Greetings, citizens! It’s no secret that I love The Hooters. These guys are superbly talented musicians who have consistently put out phenomenal music since they started in the ’80s. They’ve been together now 43 years and I truly think they sound better than ever! The proof is in their brand new studio album (their first since 2010) called Rocking & Swing. It’s out May 12th and will be celebrated with three sold out shows at the Ardmore Music Hall. That’s the same room that the band has a lot of history with from back in the days when it was known as the 23 East Cabaret.The record has eight new songs and a bonus track. The bonus track is the live version of the first song that legendary DJ Michael Tearson first played on MMR called “Man in the Street”. This version was recorded last November at the Keswick theater, complete with an excellent horn section!The first catchy single from this record is called “Why Won’t You Call Me Back?”. There are two instrumentals: the opening track “Guava Jive,” and later on, “Pete Rose”. There are also two songs from early records that have been “reimagined” on this production. One was originally on the Hooters’ second album, One Way Home, from 1987 called “Engine 999”. I loved it on that record and thought it could’ve been a huge hit, but I like this upbeat ska/reggae presentation even more than the original. The other redone tune was originally on the Zig Zag album from 1989. It’s called “Brother Don’t You Walk Away”.Several of us got to join the band in a big party at a local studio to listen to the new album from start to finish. All kinds of folks from the radio and the music community in Philly were there to join in the celebration. Photos from the evening are below. Thanks to Dallyn Pavey Uosikkinen for capturing these moments!
After the LP officially arrives this Friday, it’ll be a busy season for the Hooters. In June they’re off to Europe for their annual summer tour. Then they’ll be back here in August to go out for the first time since the ’90s in a tour of he United States! They will be on a big bill with Rick Springfield called “I Want my 80s”. The thing about this band, however, is that although the ska/reggae oriented sounds that they began with in the 80s are part of their sound (and they returned to those roots with this record) they have never stayed stuck in any decade. They have continued to evolve and grow through the years with phenomenal songs and, as I said in the beginning, are alive and well right now! Pre-order Rocking & Swing here – I think they sound better than ever! I hope to see you somewhere this year at a Hooters show. Cheers,Pierre Robert
Hooters Listening Party
MMR staff past and present. L-R: Brent Porche, Preston Elliot, Bill Weston, John DeBella, Pierre Robert, Matt Cord
MMR staffers with the Hooters
Rob Hyman and Preston Elliot
Erin Riley, David Uosikkinen and Dallyn Pavey Uosikkinen
'Rocking & Swing' is out this Friday!
