[megamanX51]

From <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thehip.com">www.thehip.com</a><!-- w -->
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD - Vol. #1
Hi Fans;
Here's the first installment of our "Thoughts From The Road" feature, which will include musings from various band members while on tour. Check back often! Vol. #1 is courtesy of Gord Sinclair:

We've just finished the first week of our American tour and so far, so very good. We had a glimpse earlier in the summer of how well IBE was going to translate to the stage. The few shows we played in Canada were invigorating. We found a deep groove quickly that spread from the new material to the old.
It was tough waiting out August for the fall tour to begin. Where better to kick it off than Detroit Rock City? The beautiful Fox Theatre. A great stage, friendly crowd and our fantastic crew made the return very easy.
Hats off to Dean Roney, who was able to step in for our long serving sound man Mark Vreeken at the last minute. Mark's at home in Toronto recovering from an unfortunate accident, still steering the ship but by remote control this time. Get well and back soon!
We've been focusing on the new songs from IBE with each set. Each one takes on a life of it's own on stage, and that energy is infectious. Older songs spring to life and we've been inspired over the last week to dig a little deeper into the catalogue to pluck out a few gems for you. The mix of old and new material we're performing nightly has been working great. It's fun for us mixing things up, seeing what works from song to song. I love a set that flows, like a good record, with twists and turns, some comfortable islands of famliarity and the occasional surprise thrown in.
It's been great seeing a lot of old friends and familiar faces in the crowds so far, thanks for remembering and for your continued support. The North East has always been special for us. Hockey towns and music fans, funky old theatres and sweaty clubs. New York and DC stand out as special nights so far, but that's splitting hairs. Each show has taken on a life of its own.
We've just made the long right turn and are now heading south before continuing on to the west coast, dodging hurricane Jeanne along the way. Check out the dates on this site and come and see us sometime. We're ready for you! R U?

-Gord Sinclair

[kari]

From <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thehip.com">www.thehip.com</a><!-- w -->
New York and DC stand out as special nights so far...-Gord Sinclair

The DC show was great...but cut short...I think they must have thought it was memorable because of meeting DJ Krush! Gord S did try to talk me into going inside to catch him play...

[chris]

It's not "Tales From The Hip" but this'll do!

[grooveless touque]

Yeah it's nice to see a little personal perspective...here's hoping they keep it up!

[direwolf74]

It's not "Tales From The Hip" but this'll do!

Ah yes, Tales From the Hip. I used to love getting those in the mail. I really dig all that fanclub stuff. I'd love to see the Hip do something like Pearl Jam's Ten Club, where twice a year you get a cool newsletter and an unreleased single. PJ puts most of their fanclub singles on vinyl, which is extremely cool. Not sure if the Hip would ever do something like that, but it's fun to dream.

[stuckatcuse]

I read this and thought they were responding to:
-the fact that the newer songs seem less animated
-the general consensus that the set lists should be more varied
-the rather low attendance of concerts

It seemed more like a cry for help or "now we'll do what you want, so please come see us" than a simple "update" to me.

Either way, I can't wait to see them at Northern Lights... I hope they pull some old ones out there. Should be a good time.

[boot]

I think that's a pretty cynical view.... The 'redesign' of thehip.com prompted comments a few months ago about how it appeared they were setting it up as some sort of blog.... and now they seem to be making use of it... so I'd doubt that it's some sort of knee-jerk reaction.

I think any of the concern about varied setlists has died away... from what i've seen so far, there's been a decent mix of the new songs, the hits, some older gems, and geez... even an unreleased song or two. Not too much to complain about from my point of view...

[sherpahigh]

It's not "Tales From The Hip" but this'll do!

For sure!! Love the tales from the hip... but in it's absence this will do just fine.

I think that's a pretty cynical view.... The 'redesign' of thehip.com prompted comments a few months ago about how it appeared they were setting it up as some sort of blog.... and now they seem to be making use of it... so I'd doubt that it's some sort of knee-jerk reaction.

sts has died away... from what i've seen so far, there's been a decent mix of the new songs, the hitsI think any of the concern about varied setli, some older gems, and geez... even an unreleased song or two. Not too much to complain about from my point of view...

agreed with all of that. :thumb: