The Mother Hips | 20th Anniversary | Review | Pics
By Team JamBase Sep 21, 2011 • 1:41 pm PDT

The Mother Hips :: 09.09.11-09.11.11 :: 20th Anniversary Weekend :: Chico, CA
Full photo gallery below along with a detailed setlist for the El Rey anniversary show!
![]() |
Having gotten their start in Chico, it was a blast to see so many classic Hips fans in one place, mingling with a strong Bay Area contingent and a smattering of far flung enthusiasts who couldn’t resist being part of Saturday’s sweaty, wide ranging show. Most inside the El Rey had incorporated this music into their lives in a profound way, and seeing Tim and Greg play with original rhythm team Mike Wofchuck (drums) and Isaac Parsons (bass) offered a premium hit of nostalgia for many. However, the current lineup of Bluhm and Loiacono on guitars and vocals with bassist Scott Thunes and drummer John Hofer were the tightest, sleekest unit of the night, making newer material like “Young Charles Ives” and “White Falcon Fuzz” breathe as heavily as any of the sure-fire classics that piled up towards the end. Honestly, in terms of consistency, stage appeal and general chemistry, the present day Hips is one of the best lineups yet, though it didn’t hurt to have keyboardist Danny Eisenberg adding all the right touches and soloing with inspired dexterity. If they ever officially add a fifth member it needs to be Danny because he makes this band better. Period.
![]() |
This weekend also marked the official release of The Mother Hips new box set of rarities, alternates and live cuts entitled Days Of Sun And Grass, a career spanning box o’ chocolates for Hips heads. It’s kinda shocking how much great material didn’t make it onto official releases, and the alternate versions of key songs show off how flexible their music can be. It’s a trip to poke around in their rag ‘n’ bone buffet, which concludes with a disc of vintage radio appearances that are both enlightening and amusing. Order the four-disc set here.
El Rey Theatre – 09.10.11 – Setlist
Musician lineup listed above each block of songs
Set One
Tim,Greg,Scott,John,Danny
Mother Hips
Pull Us All Together
Time We Had
White Falcon Fuzz
Young Charles Ives
Don’t Go So Fast
Two Young Queens
Del Mar Station
Mountain Time
Transit Wind
Back To The Grotto
Tim, Greg, Isaac & Mike
Been Lost Once
Precious Opal
Space > Jam > Magazine
This Is A Man
Set Two
Tim, Greg, Isaac & John
Esmerelda
Stoned Up The Road
Tim, Greg, John, Mike, Scott, Danny
Song in a Can >
Easy Wind
Versus of Mark
Honeydew
Tim, Greg, John, Scott, Danny
Headache to Headache
Figure 11 >
Creation Smiles >
Figure 11
Grizzly Bear
Third Floor Story
Rich Little Girl
Encore
Tim,Greg,John,Scott,Isaac,Mike, Danny
Turtle Bones
Hey Emilie
Tim & Greg
Stories We Could Tell
The Mother Hips Tour Dates :: The Mother Hips News
JamBase | California
Go See Live Music!