The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 22, 1996, Page 16, Image 16
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a month after we were done, we sat down and listened to
it again and thought that if it didn't sell any albums or a 1
ton, we would be happy."
Lead singer Darius Rucker said he wouldn't have '
bought Cracked Rear View as a fa, but that this album 1
is another story.
"If s a good record," Rucker said. "This record I would f
bury the day it came out."
Their second major label release comes out Tuesday, a
ana on the heels ol selling more than 13 million copies,
the band says they haven't set any sales goals for I
"Fairweather Johnson." \
"For us, to be good we'd have to sell 50 albums," Felber o
said sarcastically. "We don't like to sit down and think
about how big we are, how huge we are, how successful "
we are. We feel we have accomplished our goals, and soon r
as we felt that, we moved onto the next goals."
Along with success came critics who charged Hootie I
of the Blowfish with being a band of 'normal' guys who t
play fun filled pop music. Not really a harsh charge, but
definitely different from other rock band who are as popular t
as they are. I
"You can't like someone who is selling records," Rucker
said of rock critics. t
He said he doesn't take the criticism hard, he just E
comes back to USC and plays at the Horseshoe.
Their success has made an impact on pop culture, c
They are a household name, they've made David Letterman's
Top 10 list and were mentioned in an episode of Friends, fi
"It was kind of an honor to be an adjective," drummer a
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld said. "Someone said Tm not feeling
very Hootie." li
Soni said Columbia is a good place to come back to ti
because they don't get hassled here. w
"Columbia is one of the places you can exist," he said, tl
"Everyone is so used to seeing you around that they leave
you alone." ei
The band members said the biggest misconception w
about them is that they were frat boys. n
"Because we played at frat parties, somehow we got
lumped into this 'frat boy rock band," guitarist Mark st
Bryan said. "None of us were ever in a fraternity."
'Tbr us, to be gooc
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sit down and thii
big we are, how hn
suooessful we are. W
accomplished our ?
as we felt that, we i
next goaJs.
Deal
Hootie and
____________________________
Hex
With the culmination of tl
and the release of "Eairwea
high demand. lucky for ui
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how Hootie feels about th
USC Hoir
The members of Hootie and the Blowfish I
aren't worried about "Fairweather Johnson" ]
being a success; they're proud of it, and ta
them, that's all that matters.
"When we finished the album, thafs when we decided 1
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The Gamecock
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Dtie
ie MTV Unplugged concert
ther Johnson," Hootie is in
3, Jimmy DeButts was able
who made big and see just
eir new release and their
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Rucker said one member of the media correctly identified
;he band by saying "these guys play what they wanna
Dlay, they really don't care."
He said, "That's about as honest as you can get."
"It really doesn't matter what the media thinks,"
tucker said. "I believe 'Crac ked Rear View* proved that.
\s soon as it started selling, it was Let's get Hootie Day.m
After playing on David Letterman's Late Show, the
)and's fortune turned for the better.
"Letterman was where it all started," Rucker said.
Our record was out for a little while and when we got
jetterman that's when radio stations started listening."
Felber said the show gave them a national audience
or the first time.
"It took us from being a big regional act to a big national
ict," Felber said.
Hootie and the Blowfish brought in other artists to
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Vet Sprocket and Nancy Griffith have guest appearances
in "Fairweather Johnson."
"We're huge fans of Toad and Nancy," Rucker said.
If somebody stopped by the studio, there was no reason
lot to put them on the record."
Glenn Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket said he likes
lootie because they've stayed together out of love for
heir music and one another.
"There aren't a ton of real bands in the world that got
ogether without any idea other than making music,"
'hillips said. "It's a rare thing."
Lily Haydn, who played violin during the MTV
Jnplugged show, said she is happy to see Hootie and the
llowfish successful.
"It's an inspiration to see that really, really good people
an do great, and I like the songs too," she said.
Bryan said the name "Fairweather Johnson" came
om a list the band kept with possible names for the
Ibum.
"We stole the idea from R.E.M., we kept a brainstorm
st and eveiytime someone comes up with another album
tie it goes on the list," Bryan said. Tairweather Johnson
as on there and when it came time to pick it, that was
le one we all agreed on."
Bryan said songwriting is influenced by some strong
notion. Last year was big for Rucker because his daughter
as born and Bryan said instead of writing about lost
ilationships he wrote on having a daughter.
"I think Darius' emotions from being a father triggered
>me really cool songs," Bryan said.
1 we'd have to
re don't like to
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ge we are, how
<e feel we have
Joals, and soon
noved onto the L
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i FeLber,
the Blowfish bassist
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[ Monday, April 22,1996
uf^pr
A Doors <
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A ^ University
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Jn MUST PRESENT USC1
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Lucky individuals who attended the Hootie a
were able to keep the above tickets as memi
i/ouy I
Jimmy DeButts,
WML J W t
Bys
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Darius Rucker celebrates a light moment at the I
on the Horseshoe Friday afternoon. '
?
QUARTERLY
1119,1996 I
3pen at 7:30pm \/
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of South Carolina Mi
orseshoe y
5TUDENT ID FOR ADMITTANCE Ta
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and the Blowfish concert on Friday
>ries for their scrapbooks.
staff writer
bJPH
ROBERT WALTON The Gamecock
lootie and the Blowfisli press conference
iaitl?Eit
tagazine
EST IN STATE]
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Student Media