Video: The Mother Hips "Third Floor Story"

The Mother Hips have a way of making sorrow turn to triumph in a manner that's not exhilarating so much as it's satisfying. A long time ago (the early '90s, to be exact), the Mother Hips had about as much chance as any other band to be the next big thing in a music landscape booming with "grunge" and "alternative" bands. It never happened. Despite tuneful songs, major label signings, and plenty of talent, the Mother Hips never quite caught on. They released a few albums, garnered a modest following that mostly stayed in their home state of...

• The Mother Hips - White Falcon Fuzz

The Mother Hips have been one of the most underrated bands for years. After a brief stint on Rick Rubin's label, American Recordings, the Bay Area quartet has had a consistent output of California soul. Newcomers like The Donkeys seem to have been influenced by them. A few years ago, I had a conversation wondering how a label or PR person was never able to get these guys consistent airplay on a station like XRT here in Chicago who has a pretty eclectic playlist as far as terrestrial stations go. The second tune, a rocker titled "Third [...]

• The Mother Hips - White Falcon Fuzz