Just a quick tie-in post for my other blog...
Hot Water Music is both a hardcore band from Gainesville, Florida, and a book of short stories by Chuck Bukowski.
It's mostly coincidental, really. One of the band members happened to be reading the book at the time they were looking for a name, and HWM just sounded right. There's no other especial similarity, other than that both Bukowski and Chuck Ragan have beards, I guess. And that they both make fucking beautiful poetry.
Hot Water Music is such a big part of my musical world that, for the moment, I won't even try to describe them. Well... if you just want to know who they sound like, I'd say a more rockin' Fugazi, or if you want to be a bit more specific, Mike Kirsch's Fuel or even the great Leatherface. But if you want to know what they sound like, you've gotta just listen to them. For long periods. And turn it up loud.
This is Fuel For The Hate Game, their second album, released on No Idea Records in 1997. All HWM albums are good, but this is one of the absolutely great ones:
WHERE DO YOU LINK IT?!
HOW DO YOU LINK IT?!
8 comments:
Yeah, I was disappointed in them too. Even though I really wanted to, I couldn't really like them that much. At the same time, you have to respect them for moving on and doing what they wanted to do. I mean, you can the transition of their sound right through A Flight and a Crash to The New What Next, towards a more rock sound and away from punk/hardcore.
I saw them live earlier this year, with the Bouncing Souls. Obviously, the Souls blew them out of the water, but they were very enjoyable live. Chris Wollard was ridiculously drunk most of the show... it's rock'n'roll, basically!
HWM was a great band. And this is one of their better albums. I, too was sadly disappointed by the draft.
Hey, mattack. Seems quite a few people were disappointed by the Draft... too many people!
I probably would have to describe my attitude as more ambivalent than disappointed, to be honest. If/when a new Draft album comes out, I reckon I'll buy it. If even just cos I'm a bit of HWM completist.
The thing is, I really like some Draft songs, but In a Million Pieces doesn't quite hold my attention. The first bunch of demo songs they put up on their Myspace, I think are quite good, or at least show promise. (I might actually post them up... there's at least one good one which didn't make the album). The basic thing is, the Draft is a deliberate attempt to create a new sound, and we have to wait and see.
yes hot water music definitely has been one of the most influential bands in my life. when i lived in gainesville i basically had no friends and then met chuck who was telling me he was trying to start a band with some people he knew form back home....ending up becoming friends with all the dudes since they lived in the apartment complex next to mine...partying all the time, going to their practices, following them around to shows in fla. and videotaping. years later, when i see them i get introduced as their drug dealer...which is funny....i think...i just bought the drugs for everyone...
they were/are and amazing band...
definitely lost their edgy sound after a flight and a crash, but the magic is still hiding in there...
wow, ddn that really makes me envious (except for possibly the drug dealer part!)
myself, I got into HWM from A Flight and a Crash, and it's still by far my favourite album... possibly of any band. The best thing about HWM is the sheer difference of each album, and I suppose it's the first one you hear, and suddenly comprehend, that sticks with you... I'm shying away from doing too many posts on HWM, 'cos words seriously fail me on this band.
Just in case you're curious, it was yr painting 'The wind carried him in his belly' which brought the sinc comparison to my mind...
i think you guys are being a little harsh on The Draft. Different from Hot Water? Yes. Is it Hot Water? No. Quit comparing the two and let it stand on its own as The Draft and not Hot Water Music w/o Chuck Ragan and its an excellent album. Besides, The Draft's album is better than The New What's Next. New Years Eve..Atlanta GA, Hot Water Music and Tim motherfucking Barry...Best Year Ever!
quit comparing The Draft and HWM... but their album is better than HWM's last album?
not to my mind. TNWN was a great album, and I'd like to hear a follow-up to it.
First off this is a shameless attempt to promote my bands free digital download: http://thatslife.bandcamp.com/
That being said! I was fortunate enough to open up for The Draft in Phoenix and later HWM during the reunion tour. I think the main issue was the level of fun the band had as HWM. The Draft was not bad but they came off as tired and road warn. More interested in sudoku than talking to anyone. Still super nice guys....but something was missing.
We lucked out and got on the HWM reunion show and they just killed it. Chris was having a lot of fun. After the set I ran backstage to say good show and got the best hug of all time. They remain one of my favorite bands. Cheers,
-Chase
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