Can Anyone Explain the Tragically Hip to Me?
The Tragically Hip
Mark C. Austin Before The Hip's July 26 set in Pemberton B.C., I overheard one kid in the crowd say, "It's too Canadian to pass up."
When: June 17
Where: The Moore
Cost: $35, via Ticketmaster, on Friday
The Hip are as big in Canada is Burt Reynolds is down here. And I just don't get it. At all. Last year at Pemberton Fest my friend and I -- seemingly the only Americans in the room -- couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. I don't know. I don't like mayo on my burger, either.
PRESS RELEASE:
SEATTLE - Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents The Tragically Hip on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Moore Theatre.
Formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, The Tragically Hip came together with childhood friends Gordon Downie (vocals), Bobby Baker (guitar), Paul Langlois (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass), and Johnny Fay (drums). The group took their name from a Michael Nesmith video entitled Elephant Parts and focused on making a name for themselves in the local scene during the mid-'80s. While performing Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern, MCA Records president Bruce Dickinson was impressed by the Hip's infectious live presence and offered them a deal. A self-titled eponymous EP appeared in 1987, but it took the band two years to get critical attention. Their proper studio debut effort, 1989's Up to Here boasted the swagger of "Blow at High Dough" and Downie's powerful songcraft was blossoming. College charts were instantly attracted and fellow Canadians were appreciative of The Tragically Hip's insatiable appeal. Road Apples, issued in 1991, was moderately successful; however, the band's third album, Fully Completely (1993), allowed for international crossover. Singles such as "Courage" and "Wheat Kings" became mainstays in pockets of Michigan and New York; the Hip were slowly being noticed and American fans began cherishing them as much as their Canadian loyalists. They continued with a steady rise for 1995's somber storm, Day for Night, and their star power was burgeoning. Sold-out tours across Canada and Midwest America and a spot on Saturday Night Live catupulted the vibrance of "Grace, Too" onto modern rock charts. The Tragically Hip were becoming an anthemic band among the split indie and rock crowds, practically on the verge of being an arena attraction.
Trouble at the Henhouse, their first for Atlantic, was blistering with similar passion of Day for Night, but released too closely to the previous effort. It wasn't radio-friendly enough for America, either, but the band wasn't concerned. The Hip trudged on, selling out countless dates in North America. Downie, who was also a poetic madman, composed a frenzied stage presence and the band's tight rhythm was infectious. The mix of roots rock and light country tinges was something tangible for the mid-'90s grunge reign. While touring in support of Trouble at the Henhouse, the Hip recorded their first-ever live album, Live Between Us (1997). This particular album captured an astonishing night at Detroit's Cobo Arena in 1996 and was uncut and unfearing. The band was at the top of its game, never selling out to corporate ideals. They were a stadium sensation without ever having a major hit in America. The rest of the '90s were a time of rest, but also a period when the band returned to basics of true rock & roll grit.
Phantom Power (1998), the band's sixth studio album, eighth overall, marked their most cohesive work to date. It was also their debut for Sire Records. The album was recorded in the band's hometown of Kingston and the songs themselves were cathartic and seductive. "Fireworks" and "Poets" were again mainstays on college radio. A showcase at Woodstock '99 proved glorious for Canadians the next summer. Music @ Work followed in summer 2000 with subsequent U.S. tours with Guster. The next year, Gordon Downie put his pen to paper for a book of poetry and a solo album, entitled Coke Machine Glow. Downie returned to the studio in 2001 to join his bandmates for another Hip record. Producer Hugh Padgham (Split Enz, XTC, Phil Collins) was also on board to tweak The Tragically Hip's ninth record, In Violet Light, issued in June 2002. In Between Evolution, the band most instrospective work yet, followed in summer 2004. The following year saw the release of Hipeponymous, a limited-edition box set that included the two-disc greatest-hits compilation Yer Favorites and the live DVD That Night in Toronto: Pierre & Francois Lamoureux as well as a bonus DVD of all of the group's videos. Fellow Canadian and famed producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe) signed on for the Hip's 11th studio LP, World Container. Intimate club shows in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal were also scheduled in celebration of its release in fall 2006.
The Hip have recorded 15+ songs at The Bath House Recording Studio in Bath, Ontario, twelve of which will appear on their upcoming 12th album. Short videos showing the recording process of the new album have been posted at thehip.com, the newly re-launched official website of the band. A new live recording is also posted in the media player section of the frequently updated site. The new album is again produced by Bob Rock, will be released in North America on April 7th, 2009 and is titled We are the Same.
