To commemorate 20 years of California Soul, The Mother Hips are set to release a limited edition 4-CD box set entitled ‘Days of Sun & Grass: Unreleased Outtakes, Demos, B-Sides and Live Cuts From Chico’s Very Own 1990-2001.’ The band and their archivist uncovered countless hours of tapes from the Mother Hips vaults to come up with the 4-plus hours of all unreleased music chronicling the first eleven years of the band’s history and is arguably some of their best material ever released.
The set is available exclusively at Mother Hips website (motherhips.com) and at shows. Both a free download and nine songs can be streamed at www.motherhips.com
The collection is spread out over a 4-CD set – each CD representing a different era of the band’s career. Volume One traces the bands’ evolution at Chico State Universityfrom 1990 – 1992 when founding members Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono were an acoustic duo and includes early sketches of fan favorites illustrating the progression to their four-piece rock ‘n’ roll band. Volume Two concentrates on their road-weary hard-partying major label days and includes outtakes from this period’s recording sessions. Volume Three focuses on their sobered-up days releasing records for independent labels and when their songwriting became more concise and focused. Volume Four is a radio appearance CD most notably featuring the first known interview with Bluhm and Loiacono while they were students in the Chico State dormitory and within a week of their first show together when they were known as Ali and the Cats, and is very telling of what’s to come.
Along with the 4 CDs, the box set includes cover art from Sierra Nevada Brewery artist Jason Roberson, an 88-page booklet containing vintage photos, posters, press articles, and extensive liner notes on each track from the band and those associated with the recordings, and paints a vivid aural and pictorial history and explaining why the band has been so special in the early years as well as proving why they are even more relevant today.
Last month, on the weekend of September 9th, the Mother Hips returned to Chico to celebrate their 20th year as a band. The weekend’s events culminated at the El Rey Theater on Saturday Sept 10th where Days of Sun & Grass was first made available exclusively.
The Hips are currently putting the finishing touches on their 8th studio album full of brand new material from their San Francisco-based recording studio Mission Bells.
The Mother Hips have flown under the radar as true indie music pioneers for two decades. Hailed by critics for their “rootsy mix of 70s rock and power pop” (pitchfork.com) and for their unflinching ability to “sing it sweet and play it dirty” (New Yorker), The Hips’ signature sound rings more genuine and relevant than ever before. The Hips – led by co-founders Tim Bluhm (vocals/guitar) and Greg Loiacono (guitar/vocals) – have been playing music for 20 years, and in the process, have had the luxury of exploring and refining their craft. And have never been more primed to share their well-traveled tales – the long days and nights on the road, the gritty politics, the smart inward reflections and man, the music! – all delivered with a most appealing balance of Americana storytelling and their California-burnished rock.
Oct 13 – Wild Buffalo, Bellingham, WA
Oct 14 – Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA
Oct 15 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
Oct 21 – Continental Club, Austin, TX
Oct 22 – Continental Club, Austin, TX
Oct 28 – SLO Brewing Company, San Luis Obispo, CA
Oct 29 – Mystic Theater, Petaluma, CA
