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.