The Mother Hips '98 Year in Review
In 1998, the Hips continued spreading their Golden Coast sound by playing
shows near and far. According to Tim Bluhm, the band logged just under 200
shows in 1998. A pretty good amount by anyone's standards.
According to guitarist Greg Loiacano, a show in Austin Texas at Stubb's BBQ
(which was simulcasted, live, over the internet) and a Halloween gig
at Sweetwater were a couple of his personal high-lights. The band
also logged a cross-country, summer tour with the band, Huffamoose.
As a result of their near incessant touring, their
live performances have never been better. Songs like,
"Gold Plated", "Third Floor Story",
"Tired Wings", "Spotless as You", "Esmerelda", and "Later Days" jump out
as the Hips sound for '98. As always the sound is evolving and we can
only guess where it might go in '99.
In 1998, the Hips also appeared on
KFOG's Local Anaesthetic, playing
three original tracks to a delighted Bay Area radio audience.
Their 5thAnnual Holiday Bash at the Great American
Music Hall was a super party, selling out the infamous Hall.
New Year's eve, the Hips
opened for their own musical heros and comrades,
WILCO, at the Fillmore.
1998 was a really big year for the Mother Hips.
This past year saw the release of their
fourth album, Later Days, as well as the birth of the band
in cyberspace with sites
like this one, as well as their official web site,
www.motherhips.com, and the
ever-lively the-grotto.com.
These new electronic forumns provided fans from all over the country
and world, a spot to check in and keep up-to-date on Hips haps.
"We still have that neighborhood, backyard party band sound. But at the
same time the music sounds really good. It sounds like a
famous band."
-Tim Bluhm