The Mother Hips

• Genre: Roots
• Hometown: San Francisco
• The Mother Hips Website

About

Although many of their loyal early fans associate them with Chico State University, the Mother Hips are a California band who play soulful West Coast inspired rock 'n' roll. They bear the sun-flared torch that was once held by artists such as Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Poco, the Beach Boys, and Gram Parsons. The band's first three albums were released on American Records, though the label gave the Mother Hips barely enough tour support to gain a large following in college towns before it made a questionable decision to drop the band from its roster. With their fourth album Later Days, the Hips revealed that they can make a better record on their own label, and for less money. Throughout the band's career, they have experimented with Blues Rock, Jam Rock, pop arrangements, and soaring vocal harmonies that could melt the coldest shoulder. The band seem to have found a home in the California Country Rock sound of yesteryear, while managing to infuse a relevant and innovative depth of their own. Tim Bluhm's cathartic and multi-dimensional lyrics are cradled in his gritty elastic voice and strengthened with Greg Loiacono's dynamic vocal range and ear for perfect, gold plated harmony.

- Eric Shea