The Mother Hips
Days of Sun and Grass
Mother Hips Records
Formed 20 years ago at California’s Chico State, The Mother Hips have personified the “greatest band you never heard of” for years. In the course of seven albums, founders Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono have alternated between riff-heavy rockers such as “Stoned up the Road” to Workingman’s Dead-era Grateful Dead acoustic harmonies, but never have achieved the success of say, the Black Crowes or The Jayhawks. Despite glowing reviews and appearances on the Horde tour and opening for such bands as Widespread Panic and Blues Traveler, mega stardom has eluded them. But to those enraptured by their eclectic mix of rock, blues, and country-folk, that doesn’t matter. To celebrate their first two decades, The Mother Hips released Days of Sun and Grass, a four-CD collection of demos, live cuts, and fan favorites.
From the band’s beginnings as an acoustic duo in the early ’90s, to the well-honed ensemble of the ’00s, this box set will satisfy long-time fans and perhaps garner a few new ones as well. The last disc features live radio appearances and interviews from 1990-1996, and sprinkled throughout the set are some previously hidden Hips jewels, such as their live cover of the Everly Brothers “I’m Tired of Singing My Song in Las Vegas.” Devotees of the Hips sound or first time listeners will find plenty to enjoy here, so come on. Get Hip!
Mother Hips: http://www.motherhips.com
