Gin Blossoms

alternative

The Gin Blossoms are an alternative rock band formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona. They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption W.C. Fields with gin blossoms, referring to the actor's gin-ravaged nose. The band released three albums and had several hits in the mid 1990s, before breaking up in 1997. Five years later in 2002, the band reunited, released a DVD, resumed touring, and promised a fourth album. Major Lodge Victory, the Gin Blossoms' first album in ten years, was released on August 8, 2006 on the Hybrid Recordings label. The band, today, is considered to have a wide influence on modern rock, due to its consolidation of melodic rock, folk, and country elements. Members during the band's early years included guitarist and songwriter Doug Hopkins, bassist Bill Leen, vocalist Robin Wilson, guitarist Richard Taylor, drummer Chris McCann, McCann's replacement Dan Henzerling, and Taylor's replacement Jesse Valenzuela. During their early years, the Gin Blossoms became well-known locally around their hometown of Tempe, Arizona. With the band's frequent touring and resulting increase in popularity, the Blossoms also independently recorded their first full-length album, Dusted. By the early 1990s, the lineup had changed to Leen on bass, Hopkins on guitar, Valenzuela on guitar and vocals, Wilson on vocals and acoustic guitar, and Phillip Rhodes on drums. After being signed with A&M Records, the band began to work on their debut album. Initial attempts to create their first major-label record failed, to the dismay of their record label and fans alike. To buy time, the band first released an EP, Up and Crumbling, then tried once again to develop the first-class record they had so far unsuccessfully tried to create. Unfortunately, the Gin Blossoms had yet to face their most trying times as a band. Hey Jealousy (1993) Play sound Written by Hopkins before his dismissal from the band, Hey Jealousy was a huge success for the band. The song is a man's plea for his former girlfriend to let him in. It reached #25 on the US Billboard chart. Found Out About You (1994) Play sound The second hit by Hopkins (and the second to reach #25 on the Billboard chart) the song is the bands only #1 hit, topping the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US. The song's theme focuses on rumors following a couple's breakup. Problems listening to these files? See media help. Without Doug and his songwriting, we never could have signed a record deal. —Robin Wilson (...