01-15-2004, 01:08 AM
A view from an SOB Hipfan (south of the border Hipfan):
I've been into these guys for well over a decade. I buy every album, travel to see as many shows as my time and budget will allow, check their site and the fan sites such as these pretty much everyday. I'm sure that most of you Hipbasers are the same way. My cravings for new Hip stuff (music, info, shows) gives me more insight about the band than most casual fans (if the Hip have casual fans) are worried about.
My friend Brian (who loves the Hip and I'm sure considers them to be one of his very favorite bands) is the guy that introduced me to UTH back in 1990. He has seen the Hip every time they've been to Mpls-St. Paul since then and has travelled with me to see shows in other states. I remember what Brian said as we were driving back in the middle of the night from a show several hours away back in 1998. He said, "...still my favorite thing about these guys is the shroud of mystery and intrigue they bring to town along with their stardom. You don't see videos by them on MTV. They're not giving interviews in Rolling Stone. They're not on the radio. And yet they are STARS who come and just blow every other band away. Nobody can figure out Gordon Downie, and that guy just leaves you wanting more. And not just more music; more info! What's he rambling about? Is he sane? What'll he and the band do next? But you know that you're just not gonna find that stuff out because these guys, intentionally or not (I really doubt its intentional) just fly below the radar with that stuff. No US band this great could do that if they tried! I think they use it to their advantage image-wise...."
Brian still loves the Hip and will (I'm sure) be at the next show and buy the next record. While I'll be listening to previews of the album online as well as checking out photos and setlists from shows before they come 'round, Brian resists "the dangerous tug" and instead enjoys "the beautiful lull" between records. That prolongs some of the wonder and magic for him. I can't help but be a little jealous.
I've been into these guys for well over a decade. I buy every album, travel to see as many shows as my time and budget will allow, check their site and the fan sites such as these pretty much everyday. I'm sure that most of you Hipbasers are the same way. My cravings for new Hip stuff (music, info, shows) gives me more insight about the band than most casual fans (if the Hip have casual fans) are worried about.
My friend Brian (who loves the Hip and I'm sure considers them to be one of his very favorite bands) is the guy that introduced me to UTH back in 1990. He has seen the Hip every time they've been to Mpls-St. Paul since then and has travelled with me to see shows in other states. I remember what Brian said as we were driving back in the middle of the night from a show several hours away back in 1998. He said, "...still my favorite thing about these guys is the shroud of mystery and intrigue they bring to town along with their stardom. You don't see videos by them on MTV. They're not giving interviews in Rolling Stone. They're not on the radio. And yet they are STARS who come and just blow every other band away. Nobody can figure out Gordon Downie, and that guy just leaves you wanting more. And not just more music; more info! What's he rambling about? Is he sane? What'll he and the band do next? But you know that you're just not gonna find that stuff out because these guys, intentionally or not (I really doubt its intentional) just fly below the radar with that stuff. No US band this great could do that if they tried! I think they use it to their advantage image-wise...."
Brian still loves the Hip and will (I'm sure) be at the next show and buy the next record. While I'll be listening to previews of the album online as well as checking out photos and setlists from shows before they come 'round, Brian resists "the dangerous tug" and instead enjoys "the beautiful lull" between records. That prolongs some of the wonder and magic for him. I can't help but be a little jealous.