Cheap Trick and Gin Blossoms

Green Day, Motley Crue, Guns n’ Roses and Pearl Jam are just a few of the bands inspired by the seminal and influential band who came to be known as Cheap Trick. Back in 1961 teenage music enthusiast Rick Nelson found his passion in playing guitars and began playing locally in his hometown of Illinois, US. In 1967 he met bassist Tom Petersson and together they created the band Fuse who released their debut self-titled album in 1970 through Epic Records. When the album was virtually was ignored by audiences and the media and touring the Midwest, the band moved to Philadelphia, US with every intention of a fresh start.

What’s in a name? Clearly everything as the band took inspiration from Slade lyrics and began calling themselves Cheap Trick and were joined by Robin Zander who took on lead vocal duty in 1973. With Bun E Carlos on drums, the line-up was solidified and the band began recording demos in 1975 using any available space. Between the early formation of this band and their first release and popular hit “I Want You To Want Me” released in 1975, the band not only discovered their sound but developed and perfected their iconic live performances.

Through Epic Records, the band released their debut self-titled album in early 1977 which was highly praised by critics but lacked the financial success in America. However in the meantime, Japan began warming to the band as their fan base overseas was developing. By the time they released their second album “In Color” later that year with a more pop orientated sound, Japan had embraced them with open arms as the singles “Clock Strikes Ten” and “I Want You To Want Me” were smash hits there. With hysteria similar to Beatlesmania, the band toured relentlessly to thousands of adoring Japanese fans during 1979.

Upon their return to US soil, Cheap Trick released their fourth album “Dream Police” in late 1979 and experienced their first successes in their homeland as the album went to number six in the US album charts and went platinum. With their relentless touring schedule, the band won over audiences as they opened for legendary bands such as: Kiss, The Kinks and Santana.

With a career spanning over four decades, amassing a collection of admirable accolades and producing monumental musical masterpieces, Cheap Trick have solidified themselves as an American musical treasure who remain timeless throughout the years.

Initially formed in 1987 by bassist Bill Leen and guitarist Doug Hopkins, they struggled to find a stable lineup, finally settling on vocalist Jesse Valenzuela, Drummer Phillip Rhodes and guitarist Robin Wilson, who went on to switch roles with Valenzuela. They recorded the album "Dusted" independently, releasing it in 1989, catching the attention of A&R records, who signed the the following year.

It was their next release, 1991's "Up & Crumbling," that established Gin Blossoms as a band on the rise, breaking into the mainstream charts with their hit single, "Hey Jealousy" in 1993. The band's southwest sound was decidedly fresh against the flurry of grunge bands that were popular at the time, blending the rootsy country-blues rock of the Byrds with R.E.M's guitar hooks in the similar vein to fellow Arizona artists the Meat Puppets, The Refreshments and Dead Hot Workshop. Their third full length, "New Miserable Experience" (1992), as well as "Hey Jealousy" was full of hit singles, like "Found Out About You," with these songs dominating MTV and radio stations, going on to sell over one million copies.

However, struggling with alcoholism and depression, Doug Hopkins was fired from the band, leading to his tragic suicide on December 5th 1993, which occurred just as his songs had begun to dominate the airwaves. He was replaced by guitarist Scott Johnson, with the band recording their second album, "Congratulations… I'm Sorry" in 1996, the name being prompted by the death of Hopkins. The album charted well and featured one top ten hit, "Follow You Down," yet it received mixed reviews from the music press.

The band disbanded in 1997, embarking on various other projects, before reuniting again in 2001, initially for a one-off New Year's Eve concert. However, this was followed by a summer-long tour, finding new interest from fans and the public of their music, reissuing "Dusted" to renewed acclaim.

The band released a batch of new material in 2006, with the album "Major Lodge Victory" reestablishing them in the alternative rock scene, with the album reaching number 159 in the Billboard 200 album chart. In 2010 they released their fifth album, "No Chocolate Cake," offering a more refined album that reflected their recent dietary requirements. Through continued touring, they have maintained the band's popularity, most notably with their performances in the nationwide 'Summerland Tour' in 2012, where they played at 31 dates alongside bands including Everclear, Sugar Ray and Marcy Playground.