Song:Follow You Down
Album:Outside Looking In: The Best Of The Gin Blossoms
The Gin Blossoms were a very good alt rock band and were very successful in the mid 90s mostly on the Adult Alternative charts. Follow You Down was one of two top ten pop hits. Guitarist Doug Hopkins and bassist Bill Leen had worked together in several bands in Tempe, AZ. They formed The Gin Blossoms in 1987. The name came from a caption of a pic of WC Fields referring to his red nose. They released an album independently in 1989. After some personnel changes, the other members were lead singer Robin Wilson, guitarist Jesse Valenzuela and drummer Phillip Rhodes. They signed with A & M Records but struggled in the studio. The biggest problem was Hopkins was drinking heavily and became increasingly harder to deal with. They did release New Miserable Experience in 1992. But A & M wanted something done about Hopkins. So he was fired and replaced by Scott Johnson. As the band became more successful, Hopkins sunk into depression and committed suicide on Dec. 5, 1993 at age 32. Before they released their next album, they reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Til I Hear It From You from the Empire Records soundtrack. So when their 1995 CD Congratulations...I'm Sorry was released, the first single Follow You Down reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified Platinum. The Gin Blossoms split up in 1997. This comp is a good intro to their music. The members went their seperate ways but reformed in 2001. They are currently recording for 429 Records and their latest CD No Chocolate Cake was released in September. Here's the video for Follow You down by Gin Blossoms.
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