Mother Hips

Back by popular demand, the Mother Hips swung back into town, fresh outta touring in America's most thrilling states, Idaho and Utah. Obviously tired of potatoes and frustrated with the lack of soda availability, coming home to Chico seemed like a good idea. Now a San Francisco based band, Chicoans flocked downtown to get a lick of the comfort music the Hips so generously dish out.
Frontman Tim Bluhm was one tall glass of water in head-to-toe denim and a feathery blond shag. The band eagerly began playing numerous songs off their most recent album, Green Hills of Earth. "Sara Bellum" flooded the stage and the room slowly swelled with praise.
Touring has left the guys with a rock star mystique. They actually have those bearded dudes who come on stage and hand Greg Loiacono and Tim different just-tuned guitars.
The first time I'd ever heard the Hips' music I was instantly hooked. Their simple, yet meaningful lyrics and the beautiful harmony the two crooners create are original and distinctive. Anyone catching a show becomes overwhelmed in the richness of the music and the soul in the performer's faces. Somehow they manage to pull off being light and heavy at the same time. Maybe this is what attracts the large, random fan base. Mother Hips: Not just for hippies anymore! I saw Limp Bizkit-loving-lugs in the front row singing their hearts out, old spinster women, and of course piles of dreads, tye-dye and an alarming number of babies!
Soon enough "Later Days" was played and the dancers danced as the Hips jammed the hell out of an interlude. Eyes squeezed shut, every member of the band floated away into his own world and the music came toppling out. Tim played a song or two off his solo album and Greg rapidly grated his guitar, which was hitched up right below his nipples. The bass player, Isaac Parsons, stiffly plucked all the while sporting a mysterious backpack. There were many guesses leading to its contents including, "maybe cause he's back in Chico he's pretending he's at school" to "whip- its, man." "Smoke" began to flow and backpack thoughts ended while arms shot into the air whenever the chorus repeated the song's title.
Hours passed by, and it seemed all five albums were touched on, when the band exited the stage. They promptly returned, responding to the foot stomping and chanting of "We want Hips!" and concluded with a satisfying four-song encore, including the rowdy "Hey Emilie." I was a little disappointed that they didn't play my top five requests, and there was a bit of grumbling about the sound quality of the building, but all in all it was another fabulous Thursday night. It was the only place in town to catch some California soul.
- Rachel Krampfner
- Photo by D.C. Ramirez

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