Gin Blossoms

Gin Blossoms Artistfacts

  • 1987-1997
    Douglas HopkinsGuitar1987-1992
    Bill LeenBass1987-1997
    Jesse ValenzuelaGuitar, vocals1987-1997
    Phillip RhodesDrums1988-1997
    Robin WilsonVocals1988-1997
    Scott JohnsonGuitar1992-1997
  • Frontman Robin Wilson grew up loving Kiss - he even had their lunch box. So he thought it would be great to offer a Gin Blossoms lunch box to fan club members. And they did.
  • They played their first concert on Christmas Day 1987 in Tempe, Arizona. They made it a tradition to play a show there every Christmas.
  • When their 1992 album, New Miserable Experience, hit Platinum, they were presented with the platinum album at a Phoenix Suns home basketball game.
  • Doug Hopkins had battled with alcoholism and depression for years. Things went from bad to worse and he was fired from the band after the recording of New Miserable Experience. He tried forming another band, the Chimeras, but committed suicide in December 1993.
  • Previous band names include The Moral Majority, the Psalms, Algebra Ranch, and Ten O'Clock Scholars.
  • The Psalms' claim to fame was opening for Billy Idol in 1983 when R.E.M. couldn't make it.
  • Wilson had performed with local Tempe bands, Guy Smiley and Bed Spurs.
  • The group played a lot of gigs as the Del Montes. This was a Traveling Wilbury-esque fake group. Supposedly they all had the same mother, but different fathers. They invented this pseudonym to play gigs with Richard Taylor who had been a member of the group, but he was on probation. Playing under this name made it less likely the cops would see him breaking probation.
  • In 1989, they were named the best unsigned band in the United States by College Music Journal.

Comments: 1

  • Andy from Arlington, VaAn underrated band. New Miserable Experience is one of my favorite albums.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.