The recent reunion of the early '90s A&M band The Gin Blossoms, now on tour, gave me the opportunity last night to hear them perform in a small venue close to home. Four original members, with a new drummer, comprise the current line-up, and their hour and a half-long energetic performance held the crowd's attention through two encores.
Blue Cat's in the Knoxvile (TN) Old City was the venue, and tickets were $10 apiece. Besides several singles/EPs, the Gin Blossoms released two albums on A&M, NEW MISERABLE EXPERIENCE (5403 -- the last item in the 4100 series) in 1992 and CONGRATULATIONS I'M SORRY in 1996.
Personnel included Bill Leen (bass), Scott Johnson (guitar), Robin Wilson (vocal --- not to be confused with the female vocalist subject of next week's AOTW) and Jesse Valenzuela (guitar/vocal). Valenzuela's solo material was included in the program. The remaining songs included:
Allison Road/ Cajun Song/ Mrs. Rita/ Idiot Summer/ Lost Horizons/ I Promise not to Hurt You/ Pieces of the Night/ Found Out About You/ Till I Hear from You/ Hey Jealousy/ Follow You Down/ Until I Fall Away/ Kelly Richards/ Cowboy Song (cover of a Thin Lizzy tune).
The sound quality was excellent, and (for those who've never heard them) the vocals are reminiscent of The Byrds. Be sure to catch their show if they come your way.
JB
PS: I haven't calculated how many years it will take until NEW MISERABLE EXPERIENCE becomes AOTW. After 5403 the next item was "0000" (Carpenters box set).
www.gin-blossoms.com
Blue Cat's in the Knoxvile (TN) Old City was the venue, and tickets were $10 apiece. Besides several singles/EPs, the Gin Blossoms released two albums on A&M, NEW MISERABLE EXPERIENCE (5403 -- the last item in the 4100 series) in 1992 and CONGRATULATIONS I'M SORRY in 1996.
Personnel included Bill Leen (bass), Scott Johnson (guitar), Robin Wilson (vocal --- not to be confused with the female vocalist subject of next week's AOTW) and Jesse Valenzuela (guitar/vocal). Valenzuela's solo material was included in the program. The remaining songs included:
Allison Road/ Cajun Song/ Mrs. Rita/ Idiot Summer/ Lost Horizons/ I Promise not to Hurt You/ Pieces of the Night/ Found Out About You/ Till I Hear from You/ Hey Jealousy/ Follow You Down/ Until I Fall Away/ Kelly Richards/ Cowboy Song (cover of a Thin Lizzy tune).
The sound quality was excellent, and (for those who've never heard them) the vocals are reminiscent of The Byrds. Be sure to catch their show if they come your way.
JB
PS: I haven't calculated how many years it will take until NEW MISERABLE EXPERIENCE becomes AOTW. After 5403 the next item was "0000" (Carpenters box set).
www.gin-blossoms.com
