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Gin Blossoms is an alternative pop/rock band formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona. The band released three albums and had a couple of hits in the mid 1990s, before breaking up in 1997. Surprisingly, the band reunited in 2002, touring, releasing a DVD, and promising a fourth album.
Members during the band's early years included guitarist and songwriter Doug Hopkins, bassist Bill Leen, vocalist Jesse Valenzuela, guitarist Richard Taylor, drummer Chris McCann, McCann's replacement Dan Henzerling, and Taylor's replacement Robin Wilson.
By the early 1990s, the lineup had changed to Leen on bass, Hopkins on guitar, Valenzuela on guitar, Wilson on vocals, and Phillip Rhodes on drums. During work on the group's second album, Hopkins was fired and replaced with Scott Johnson, but Hopkins' songs "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You" went on to become hit singles.
The Blossoms broke up in the spring of 1997, and all of the band members moved on to do their own things. Vocalist Robin Wilson and drummer Phillip Rhodes launched the Gas Giants. Bassist Bill Leen retired from music to run a rare books store. Guitarist Jesse Valenzuela fronted a short-lived outfit called the Low Watts, released a solo album, and kept busy writing and producing. Robin ventured into producing as well, at his own Mayberry Studios in Tempe.
But the Gas Giants announced an "indefinite hiatus" in June 2001. On Dec. 4, 2001, it was announced that Scott had decided to leave his current band, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, to rejoin the Gin Blossoms. The band regrouped and began playing together again in earnest (having done a couple of one-off shows in the interim) in 2002.
The only Blossom not involved in the reunion is drummer Phillip Rhodes, who, for personal reasons, decided not to head out on the road with the band. Phil Leavitt of Dada originally took Phillips place in the lineup, and then Gary Smith (of The Pistoleros, another Tempe band) stepped in. Scott Kusmirek took over drumming for the band, and went on tour with the band in their 2002 - 2004 tours. "The Kooz" endeared himself to Gin Blossoms fans with his enthusiastic, bombastic drumming as well as his attention to fan requests for autographs and pictures after each show (all of the Gin Blossoms are known for their personal, warm, and earnest interactions with fans after their shows).
In January of 2005, it was announced that Phil Rhodes, one of the greatest drummers in rock history, rejoined the band. The Kooz may have a career on television as well, as he appeard on "High School Reunion" on The WB (Warner-Brothers) network. Phil is expected to help the band finish up their latest album/CD, which is being created at Robin Wilson's studio Mayberry Studios in Tempe, Arizona USA. The band continues to tour in 2005.
Discography
Full-Lengths:
EPs:
Compilations:
DVDs:
Gin blossoms are also broken blood vessels in the nose, often found in alcoholics. W.C. Fields is a well known case of this.
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