[cochise]

Hope I am wrong, but I have a bad gut feeling. Lets face it, the last tour almost seemed like they were just "going through the motions". With all this silence and everyone off doing their own thing, I wonder what this may mean for The Hip.

Again, really hope I am wrong

[sean.bonner]

Hope I am wrong, but I have a bad gut feeling. Lets face it, the last tour almost seemed like they were just "going through the motions". With all this silence and everyone off doing their own thing, I wonder what this may mean for The Hip.

Again, really hope I am wrong

They definetly weren't going through the motions when I saw them in Halifax last February... fantastic performance, excellent set list.

[redhill]

maybe an extended break is really needed by them all

[spottrax]

There are so many takes on what is up with the Hip currently. I'm thinking they are simply on an extended break with some members doing their own projects to keep them busy while Gord Downie is committed to his solo album and tour dates. Like Robbie Baker told someone recently, he's hoping the Hip do some shows in the fall. I believe GD is wanting to continue to be creative and move forward musically. The Sadies have given him something different and the guys in the Hip can be with their families for the year. The Hip are a money generating machine for the rest of the band and will be back in action at some point. Probably more festival shows next summer, maybe some casino shows this fall. I'm not counting on any more albums or major tours though.....(hope I'm wrong).....My two cents.

[direwolf74]

The Hip are a money generating machine for the rest of the band and will be back in action at some point. Probably more festival shows next summer, maybe some casino shows this fall. I'm not counting on any more albums or major tours though.....(hope I'm wrong).....My two cents.

I hope you're wrong too. Because if they've become nothing more than a dinosaur act playing festivals and casinos just for the cash, then they're dead to me. I understand the need to support their families, and there's nothing wrong with that. But if they're not going to move forward artistically as a band, then what's the point of continuing? I hate to keep using Pearl Jam as a measuring stick, but there's a good reason for it. Those guys have families to support too, and they play the hits as well just like any band. But what sets them apart is that they also challenge themselves by mixing in deep album cuts, b-sides, and interesting covers, which makes for a really unique and exciting concert experience for the fans who pay money to see them. Hell, there was even one show on their last tour where they actually let a fan write the setlist. The Hip could learn a few things from their Seattle cousins about how to keep the money machine rolling without compromising their artistic integrity.

[spottrax]

Obviously everything we say on here about the status of the Hip is speculation. However, I firmly believe the band re-evaluated itself financially after the 09 tour and decided to make substantial changes to the way it does business. I posted on here before somewhere that I'm thinking the 09 tour (probably my favorite tour ever) was not financially successful. The overhead on that tour would've been huge! An extra musician, a larger lightshow and backdrop, a secondary acoustic set-up each night (probably required another head or two in the crew) and much more rehearsal time. The WC album was probably very expensive (Bob Rock, probably large production and manufacturing costs) as well as most likely large promotional costs from Universal. All of this overhead would've been made back if the tour made a large amount of money but I'm guessing it probably didn't. So the Hips other option would be to become a "dinosaur act" and play higher paying festivals and casino shows. The Hip wouldn't have to lug around a PA, they could use minimal lights, no extra production costs (eliminate the extra musician, the extra acoustic stage setup). Also, most the shows, the band doesn't pay for an opening act. Either they don't have one (hence the "an evening with" tag) or the festival organizers pay for the openers...but not the Hip (or the record label). The NFPA tour was about as minimal as they come. I'm sure the band's goal was to make maximum cash and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am about the same age as the band members. Pure speculation here but I'm guessing their kids are either in HS or early college.....very very expensive. Another interesting thought is the boarder crossing is now by passport or enhanced license. As of 2010, fans could no longer cross with little effort to catch a Hip show. That eliminates the larger, money making possibilities in boarder cities (ie Detroit). It's all an interesting enigma. My biggest question on the Hip's status is...Why not release remastered cd's, B-sides and the backlog of live stuff to us fans? Does the band feel there is no need and that is a step backwards? Is the overhead to high to provide a profit on those sorts of releases? I would think the band needs to keep fan interest up in order to fill casino and festival gigs in the future. GD solo does that a little but not like official Hip stuff would. I just guess we (on hipbase) can only hope for a surprise and a rejuvenated band in the fall or 2015.

[Rye]

I think people are reading too much into this break. After Music @ Work they took almost all of 2001 off. After IVL they took almost all of 2003 off. After IBE they took most of 2005 off and a good chunk of 2006. After WC they took time off in 2008. After We Are The Same they basically didn't play any shows in 2010. The album/tour cycle for the latest recorded stretched out almost a year, now they're taking a year off.

[Escape@Hand]

Obviously everything we say on here about the status of the Hip is speculation. However, I firmly believe the band re-evaluated itself financially after the 09 tour and decided to make substantial changes to the way it does business. I posted on here before somewhere that I'm thinking the 09 tour (probably my favorite tour ever) was not financially successful. The overhead on that tour would've been huge! An extra musician, a larger lightshow and backdrop, a secondary acoustic set-up each night (probably required another head or two in the crew) and much more rehearsal time. The WC album was probably very expensive (Bob Rock, probably large production and manufacturing costs) as well as most likely large promotional costs from Universal. All of this overhead would've been made back if the tour made a large amount of money but I'm guessing it probably didn't. So the Hips other option would be to become a "dinosaur act" and play higher paying festivals and casino shows. The Hip wouldn't have to lug around a PA, they could use minimal lights, no extra production costs (eliminate the extra musician, the extra acoustic stage setup). Also, most the shows, the band doesn't pay for an opening act. Either they don't have one (hence the "an evening with" tag) or the festival organizers pay for the openers...but not the Hip (or the record label). The NFPA tour was about as minimal as they come. I'm sure the band's goal was to make maximum cash and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am about the same age as the band members. Pure speculation here but I'm guessing their kids are either in HS or early college.....very very expensive. Another interesting thought is the boarder crossing is now by passport or enhanced license. As of 2010, fans could no longer cross with little effort to catch a Hip show. That eliminates the larger, money making possibilities in boarder cities (ie Detroit). It's all an interesting enigma. My biggest question on the Hip's status is...Why not release remastered cd's, B-sides and the backlog of live stuff to us fans? Does the band feel there is no need and that is a step backwards? Is the overhead to high to provide a profit on those sorts of releases? I would think the band needs to keep fan interest up in order to fill casino and festival gigs in the future. GD solo does that a little but not like official Hip stuff would. I just guess we (on hipbase) can only hope for a surprise and a rejuvenated band in the fall or 2015.

I really doubt that money is an issue for any of these guys. They've sold millions of albums, made tonnes of money from tours and merch, and get massive radio play in Canada every single day. They live modestly, according to everything I've heard, and while it is possible that some of them have wasted it (bad investments, partying, etc), I very much doubt that they are simply keeping things together to make money.

I think the layoff is just that they are taking time off; they don't need to do insane touring every single year because they have an established fan base, and they would rather be spending time with their families. I know that I've heard Rob Baker basically say this in an interview in the past year or two.

In regards to the setlist, there may be a conscious effort to play more "greatest hits", but there are different people writing the set lists now too; Rob Baker has taken over that job from the Gords, IIRC, and that could easily be the reason the setlists have changed.

[spottrax]

Obviously everything we say on here about the status of the Hip is speculation. However, I firmly believe the band re-evaluated itself financially after the 09 tour and decided to make substantial changes to the way it does business. I posted on here before somewhere that I'm thinking the 09 tour (probably my favorite tour ever) was not financially successful. The overhead on that tour would've been huge! An extra musician, a larger lightshow and backdrop, a secondary acoustic set-up each night (probably required another head or two in the crew) and much more rehearsal time. The WC album was probably very expensive (Bob Rock, probably large production and manufacturing costs) as well as most likely large promotional costs from Universal. All of this overhead would've been made back if the tour made a large amount of money but I'm guessing it probably didn't. So the Hips other option would be to become a "dinosaur act" and play higher paying festivals and casino shows. The Hip wouldn't have to lug around a PA, they could use minimal lights, no extra production costs (eliminate the extra musician, the extra acoustic stage setup). Also, most the shows, the band doesn't pay for an opening act. Either they don't have one (hence the "an evening with" tag) or the festival organizers pay for the openers...but not the Hip (or the record label). The NFPA tour was about as minimal as they come. I'm sure the band's goal was to make maximum cash and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am about the same age as the band members. Pure speculation here but I'm guessing their kids are either in HS or early college.....very very expensive. Another interesting thought is the boarder crossing is now by passport or enhanced license. As of 2010, fans could no longer cross with little effort to catch a Hip show. That eliminates the larger, money making possibilities in boarder cities (ie Detroit). It's all an interesting enigma. My biggest question on the Hip's status is...Why not release remastered cd's, B-sides and the backlog of live stuff to us fans? Does the band feel there is no need and that is a step backwards? Is the overhead to high to provide a profit on those sorts of releases? I would think the band needs to keep fan interest up in order to fill casino and festival gigs in the future. GD solo does that a little but not like official Hip stuff would. I just guess we (on hipbase) can only hope for a surprise and a rejuvenated band in the fall or 2015.

