Courtesy of Jambase "This Friday was the prime example of why it is a good time to be a Mother Hips fan. The first word went out on the Mother Hips message board The Grotto months ago. The post was titled "Ultimate Setlist Show." The idea was that fans build their dream setlist and submit it to The Mother Hips. The band would then pick a setlist at random and play it in its entirety. There were few criteria: the list could not be more than 36 songs, it needed to be two sets and the band had to have played all of the songs in the show at least once over its near two decade long history. There was no real publicity, but word spread from The Grotto like the tendrils of a grapevine. Those of us that needed to be at the Café du Nord that night would get there. Fans that spanned the band's full history gathered and discussed the impressive possibilities of this "ultimate" idea. No matter whose list was chosen, it would be an epic show." - Review by Andrew Quist

Read the full review-> | Download MP3 of "Been Lost Once"-> | Download the show->

SENSATIONS featuring Greg Loiacono (vocals, guitar), Paul Hoaglin (bass, vocals) and Todd Roper (drums, vocals) have a few shows coming up in December. They don't get to play too much these days because Todd has moved to Oregon. So be sure to catch at least one of these shows: December 10th at The Sweetwater Station in Larkspur (Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers, Michael Torrico will also be on this bill), December 11th at The Connecticut Yankee in S.F (Fred Torphy from Big Light supports) and December 12th in Novato for a freak-filled Friendstock #11. Big light will join on the bill, as well as Michael Torrico. Please bring lights and decorations to this event if it feels right.

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EUROPEAN TOUR 2008 LIMITED EDITION AUTOGRAPHED SCREENPRINTS!
Only 200 available, each hand-numbered by the poster artist, and autographed by Tim and Greg. The boys grabbed a handful of these to take overseas for the Europe mini-tour, but have left quantity back in the States to sale exclusively here. The limited edition poster is a 2-color screen-print, 8 x 30.5 inches, and pressed on 110 lb. Museum White acid free paper. Grab these before they're gone! The posters will ship around the first week of July if all goes well...

MOTHER HIPS ACOUSTIC ON THE GILDED PALACE RADIO SHOW
Making their first visit to the UK (after 16 years!), the Gilded Palace has devoted this week's entire show to the The Mother Hips.  The show includes an exclusive interview with Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacano, a special performance with T&G (recorded in their hotel room at KWest-Shepards Bush, London) and a soundboard recording of their June 24th show at Camden's Dublin Castle.. Tuck in!

MOTHER HIPS ACOUSTIC IN EUROPE!
Tim and Greg, billed as Mother Hips Acoustic, have just wrapped up a few shows performing in Europe. Two shows were supporting Rodrigo Y Gabriela in London and Paris, one date was opening for the Stars in Utrecht, Netherlands and the other two shows were club dates in London. The guys also did an interview with BBC Radio 6 Music News... This was the first time the guys played on European soil! A few of the shows were recorded and may be available for download here in the near future. Stay tuned...
CHECK OUT THE EUROPEAN ACOUSTIC 2008 TOUR GALLERY

TIM BLUHM INTERVIEW AT THE ROCK BAND VIDEO GAME WEBSITE
The Mother Hips have now contributed three tracks in total to the popular video game, Rock Band. While the track "Time We Had" from Kiss The Crystal Flake has been included in the video game since its launch back in November 2007, now "Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear" (also from Kiss The Crystal Flake) and "Red Tandy (alternate version)" from the Red Tandy EP have been added to the game for download. To read an interview from Mother Hips frontman Tim Bluhm about these songs, click here.

Camera Records is proud to release a split 7" vinyl single on April 22 from two acclaimed bands: Isle of Wight’s Mercury prize-nominated The Bees (also known as "A Band of Bees" in America) and esteemed California quartet The Mother Hips. The single offers two brand new tracks, "Papa Echo" by The Bees and "Childish Dreams" by The Mother Hips. The release marks the first studio recordings since 2007’s Octopus by The Bees and Kiss The Crystal Flake by The Mother Hips. The record is a must have for afficionados who truly appreciate the psychedelic-70’s-power-pop movement. 

“Papa Echo” from The Bees swirls their well-known psychedelia with blazing Latin-jazz and salsa rhythms.  Side AA’s "Childish Dreams" from The Mother Hips brings a fresh punch to the bands' repertoire, "melding heady Revolver-era vocals with Zombies-esque pop."  The antique green sleeve was screen-printed in NYC with hand-drawn lettering by Hugh Miller Surratt, the resident poster artist at Michigan State University from 1970-1975, drawing posters for Miles Davis, The Byrds, Frank Zappa, and The Grateful Dead, among others.

