Gin Blossoms are celebrating 30 Miserable Years, but it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Thirty years after the release of their “New Miserable Experience” album, they will kick off their New Miserable Experience Live: Celebrating 30 Miserable Years in February.
For the anniversary tour, the band will perform the multi-platinum album in its entirety plus extras. Home to the mega hits “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You,” the album also had success with “Allison Road,” “Until I Fall Away,” and “Lost Horizons.”
Formed in 1987, the Arizona band scored mainstream popularity with their first label release which went four times platinum. They also made music history with “Til I Hear It From You,” which was on the amazing soundtrack to “Empire Records.” There were member changes and the unfortunate death of original guitarist Doug Hopkins, but Gin Blossoms persisted.
Their follow up, “Congratulations I’m Sorry,” also went platinum and received a Grammy nom for “As Long as It Matters,” but the band broke up shortly after. Fortunately, they reformed in 2001 and have been releasing new material since 2006.
Founding members Bill Leen (bass) and Jesse Valenzuela (lead vocals, guitar) are solidified by Robin Wilson (guitar), Scott Johnson (guitar), and Scott Hessel (drums). They released “Mixed Reality” in 2018 and were planning to spend 2020 touring with Barenaked Ladies and Toad the Wet Sprocket for the Last Summer On Earth Tour. Those dates are being made up in 2022 as well.
The band is wrapping up their current jaunt and So Cal readers, you can see them next month AND next year. Gin Blossoms will be at The Coach House on December 15th and Belly Up Tavern on December 16th and 17th.