I really doubt that money is an issue for any of these guys. They've sold millions of albums, made tonnes of money from tours and merch, and get massive radio play in Canada every single day. They live modestly, according to everything I've heard, and while it is possible that some of them have wasted it (bad investments, partying, etc), I very much doubt that they are simply keeping things together to make money.

I think the layoff is just that they are taking time off; they don't need to do insane touring every single year because they have an established fan base, and they would rather be spending time with their families. I know that I've heard Rob Baker basically say this in an interview in the past year or two.

In regards to the setlist, there may be a conscious effort to play more "greatest hits", but there are different people writing the set lists now too; Rob Baker has taken over that job from the Gords, IIRC, and that could easily be the reason the setlists have changed.

I didn't say the guys were in need of money. I only pointed out they made some fundamental changes in their business plan sometime after the 09 tour. I know a few professional musicians/band's who were very successful a couple decades ago and due to the current state of the music industry, they had to really re-think the way they operate. I don't think I am too far off base.

[pars9393]

im sorry but i really think this is all excuses, if they really wanted to do what bands like pearl jam do they could. Instead they make die hard fans suffer by never letting us hear certain songs and now have Gord singing a lot of their "greatest hits" songs way off-key. At what point did we really deserve that? Somebody on this forum must have a connection with Gord and just tell him that he doesn't have to sing the songs exactly the way they are on the albums, but look at some footage of yourself and maybe he will finally see what everyone else is seeing. Hate to use pearl jam as an example again for the most part eddie vedder sings the songs the way they should sound, sorry for the rant I just hope the boys come back strong

[eatmecompletely]

Saw gord with the sadies in nyc last friday
i have to see Gord looks like a new man
he was singing not yelling
really into the music
no guitar
his voice sounded awesome
he was dancing up a storm, but not like an idiot like the past few tours

No heinkie gimmicks either

he didnt look bored he looked inspired

I left and said to my friends I dont think we will be seeing gord with the hip for a while unless he needs money

[Ry222]

I talked to Baker VERY briefly in Kingston at the Trews show on Saturday and after I talking about NFPA a little bit he said "and hopefully another album soon" as other people started talking to him.

He and Gord S jumped on stage with the Trews at the Merchant Pub in front of about 150 people and played "Trickle Down". Was awesome to see them jam to a hip song I've never seen live before!

[pars9393]

I don't think it's a surprise he is excited about the new material with the sadies and singing and acting properly. I don't know whether that will help his actions when the hip hit the stage again.

[WesleyC.]

I guess I cant blame Gord for enjoying himself with the Sadies, I guess he has no pressure to "perform" like he does with the Hip. Imagine the outrage if The Hip toured and all Gord did was stand around and sing, It would not bother me personally but im sure you would get half a crowd of 16,000 people saying "what is up with Gord? He is just standing there" So he is probably enjoying the fresh air with the Sadies.

[thechubb44]

i think the question here is not are they done but are we done? i probably am although i'd be interested in what they might put out next. The albums have been really mediocre for a long time. the live shows apparently arent very good. gord cant sing but the band itself has tons of talent. break off and find form a real rock band. not the sadies, no disrespect and not some crap solo project except for paul - he seems to know what it takes.

for me there are tons of exciting bands out there. some are really good at reinventing themselves. drive by truckers for example.theyve lost band members and have taken a real hard look at what they want. so they come out and create the best album and best rock show of their career, arguable of course.

the black crowes play the same old crap but rich robinson damn his shows are tremendous.

Pearl Jam i get bored with at times, but they put out solid records and dig deep into their body of work and play 3 hour shows.

i could go on and on with this but it wont help my point.

Hell, find new bands to appreciate outside of hip related bands and have fun,

The hip have a huge mountain to climb to satisfy this fan base and more so casual listeners. the crap they put out isnt going to grap anhyone by the balls and make their ears say what is that? thats how we all felt when up to here came out.

Go get some black joe lewis and appreciate something cool and new and always fun.



off of my soap box, sorry.but me? im done. if they are too im okay with that