Orders are being taken now. All orders received a free download of each track within 24 hours of placing the order. This is a limited edition release and these songs will not be available to download individually without purchasing the vinyl. These tracks will not be available via iTunes or any other digital distribution retailer. Order here.

HOUSE OF BLUHM
Tim Bluhm's new album entitled House of Bluhm produced by Jackie Greene and Tim is out now on Tim's own Little Sur Recording label. Other players include Jackie Greene, Mike Curry (Jackpot, Skinny Singers), John Hofer (Mother Hips, Oranger), Steve Adams (ALO), Dan Lebowitz (ALO), and Nicki Bluhm. For sound clips and to purchase either the CD or download of House of Bluhm, click here.

Their songs blend together almost as well as their soaring vocal harmonies which give a breathtaking lift to just about every song on ['Kiss the Crystal Flake'] - Tim Sendra, AllMusicGuide.com

----- WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW -----

It's been a long time comin'... 6 years to be exact... And the wait is now over! April 3rd marked the official release date for Kiss The Crystal Flake, the new studio album by California’s The Mother Hips on New York based-indie Camera Records. It is the follow up to the acclaimed Red Tandy EP (Camera Records, 2005) and the first full album for The Hips since 2001’s Green Hills of the Earth. Featuring 12 new songs Kiss The Crystal Flake reintroduces the world to The Mother Hips’ own brand of California rock, blending a natural psychedelia with their own 21st century musicianship and songwriting. It is produced by The Mother Hips with Badman Recording Co. founder Dylan Magierek (Mark Kozelek, Call and Response, Erlend Oye.)

Also being released is a special version of Kiss The Crystal Flake which includes a bonus 50-minute DVD providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the recording process while also shedding light on the individual personalities of band members and producer Dylan Magierek. Included in the DVD are interviews, videos of six full songs being recorded in the studio and montages of the band working thru song arrangements. Also caught on tape are band injuries and comedic tabloidal portrayals uncovering secrets of each band member.

- ORDER CD -
- DOWNLOAD DIRECT FROM THE MOTHER HIPS -

“Many things have come our way,” said singer/guitarist Greg Loiacono. “Opportunities, challenges, gifts, hard times and misfortune. Kiss the Crystal Flake is about embracing everything. It's about standing face to face with whatever comes. "This album is almost like a debut album for us,” explains singer/guitarist Tim Bluhm. “It is very different from anything we recorded in the past. You know that saying about wishing you knew then what you know now? Kiss The Crystal Flake is that coming true."

'KISS THE CRYSTAL FLAKE ON VINYL IS HERE!
Camera Records is taking orders and shipping vinyl Kiss The Crystal Flake LP’s! This is a Limited Edition Virgin Vinyl LP pressing. (Includes gatefold jacket) The entire album was recorded and mixed to analog tape. This is the essence of what the Hips captured in the studio. A truly wonderful headphone listening experience as well. This is the sound!

The album is available either as a CD or download (artwork included) available in mp3, aac, or flac format direct from skinnysingers.com.

SKINNY SINGERS VIDEOS
If you were unable to catch the record release party in San Francisco on September 13th, be sure to check out videos of a few tunes, including a special guest appearance by bass player Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. Check it out.

HALLOWEEN 2006!
For the ninth time, the Mother Hips, also joined this year by Jackie Greene on keys, celebrated Halloween with their fans at the infamous Sweetwater Saloon in Mill Valley on October 31st. As usual, the band was in full costume, as was most of the audience. Once again, a great time was had by all! And don't think that the costumes get in the way of the rock... Quite the contrary. See for your self!

DVD! BEAUTY ROCK: LIVE AT THE CATALYST

The new Mother Hips DVD entitled Beauty Rock: Live At The Catalyst is now out! The movie focuses on footage of the band on stage in Santa Cruz in January 2003 (just prior to when they were calling it quits), along with interviews with band leaders Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono four months into their hiatus, reflecting on the path the band had taken over its 15 year career. Also included is some rare early footage and photos. View the movie trailer here! Head over to the Audio/Video section for an 11 minute video of "Figure 11."
We are now shipping the new DVD Beauty Rock: Live At The Catalyst. The DVD is also available at Amoeba Records in San Francisco, Rasputin Records in Berkeley, and Mod Lang Records in El Cerrito, CA.
DISCLAIMER: WHILE THIS MOVIE FOCUSES ON A TIME WHEN THE MOTHER HIPS WERE ON HIATUS, WE WANT IT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE HIPS ARE BACK WITH A VENGEANCE! KEEP IN TUNE WITH MOTHERHIPS.COM FOR TOUR DATES!