the hum / By Bob Doran

Say Aye

The Mother Hips rock for Surfriders, plus jazz, reggae and another Soul Clap Dance Off

(Nov. 12, 2009)  In a song titled “All in Favor” on the latest disc from The Mother Hips, Hips co-founder Greg Loiacono traces the history of an unnamed band, established under guiding principals laid down by someone called “Wrongway Ray”:

“He said don’t listen to your heart, instead follow these instructions towards the path of self-destruction: unlimited buffoonery in the dark. Do this and you’ll go far. All in favor, say aye… So we got ourselves a van, took it all across the land ‘til one day on Five it caught fire, yeah, just like our egos. We took a vote and raised our hands up high. We’ll do this ‘til we die. All in favor, say aye.”

The Mother Hips

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The Mother Hips originally came together at the beginning of the ‘90s in Chico, where Loiacono andguitarist/songwriter Tim Bluhm went from duo to band, enlisting a rhythm section and skipping classes at Chico State in favor of rock. Their self-produced album, Back to the Grotto, caught the attention of someone at Rick Rubin’s label, American Records (a Time/Warner subsidiary) and they were on their way - to a disastrous short term major label experience. A few albums and at least one break-up (or hiatus) later, and the band was back on track with a 2007 album, Kiss the Crystal Flake, garnering critical acclaim, even landing a song on the vid-game, Rock Band.

With this year’s Pacific Dust, a great album steeped in what they call “California soul,” they re-examine the band experience. The opening track penned by Bluhm, “White Falcon Fuzz,” finds him wondering, “Is that what the world is saying: That your rock ‘n’ roll band can’t last if you haven’t got a really good singer?” Rest assured The Mother Hips will last.

You can hear The Hips Thursday, Nov. 12, at Humboldt Brews, where they play for a Humboldt Surfrider benefit kicking off a “Rise Above Plastics” campaign. The Surfriders seem to be in major benefit mode of late. Saturday they take it to the Arcata Theatre Lounge for a screening of the surf flick Modern Collective, music by young surf band Feedback, then a set by local faves The Nucleus.

BTW, Andy from Humboldt Brews tells me excitedly, “It looks like The Mother Hips will be the first show in the new venue next door! We also have The David Nelson Band coming on Sunday, Nov. 15 for an early show at 7 p.m.” I can’t wait to see the new space.

Things to do on Friday the Thirteenth: A benefit for Arcata House at Arcata Theatre Lounge that night starts with a rare appearance by The Joyce Hough Band (playing first so tired boomers can retire early) followed by Blue Lake groovers, Kulica.

It might feel like winter but it’s a tropical Friday at Taboo Island, a show at Redwood Raks with SambAmore, WoMama and Papa Houli and the Fleas. “We’re asking folks to dress up in island wear and help us bring out the tropical vibes,” says Jesse Jonathon, who plays in a couple of the bands. It’s also one of the final shows for Mark O’Hare of the Fleas, who says he’s leaving Humboldt, “in pursuit of a woman who has captured my heart.” The romantic bassist plays a final Papa H. show next Wednesday at Six Rivers.

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