Having met at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971, Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman soon formed the Philadelphia-based outfit Baby Grand. Alongside local singer David Kagan and producer Rick Chertoff, Baby Grand issued two albums in the late ‘70s “Baby Grand” and “Ancient Medicine” on Arista Records. Following the release of “Ancient Medicine” the group folded and The Hooters were born, coining their moniker after the nickname of the keyboard harmonica, melodica. With the addition of guitarist John Lilly, bassist Rob Miller, and drummer David Uosikkinen, the band developed a devoted local following, known for their brand of ska and folk-infused rock.
The Hooters issued their debut studio album “Amore” on the independent Antenna Records in 1983. Whilst failing to cause a stir, Hyman and Bazilian were becoming highly respected composers and session musicians, and made large contributions to Cyndi Lauper’s “She’s So Unusual” in 1983. Two years later the band made their breakthrough with their major-label debut “Nervous Night” released on Columbia Records. Aided by the singles “All You Zombies”, “And We Danced, “Day by Day”, and “Where Do the Children Go”, the record peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, later earning double-platinum certification. The album was supported by an extensive two-year period of touring after which the group returned to the studio to create something far-removed from previous releases.
1987’s follow-up “One Way Home” secured Gold certification shorlty after release and peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard 200. The record also proved popular in Switzerland where it charted No. 14, spawning the singles “Johnny B”, “Satellite”, and “Karla with a K”. The band’s last release on Columbia, “Zig Zag” arrived in 1989, after which The Hooters signed with MCA to release “Out of Body” in 1993. The following year the group issued their first live album “The Hooters Live”, recorded in Germany, and the second part of their greatest hits “Greatest Hits Vol. 2”.
A hiatus subsequently ensued with members Hyman and Bazilian working with the likes of Sophie B. Hawkins and Jon Bon Jovi, before returning in 2007 to release the full-length “Time Stand Still”. The live album “Both Sides Live” followed in 2008 on Hooters Music, following which the band issued the EP “Five By Five” in 2010.
The second The Hooters began their set was incredible and memorable. The stage, the audience and everything in sight, was completely pitch black. I could hardly see my hands when I stuck them in front of my face, it was really that dark.
All of a sudden, haunting, alien-like organ pulses bleeped in, and the crowd went absolutely wild! The bass, drums, guitar, and synthesizer slammed into the mix, and the track "All You Zombies" was in full swing. The guitar sounded beautiful, the synths sounded other worldly and spacey, but most of all, the vocals were catchy, fun, and had a lovely 80s nostalgia going on that was very fun to hear and had me dreaming about the old days, almost immediately. The next track started, and the crowd, already dancing, began cheering. Obviously familiar with the track, as soon as the guitar screeched in to open the song, the crowd began singing along with the new wave bliss.
The Hooters brought their A-game for this performance and you could really tell by the awesome lighting, jamming, and tracklist. The Hooters are a live band that anyone who has an appreciation for new wave, '80s quirk, and dance music would enjoy.
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