Given the indie credibility of The Mother Hips, you had better get on board quickly; after all, there is an impending breakup in the band’s near future. In the meantime, sit back and take a moment to familiarize your self with “”Left Coast rock ‘n’ roll.””
If you like Wilco’s new album and you want to hear more country-tinged folk that’s not afraid to rock out or take chances, try The Mother Hips, a Chico-based outfit led by singer-songwriters Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono. Just don’t call them wannabees.
“”The two bands are peers,”” Bluhm said in response to such a comparison. “”Peers are not as influential as elders.””
The influences in question include the Beach Boys, the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. The result is a playful mix of Beatles-esque harmonies laid over a backdrop of twangy guitars and broken-heart lyrics. It’s nothing completely original, just some of the finest pop music around today.
Though mostly a well-kept secret, the band has gotten more press in the last couple of years due to the critical success of their most recent album, 2001’s “”Green Hills of Earth.”” The album is a dynamic piece of California pop-rock, vacillating between light acoustic guitars and softly sung melodies and a heavier rock sound. Both Rolling Stone critic Bill Randall and San Francisco Chronicle writer James Sullivan dubbed the album the best of 2001, the latter stating that the band “”redefin[es] Left Coast rock ‘n’ roll.””
The band has also gotten more notoriety in San Diego lately. Last year, the Hips graced the cover of the May issue of San Diego’s SLAMM music magazine. In the article, Loiacono spoke of bassist Isaac Parsons’ then recent split from the band to spend more time with his young son. Though the parting was amicable, Loiacono solemnly spoke of Parsons’ departure, hoping to reunite with Parsons in the future. The Mother Hips recently toured with Wilco, as well as new bassist Paul Hoaglin and drummer John Hofer.
Bluhm also spoke of Loiacono, who recently reported that he would be taking an “”indefinite hiatus”” from the band in a similar manner.
“”‘Indefinite hiatus’ is clearly a softer phrase than ‘breaking up,'”” Bluhm said of the decision. “”I know that Greg will always create music because it brings him joy. I would be honored to play more music with Greg, John and Paul.””
So The Mother Hips are breaking up. That isn’t any reason to avoid getting into them; if anything, now is the chance to see them before they are gone. Besides, they’re not really going anywhere. Bluhm, for one, will continue to make music and tour in the spring with the band 5 Foot Tuesday as the backing band. Bluhm is excited to continue in the same direction the Mother Hips were heading with their latest album. He has also spoken to Loiacono about performing in the near future as the Ball Point Birds, a mostly acoustic side project featuring both songwriters. In the meantime, the Hips play the Belly Up Tavern on Jan. 24 and, for those under 21 and willing to make the trip, they will also play at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood on Jan. 25.