Tim Bluhm (vocals/guitar), Greg Loiacono (guitar/vocals), Isaac Parsons (bass) and Mike Wofchuck (drums) met in 1990 while attending California State University-Chico, living off campus in Bradley Hall.
The band went on indefinite hiatus in February 2003. Toward the end of 2004 the Mother Hips reunited and started playing shows again.
"We definitely all missed playing together, and a couple of close friends kept urging us to play shows," says singer/guitarist Tim Bluhm about The Mother Hips' decision to reconvene. "We approach the band differently now than we did before the hiatus. There's no pressure on us the way we do it: We all have other sources of income, and mostly aren't dependent on the Hips making money at shows. I think of us as 'musicians of leisure.'"
Formed at Chico State in Northern California, The Mother Hips have seen it all, and there are already two documentaries about them-Stories We Could Tell and This Is The Sound-to prove it. They've gone from dorm band to buzz band to cult favorite; they've taken a truckload of drugs and then kicked their habits; they've played with everyone from Wilco to Johnny Cash; they've worked with countless labels (including two albums on Rick Rubin's American Recordings); and they've dealt with more industry bullshit than the average band could handle. And when singer/guitarist Greg Loiacono told his bandmates he wanted to take a break following the release of 2001's critically acclaimed Green Hills Of The Earth, it seemed as though the Hips were on their way to getting thrown into the coulda-woulda-shoulda pile.
But with the release of the band's new seven-inch and EP on New York City upstart Camera Records, it's clear that The Mother Hips (Bluhm, Loiacono, drummer John Hofer and bassist Paul Hoaglin) aren't just back-they're back with a purpose. "Red Tandy," "Blue Tomorrow" and the EP-only "Colonized" are all perfect examples of the group's ability to channel such classic bands as The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Band and The Beach Boys while writing thoughtful and beautiful tunes that sound just as timeless as the Hips' inspirations. And, of course, the guys still have something to say.
"'Colonized' is about the human soul clashing with the incredible greed that thrives our culture,'" says Bluhm. "Anything that's cool or appealing is instantly 'colonized' by advertisers until we become almost afraid to express an original idea for fear that it will be used to sell fucking coffee or surf trunks."
The quartet's first release in four years features songs-two on the vinyl, four on the CD (including an alternate version of "Red Tandy")-written both collaboratively and separately, and is an excellent appetizer for a new full-length LP slated to be issued next year. If the Hips sound creatively energized amidst all the harmony-drenched, California-baked rock, it's because they are.
"Greg is my favorite person to play music with and one of my favorite songwriters," notes Bluhm. "We started out together. You only have one of those guys per life. Sometimes I feel like I can't even sing unless he's singing with me."
"Toward the end of 2001, it had become 'work' and it didn't feel right-we were all so bitter all of the time," says Loiacono. "Now when we come together to play, there's true happiness in seeing each other, and in creating new sounds and feelings for ourselves and for the fans that come to hear us."
Though all four members remain busy with the other projects they launched during the hiatus-including Bluhm's solo career, Loiacono and Hoaglin's Sensations, and Bluhm and Loiacono's Ball-Point Birds-expect plenty of activity from the Hips in the near future. And count on witnessing them having a blast.
Smoke
The Mother Hips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonight we're leaving
So kiss your baby on the ear
We'll be playing but she won't hear
As we climb aboard the bus
We don't leave nothing behind us but our smoke
Smoke please lead us up to heaven
Wilco was up on the stage
A cigarette, a straight-edge & a jet plane
You, you and I
Must be high
But the dressing room's too hot
So we hit the parking lot
Where we smoke
Smoke please lead us up to heaven
We got smoke
Smoke
The Mother Hips's song "Smoke" is a reflective and nostalgic tune that portrays the life of a band on tour, and the various experiences that come with it. The opening lines of "Kickers come-on, tonight we're leaving, so kiss your baby on the ear, we'll be playing but she won't hear" sets the tone of departure and parting ways. It refers to the life of a touring band where they have to leave their loved ones and hit the road for weeks on end. It's a bittersweet moment, one where they're excited to get on the bus and play their music, but also a moment where they'll be separated from the things they hold dear.
As they climb aboard the bus, they don't leave anything behind except their smoke. Smoke, here, is a metaphor for the things they leave behind on the road - their memories, experiences, and the moments they shared with their fans. The line "Smoke please lead us up to heaven," further emphasizes this, as it's a nod to the fact that they're looking for a higher purpose in all that they do. The use of the word 'heaven' is also symbolic of their aspirations and goals - to create music that inspires and uplifts.
Line by Line Meaning
Kickers come-on
Let's get going
Tonight we're leaving
We're hitting the road tonight
So kiss your baby on the ear
Say goodbye to your loved ones
We'll be playing but she won't hear
We'll be performing, but they won't be around to hear us
As we climb aboard the bus
Boarding the tour bus
We don't leave nothing behind us but our smoke
We leave nothing behind except the smoke from our exhaust
Smoke please lead us up to heaven
We need the smoke to guide us to our next destination
Wilco was up on the stage
Wilco was performing on stage before us
A cigarette, a straight-edge & a jet plane
A reference to Wilco's lifestyle on the road
You, you and I
We're all in this together
Must be high
We're all feeling good
But the dressing room's too hot
The dressing room is uncomfortable
So we hit the parking lot
We go outside to cool off
Where we smoke
We smoke cigarettes
Smoke please lead us up to heaven
We still need the smoke to guide us to our next destination
We got smoke
We have plenty of cigarettes
Contributed by Colin F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Loiacono
on Del Mar Station
“He does not smoke or cheat or shoot.”