Tickets: $35.00, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale Friday, March 6 at 10am at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount or Moore Theatres box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
19 comment(s)
Jonathan C says:
Canadians have their own music taste and rightfully so.
I've never been a huge fan either. But I do like bands that make music videos like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd-x9H6lfMs&feature=related
Posted On: Monday, Mar. 2 2009 @ 12:52PM
Jody Wynnyk says:
You definitely have to be Canadian to fully appreciate the Hip.
I think the Hip hits a nerve with Canadians, because they reference many social artifiacts that have shaped who we are (eg. the CBC, isolation, cold weather and hockey), as well as pinpointing many of the emotions that Canadians have living next door to the United States. I don't think there's an American musical equivalent that does the same thing since Americans don't typically factor the impact of living next door to Canada or Mexico into their daily existence.
Another gift the Tragically Hip have, is honing on regions of Canada and making it feel like a song they wrote was written especially for you - I grew up on the prairies of Alberta and listening to their song 'Wheat Kings' can transport me back there anytime.
And finally, the music of the Tragically Hip is a thread for Canadians. I live in Portland, OR, now, but when I attend their concert here in June, I will talk easily with fellow Canadians about the band. The Hip's music brings Canadians (of a certain age) together, no matter where they are on Earth, and that's pretty powerful.
Posted On: Monday, Mar. 2 2009 @ 3:43PM
Mark C. Austin says:
See what no one knows is that the Hip are technically from Alaska, thus duping the lovely folks Canadia. This is clearly a travis-sham-mockery in my eyes. We should sue.
-Mark
(ps. Thanks for the credit on my pic. You are my hero, Mr. Kornelis. MY HERO!)
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar. 3 2009 @ 7:32AM
Roy McClean says:
You don't like mayo on your burger? No wonder you don't get the Hip.
You probably don't like beer with more than 4% alcohol content either or leaving your front door unlocked at night.
The Hip are a Canadian thing... and thank God for that. (By the by boy... I think She is a Canadian too!)
Eh?
P.S. Keep your stick on the ice.
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar. 3 2009 @ 3:00PM
Merideth says:
I have tried to get non-Canadians into The Hip, and for the most part, they just don't get it. We are a passionate people when it comes to supporting Canadians... And even more so when they stay in Canada and celebrate their Canadian identity the way The Hip does. Many people feel that to be Canadian is to have a lack of national identity, and The Hip proves this theory wrong. :)
Posted On: Sunday, Mar. 8 2009 @ 11:05PM
Aimee says:
Actually.... my husband and I are both quite American - (Yay, Central Washington!)- and The Hip have been our favorite band since 1992. I hated them for about a year... even while my husband was growing ever more obsessed with them. And then... one day, out of the blue, while I was listening to a particular song called "Nautical Disaster" - it hit me. This band wasn't just great. They were phenomenal, and their singer, Gord Downie, was a genius.
I can't imagine life without the Hip's music in it now.
We consider ourselves part of a very lucky group of Americans who 'get it'. And we are treated to small venue concerts that would make most Canadians drool with envy.
When The Hip come to play in the States, they pull out all the stops. They are thing to behold. If you don't 'get' The Hip, you should at least head to one of these concerts to check it out.
As for explaining The Hip... well, there is no explaining. You either get it, or you don't. And when you do, it's bliss of the most frenetic, rocking, lyrical, ranting, sarcastic, insightful, lost-in-the-music kind.
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar. 10 2009 @ 9:56PM
John Graham says:
I am a Canadian, living in Vancouver, BC. I'm a huge Hip fan and I see no reason why one would need to be Canadian to appreciate the Hip. I've seen them live about 10 times and each time they've been amazing. Their current tour, in support of We Are The Same, is a special one, with no opening act and including an intermission. It will be more intimate and unique than their standard arena shows (which are fantastic as well).
If you have the evening free when they come to your town, and you love intimate, alt. rock/folk/rock, then check them out. Also, check out their new cd We Are The Same. It is fantastic. Check out www.thehip.com to see some of their videos.
Cheers from Canada
John
ps- I don't particularly like mayo on my burgers (or french fries), but I do occasionally like vinegar on fries...
