Any Hootie fans out there? I know that they played in Houston last Friday (not sure where). If anyone went, please share a review. Anyways, I just got back from seeing them at a small amphitheater here (5 to 10 thousand seater), and the were absolutely amazing! They still have it. They played for, literally 2 hours and 15 minutes STRAIGHT. Three encores, with about 4 songs on each encore. All in all, I'd say they played at least 30 songs. They were absolutely brilliant. We don't really get many concerts in our area (this is a Summer area, basically), and they kept commenting on how much they loved the area. Now, that's usually something everyone would say, but it felt genuine. They all seemed like nice guys, and had HUGE smiles on their faces for each of the encores. Then, they ended saying, "If we come back next year, you guys better be here." It was pretty exciting. Now, I've never been the biggest Hootie fan. I mean, I like many songs they sing, but I don't know every song or anything, but I think tonight may have changed me. They did two covers, also, which were excellent! Losing My Religion, and Keep Your Hands to Yourself. Okay, I think I'm done.
I used to be a really big fan....I've seen them two or three times in concert, and they put on a good show. Since they essentially started off as a frat party band, they seem to be able to translate that to the big stage and audience well, especially with their covers. (When I saw them in the past, they covered songs like "Love the One you're with," "Mustang Sally," and "Interstate Love Song." Anyway, I haven't gotten any of their newer stuff, but I still find their stuff enjoyable, mostly because I really dig Darius Rucker's voice. I hated how they received such a fan backlash after EVERYONE and their mom owned "Cracked Rear View" back in the day. Great album, imo....
Darius does have a GREAT GREAT voice. I remember he sang the national anthem at the All-star game (I believe) in Houston. It was a great rendition. What sucks is that the guitarist threw a pick to me, but it fell short. I reached my hand up as everyone was rushing the stage. I was like 10 feet from the stage, and when I reached up, he grabbed a pick, and threw it to me. It fell like 3 feet short.
They played to an estmiated 10k plus crowd last week in Houston. Couldn't make it, but heard it was great. They're releasing a live cd called "Live in Charleston" this tuesday. It's their first one in 11 years and it really captures their live energy. It's pretty much a live greatest hits album. They cover everthing from "Only Wanna Be With You" to their new songs "Hey Sister Pretty" and "Get Outta My Mind" which stack up with any of their material. Touring seems to be getting stronger by the year for them. Their homegrown concerts so far are pulling between 10 and 15,000 wherevever they go. Hopefully they'll be able to build a little momentum within the next year or so before releasing another album. If you haven't heard their latest studio album "Looking for Lucky" you need to check it out. It is their most commercial album since "Cracked Rear View". You'll be very surprised how good it turned out. Their 20 years in and still right some of the catchiest hooks in the industry. It's a shame radio ignores it for the most part.
My boys know this, but this is too sweet. When I was Social Chairman at my frat, and also a Country singer, I said that we should book this group named "Hootie" for their recent hit. We could afford them, and I wanted to do something to placate the Pike debacle of 90 when they got Garth Brooks. I was outvoted 6-1 in favor of a bunch of crappy Texas bands. (ie. "5" decent up-and coming bands was better value than "1" "good" band) That still makes me livid (apparently, this is my "new" favorite word. I'm a happy camper!) Needless to say, I got crapped on. BUT! I get to see a lot of them in Dallas on Sept. 16. I will definitely defacate on all of them. And if T-Rex (TCU) ends up winning, he won't come back to Houston without a major limp.
Something else I forgot to add... We noticed, in the crowd, one of my old P.E. Teachers. He was always a cool guy, and looked like he was getting a little more into the concert than he normally would. As we all rushed the staged, we ended up standing near him. My friend danced with him, and when I tapped him on the shoulder, he gave me drunken high five. Good times! He also "flashed" Darius Rucker, which was just as hilarious.
Hootie and the Blowfish? Apparently EddieWasSnubbed DID need to get those swollen testicles removed after he got kicked in the nuts...
I find it a little amusing that The Buzz, the same station that openly blasted and refused to play Hootie at the height of their popularity when EVERYONE was buying Cracked Rear View, now continues to play Creed....CREED. Should I be surprised, probably not. Yet it is still a little funny. And I love Hootie...or did. Didn't care for their self-titled album and kinda turned me off to the band. I guess I should check out Looking for Lucky.
The self-titled album was horrendous. They realized it and went in the studio with the guy who produced CRV, Don Gehman. If you'd like to hear it i can send you the tracks via email or AIM. I'd stack these songs up with any of their material. State Your Peace Hey Sister Pretty Get Out Of My Mind One Love Can I See You
I've heard some samples and it sounds good enough; Everytime I was thinking about geting it I decided not to for whatever reason though. Guess I should just buy it already...the only album of theirs I havent liked was the self-titled one.
I talked to someone at a local bar who saw them here in Austin last week or so. She, too, was raving about the new album, so I might go pick it up this week when that live album comes out.
I know, and remember them playing Hey Sister Pretty, Get Out of My Mind, One Love, and I think Can I See You. All were great.
Our fraternity laughed at our social chair when he told us he could book this band called "Fish" from Vermont for 5 grand. We wanted The Truly Dangerous Swamp Band instead. Oh well.
The irony of this is I heard constant references to Hootie while watching Fairly Oddparents this morning. Nice group...great cartoon!
