 Gin Blossoms |
 Supermint |
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Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis Though it seems like only yesterday when the Gin Blossoms were riding high upon the alternative, college and even pop radio charts, next year will actually mark its twentieth anniversary. After spending its first five years working the club circuit around its Tempe, Arizona home base, the group struck gold with its landmark album New Miserable Experience, propelled by the strength of its contagious single "Hey Jealously." In the time that's passed, the gang
released a relatively successful follow-up CD, made a
splash on the Empire Records soundtrack, took time out
for the Gas Giants and The Low/Watts offshoot acts,
and most recently, reunited to return to its
jangle-pop roots.Despite not earning the fanfare of its peak period, the Gin Blossoms are experiencing a resurgence or sorts come 2006's Major Lodge Victory, which landed on the Billboard Top 200 (the group's first time in a decade) and produced the insanely catchy hit "Learning the Hard Way." Of course front man Robin Wilson and his cohorts wanted to display the project as much as possible come this special 9FM/Bud Light One Night Stand, but unlike most bands trying to hawk new product to uninterested ears, the Chicago-area crowd soaked in the fresh sentiments. Songs such as "Come On Hard" and "The End of the World" were laced with sweetly sung melodies and sunny hooks but with a contemporary flair, while "Heart Shaped Locket" evoked the group's mid-90s glory days. And since that period was clearly what attendees came to hear, the Blossoms made sure to bounce through the most necessary career crests, especially the key cuts from Experience and 1996's Congratulations...I'm Sorry.  The band echoed early R.E.M. during "Follow You
Down" and "Found Out About You," also showcasing a
softer side a la 10,000 Maniacs with "Allison Road."
"As Long As It Matters" and "Til I Hear It from You"
made further references to yesteryear, though it was
"Hey Jealously" that struck the most captivating
chord. Wilson took advantage of the perpetual
sing-a-long by playfully interacting with the crowd
(even singing into several raised cell phones) without
allowing it to take on a cheesy karaoke motif. In
doing so, along with the alluring comeback album, the
Blossoms are officially back in business, cranking out
good old fashioned college rock n' roll without the
pressures of the initial go-around.In keeping with the spirit of reunions, local heroes Supermint reconvened after a somewhat lengthy absence from members' individual projects. The long time Gin Blossoms tour partners (dating all the way back to the Gas Giants days) brought back its glistening, Cheap Trick-inspired power pop with an alternative underpinning. Songs were split between 2004's Off to Stupidville (including the infections "Going Thru the Motions" and the boisterous "Overrated") along with its self-titled debut disc. As an added surprise, the foursome turned in a rollicking cover of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' "American Girl" with the Blossoms' Wilson on lead vocals. While it was impossible to gauge if a new Supermint record's on the way, each individual player remained sharp as a tack and earned a raucous response from a significant up front cluster happy to have the band back, if only for one night. |
 Supermint |
 Supermint |
 Supermint |
