introduced me to them as well. Great write up, Bovine
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by Penny Lane »

Wow, he's TALL...and a snazzy dresser.. I've only gotten through half the clips so far but they're pretty awesome. It IS hard to describe them, those reviews are right.
People have been telling me about them for a couple years so now I feel like I've been thoroughly introduced to them.
I love his jam w/Jackie above, too...Great write up!! ;) :)
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by Clams »

Very well done Bo Vine! Good job. Love the Mother Hips.
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by Tequila Cowboy »

Nice job. I've heard of these guys, but have never listened. Now I've got homework! Seriously good work BK.
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by lajakesdad »

Awesome writeup Bo Vine. This is my other favorite band. Will be seeing them at the Fillmore in less than 2 weeks. They must be seen to really get it. They bring it every night. Great job.

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by Gator McKlusky »

Nice job BK! I had never heard of this band until LAJakes was always pushing them on 9B's. Just watched all the videos and will be checking them out.
Looks like a bunch of little whiny fucksticks to me

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by lajakesdad »

sorry gator, I'm gonna push some more

here's Tim with the Rhythym Devils


a little Cortez

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

Yea, Tim and The Rhythm Devils is cool shit.
“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by littlemamma »

Yeah La Jakes turned me on to 'em as well.
Nice ass write up Bovine!!!!
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by lajakesdad »

littlemamma wrote:Yeah La Jakes turned me on.
Nice ass Bovine!!!!


:D :D :D

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

Penny Lane wrote:Wow, he's TALL...and a snazzy dresser...


Tim is always mixing it up. I took this at Outside Lands a few years back.

Image
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by Penny Lane »

bovine knievel wrote:
Penny Lane wrote:Wow, he's TALL...and a snazzy dresser...


Tim is always mixing it up. I took this at Outside Lands a few years back.

Image


is he wearing pants? ;)
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by The Black Canary »

Job well done, and no PL I do not believe he is wearing trousers, just let the guys hang out with the rest of the crowd :lol:
so what is it like living with your mommy again BWAHAHAHAHAH

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »



“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by lajakesdad »

Also worth mentioning is the premier of Sierra Nevada's Hips Helles Lager. Not sure if it will be bottled but I would love to get my hands on some. Bovine hook a brother up.

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

lajakesdad wrote:Also worth mentioning is the premier of Sierra Nevada's Hips Helles Lager. Not sure if it will be bottled but I would love to get my hands on some. Bovine hook a brother up.


The show was great... and the beer was too. The Hips Helles was brewed by Tim just for the shows. I doubt it will be bottled but if it does, I'll gladly hook ya up.

Last night was the first time I've seen them with the new bass player. I guess the dude used to play with Zappa.
“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by LBRod »

Scott Thunes is a monster.
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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by lajakesdad »

Hell Yeah Scott rips!! I was at his 4th show and you could tell he was still learning the tunes but he still was going off. During the jams he would be doing crazy runs. He has many more shows behind him now so I would love to hear some more. Here's one from that night. Check out The Other One. 8-)


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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by vacant »

Just got into these guys. On the Pacific Dust bonus tracks there is a live tune called Song In A Can. Did they ever release a studio version?

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by lajakesdad »

vacant wrote:Just got into these guys. On the Pacific Dust bonus tracks there is a live tune called Song In A Can. Did they ever release a studio version?


Hey Vacant, Song in a Can has never made it onto an album. There are a few studio versions out there. They have been playing it a lot lately and go into Easy Wind in the middle. They are currently working on a new album so it might turn up on there. They are also putting out a box set soon with all the unreleased gems over their 20 year recording history. It is bound to be on there in some form.

Here is an old demo version I have
http://www.mediafire.com/?iayd2bh9wr1e75c

also from the last time I saw them in March

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by jimmyjack »

Great band. Seen 'em live three times (twice by accident!) but only own Kiss The Crystal Flake (because that's what they were supporting when I saw 'em). Would love to dig deeper. Where next?

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by jimmyjack »

OK so after watching this, I kinda like the stuff that sounds more like The Dead than the stuff that sounds like the Byrds (or, if you like, Teenage Fanclub or the Jayhawks, all of whom I like, you understand). "Channel Island Girl" is my favorite of these. Where to begin?

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by vacant »

lajakesdad wrote:
vacant wrote:Just got into these guys. On the Pacific Dust bonus tracks there is a live tune called Song In A Can. Did they ever release a studio version?


Hey Vacant, Song in a Can has never made it onto an album. There are a few studio versions out there. They have been playing it a lot lately and go into Easy Wind in the middle. They are currently working on a new album so it might turn up on there. They are also putting out a box set soon with all the unreleased gems over their 20 year recording history. It is bound to be on there in some form.

Here is an old demo version I have
http://www.mediafire.com/?iayd2bh9wr1e75c

also from the last time I saw them in March


Thanks for the info.

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Re: 3DD Artist o' the Week 9/6/2010 - The Mother Hips

Post by bovine knievel »

**FREE MUSIC ALERT**

In conjunction with our show at the Independent in San Francisco Friday, June 15th where we will be playing our seminal debut album “Back to the Grotto” in its entirety, The Mother Hips are pleased to announce an offer of the entire album as a free download starting today through Saturday, June 2nd. This is the original version and master of the record that The Mother Hips released in 1993.


Get the FREE album here
“Excited people get on daddy’s nerves.” - M. Cooley

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