THE MOTHER HIPS ALBUM

THE MOTHER HIPS: Kiss The Crystal Flake
Camera Records - April 3, 2007

AUDIO: "Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear"

*Kiss The Crystal Flake is California band's first new LP since 2001

"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

"Thundering arena-rock riffs, "Summer Of Love" -glazed melodies, and sumptuous Beatles/ELO-style harmonies soaring over Neil Young's Crazy Horse-esque crunch." -SF Weekly


The Mother Hips
Kiss the Crystal Flake, the new studio album by California's The Mother Hips, will be released April 3 on New York based-indie Camera Records. It is the follow up to the acclaimed Red Tandy EP (Camera Records, 2005) and the first full album for The Hips since 2001's Green Hills of the Earth. Featuring 12 new songs Kiss The Crystal Flake reintroduces the world to The Mother Hips' own brand of California rock, blending a natural psychedelia with their own 21st century musicianship and songwriting. It is produced by The Mother Hips with Badman Recording Co. founder Dylan Magierek (Mark Kozelek, Call and Response, Erlend Oye.)

"This album is almost like a debut album for us," said singer/guitarist Tim Bluhm. "It is very different from anything we recorded in the past. You know that saying about wishing you knew then what you know now? The Crystal Flake is that coming true."

Formed in 1991 at Chico State in Northern California, The Mother Hips have run the gamut of experiences as a band - from dorm band to buzz band to cult favorite. They took an extended break which nearly became a permanent one after the 2001 album's release, but decided to reconvene a few years ago, first playing shows, and now as a full-fledged band, writing, recording and releasing new music.

"Many things have come our way," explained singer/guitarist Loiacono. "Opportunities, challenges, gifts, hard times, misfortune.... Kiss the Crystal Flake is about embracing everything. It's about standing face to face with whatever comes."

The Mother Hips are Tim Bluhm (guitars, vocals), Greg Loiacono (guitars, vocals), Paul Hoaglin (bass) and John Hofer (drums).

THE MOTHER HIPS TOUR DATES:
4/06 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
4/07 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
4/13 - LA, CA - The Roxy
4/14 - Solona Beach, CA - The Belly Up
4/20 - Sacramento, CA - Marilyn's
4/27 - Park City, UT - Suede
4/28 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
5/04 - NYC - Mercury Lounge
5/05 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
5/10 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's
5/12 - Minneapolis, MN - TBA
5/17 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
5/18 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
5/19 - Hood River, OR - River City Saloon
5/25 - San Louis Obispo, CA - Downtown Brew Company
5/26 - Santa Barbara, CA - Soho
6/08 - Santa Cruz, CA - Moe's Alley
6/09 - Santa Cruz, CA - Moe's Alley

SOME HIPS BACKGROUND:

Toured with Wilco, Johnny Cash, and Cake. Three releases on Rick Rubin's American Recordings sold collectively over 50K units; 2001 LP sold over 15K. 2005's EP release received critical acclaim from Harp, L.A. Weekly, SF Weekly and Rolling Stone. Formed in Chicago, CA - currently based in San Francisco.

[Published on: 3/22/07]
 

Comments

mbridges Thu 3/22/2007 01:14PM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

another band that deserves a much bigger crowd and fortune!!great band, i saw them open for Wilco in over 10 yrs ago in Nashville and they aint been back since.......oh well...........bring the Southeast some tunes!

colonelburnel2 starstarstarstarstar Thu 3/22/2007 01:14PM
+3 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

Great, Great, Great Band, looking forward to the new CD.

dordo212 Thu 3/22/2007 01:18PM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

dordo212

'bout time they got back to the grotto

Flyingbird73 starstarstarstarstar Thu 3/22/2007 02:18PM
0 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

Flyingbird73

agreed, a really really solid band. time off didn't help them as far as gaining wider exposure, but it seemed to have caused an higher demand for a return, especially in their local market. culminated in some good sets at H'Sierra 2006. really enjoy this band live, great sound...that linked tune above sounds a bit like Sloan, pretty catchy, totally meant as a compliment. Park City and SLC dates, rare....and sweet.

cassiebob starstarstarstarstar Thu 3/22/2007 03:47PM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

Buy the record...See the show...Tell all your friends!!!

traildog00 Thu 3/22/2007 03:51PM
0 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

FYI: The band formed in "Chico", California NOT "Chicago", California. We Chicoans are sensitive to these things.jk
By the way, the hips are awesome. Finally the break is over and some real song writing and music will give the notoriety The Mother Hips deserve. Good luck guys and we know you will never lose that grass roots soul so many bands do.

jasonthehead starstarstarstarstar Thu 3/22/2007 03:58PM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

jasonthehead

Love these guys...can't wait for their new album, either. Friday the 13th in L.A.!

cincyg123 starstarstarstarstar Thu 3/22/2007 05:55PM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

cincyg123

California Soul Ballz Out Rock n' Roll ! Man, it's gonna be great to get back to the Grotto.
1999, I drove down from Phoenix to Tucson to see the Hips play at The Rialto "GrooveFestII" (opening for Big Wu). There were maybe 6-12 people who turned out for their set. Still kicked out a Rockin' 13 song set. After the show, they hit the road for SLC. I drove back to Phoenix, slept in my own bed. The NEXT morning I FLEW up to Salt Lake City to see the Hips.. I spent my day at the Squatter Brewery whlie they drove their van with trailer in tow over 800 MILES (12.5 hrs). The Zephyr was sold out. The Mo Hips came on after the Trigger Locks, so they may had gotten a few hours of rest from the road if that..They hit the stage and plentished the crowd with two full smokin sets.
I was also introduced to WILCO by the Hips- Thanks!
Tim, Greg, John and Paul, can't wait to see ya in Chicago!

cavemandan Fri 3/23/2007 04:27PM
0 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

I absolutely loved playing Hammond organ with Leslie, a whole set with these guys in the 90's in some small dank hippy bar! They are true hippies and musicians, who play by ear, sound and feel. They should and could be headlining any of the major festivals! So psyched they are still playing. In addition they are the nicest guys!

milesgone starstarstarstarstar Fri 3/23/2007 06:27PM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

milesgone

The song BLUE TOMORROW is fabulous on the album Red Tandy.
peas....

BLarks starstarstarstarstar Sat 3/24/2007 03:40AM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

I live in Honolulu but used to live in Santa Cruz. I'm making a special trip just to see the Hips play the Independent in April. Trust me, its worth the extra cash to see these guys play. Just ask my accountant!!
Disclaimer: I don't really have an accountant.

SilentMark Sat 3/24/2007 10:05AM
+2 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

Being an east coaster I have never seen them, can't wait till May !

chicoavenue Mon 4/2/2007 07:59AM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

the new album's fabulous! check it out.

Chakra7 starstarstarstarstar Wed 4/18/2007 01:15AM
+1 Votes Thumbs down! Thumbs up!

Chakra7

rad