Posted On: Sunday, May. 24 2009 @ 11:43AM
John Graham says:
I am a Canadian, living in Vancouver, BC. I'm a huge Hip fan and I see no reason why one would need to be Canadian to appreciate the Hip. I've seen them live about 10 times and each time they've been amazing. Their current tour, in support of We Are The Same, is a special one, with no opening act and including an intermission. It will be more intimate and unique than their standard arena shows (which are fantastic as well).
If you have the evening free when they come to your town, and you love intimate, alt. rock/folk/rock, then check them out. Also, check out their new cd We Are The Same. It is fantastic. Check out www.thehip.com to see some of their videos.
Cheers from Canada
John
ps- I don't particularly like mayo on my burgers (or french fries), but I do occasionally like vinegar on fries...
Posted On: Sunday, May. 24 2009 @ 11:44AM
Nichole says:
I am not from canada, grew up here in the great USA. My parents learned of the hip from a great friend of theirs, who appens to be born and raised here in the states, and ever since than i have listened to them religiously. on road trips, cleaning the house, walking to work....ALL THE TIME!!!! the hip are a band that makes you think. you need to listen to the words; just sit and ponder the meanings in their songs. they're not for everybody, but those that do get them, that relly appreciate their talent are the people who apprciate some really good music. i'm not saying that the people who don't listen have crappy taste in music, i'm just saying that those that do know them probably have some of the greatest bands of all time in their music collection. i suggest giving them a try, see what they're all about. you might be pleasently surprissed, and you too might be one of those "non-canadian" fans. can't wait to see them at the moore!!!!
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 15 2009 @ 1:45AM
Randall says:
Just saw the Hip last night at the Moore Theater in Seattle and it was AWESOME!! I'm American and LOVE the Hip. I was wondering if anyone knows how to get a playlist of the songs they performed last night? I didn't think to bring a pen and paper last night so . . . Anyway, I want to burn a CD of all the songs they performed and need a playlist.
Thanks in advance,
Randall
P.S. Mayo on burger? Not usually.
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 18 2009 @ 3:15PM
stringerhz says:
Wife and I are all-american and totally into hip thanks to years of canadien FM radio. Never understood lack of US appeal; maybe something to do with big radio politics bs. Also huge Rush fans and they do ok here so??
Fine show at Moore last night but sound/feedback was too excessive and murky, too bad. I think it all has to do with Ketchup chips.
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 18 2009 @ 4:02PM
stringerhz says:
Wife and I are all-american and totally into hip thanks to years of canadien FM radio. Never understood lack of US appeal; maybe something to do with big radio politics bs. Also huge Rush fans and they do ok here so??
Fine show at Moore last night but sound/feedback was too excessive and murky, too bad. I think it all has to do with Ketchup chips.
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 18 2009 @ 4:03PM
nichy says:
saw the hip wed night and it was awesome!!!! better than i coud've ever expected. i hope they come to seattle again...i'll be first in line!!!
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 12:39PM
nichy says:
saw the hip wed night and it was awesome!!!! better than i coud've ever expected. i hope they come to seattle again...i'll be first in line!!!
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 19 2009 @ 12:40PM
VioletLite says:
What's not to get??? The Tragically Hip is the BEST BAND ON THE PLANET! No I am not Canadian!!!! Never in my life have I seen a band with so much energy and the ability to create so much atmosphere at a show. It astounds me that they aren't huge south of the border. You can't manufacture this kind of raw energy and pure quirky charisma that Gord Downie possesses. LONG LIVE THE HIP!!!!
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 21 2009 @ 8:53PM
Jeffro says:
Wow!
You don't get it thats all good. I am American and I dont care where this band is from The Hip Rocks! I have seen them seven over and would see them any chance I get--you not having a clue makes more opprotunities for those that gel with the Hip.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 21 2009 @ 9:00PM
Steve says:
The Hip are by far the most powerful live band I have ever seen. That includes the likes of The Stones, The Boss and U2.
@ Randall if you want a setlist copy head on over to hipbase.com.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 22 2009 @ 6:27AM
RedBarchetta says:
I'm in the UK and have been a Hip fan for 15 years after hearing a couple of their early CDs. I think having an appreciation of Canada and what it's about helps to understand the Hip's music somewhat. Or you could just go see them live and you should really get them at that point :-)
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 2:42AM
EricW says:
You need a higher appreciation for music. perhaps listen to 'Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man' or 'Flemenco'
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 4:08AM