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1992 - November: Blind Melon “Blind Melon”
Their self-titled debut album and its breakthrough single “No Rain” put Blind Melon on the charts. A little alternative, a little hippie throwback, and maybe a little southern rock, Blind Melon is headed by frontman Shannon Hoon. Born in Indianapolis, Hoon was practically born a rock star, with the vocal chops and (unfortunately) the lifestyle to match. Hoon moved to Los Angeles where he formed the band with bassist Brad Smith, percussionist Glenn Graham, and guitarists Stevens Rogers (lead) and Christopher Thorn (rhythm). Some of that “southern roots” feel may come from the fact that three of the band members are from Mississippi, and that much of the work on the album took place in Durham, North Carolina.
Our research suggests the name Blind Melon may come from Mississippi stoners, or from the Cheech & Chong character “Blind Melon Chitlin.”
The success of the album led to extensive touring, and unfortunately to problems that Shannon Hoon would experience with drug and alcohol abuse. Hoon checked into rehab multiple times, but unfortunately succumbed to a drug overdose in New Orleans while touring for their second album in 1995. He was only 28.
Despite being defined as alternative rock, this first album has a 70's feel. That may be attributed to the use of antiquated amplifiers and technology, and only sparing use of overdubs. The album sound is very much representative of what you would hear in a live performance.
We hope you enjoy this dive into a band whose trajectory was cut tragically short.
I Wonder
This track starts off with a quiet acoustic beat, then moves to a classic alternative beat. The song is about addiction and trying to get over it - along the lines of feeling judged. “...now they're watching everything I do - everything I say...”
Holyman
An anti-religious song, perhaps inspired by Hoon's encounter with people encouraging him to go to church. They wanted him to find an anchor in spirituality. Hoon was very intense, and embraced the rock and roll lifestyle, a “heartbreaking cycle of drug use.”
Change
This track is considered to be the most personal look at Shannon Hoon. Written long before the formation of the band, Hoon's mother would later recall him playing this song on the porch of their house in Indiana. “Keep on dreaming, because when you stop dreaming it's time to die.”
No Rain
This is the hit that would put Blind Melon over the top, especially with the “bee video” which made them famous. The “bee girl” on the album cover was inspired by an old picture of drummer Glenn Graham's sister. The bee girl in the video was played by Heather DeLoach (picked because she looked similar to the picture of Graham's sister).
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Love Potion No. 9 by The Clovers
This romantic comedy film starred Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan. Anne Bancroft was also in this film.
STAFF PICKS:
Walking On Broken Glass by Annie Lennox
Rob's staff pick was from Lennox's solo album “Diva,” after her days with The Eurythmics. The video was a play on the film “Dangerous Liaisons,” complete with costumes - and John Malkovich! Though a pop song, there is a symphonic quality to it.
Digging In The Dirt by Peter Gabriel
Bruce brings us the lead single from Gabriel's album “Us.” It explores issues in Gabriel's life, like the end of his relationship with Rosanna Arquette, and his desire to reconnect with his daughter. The video utilized a lot of stop motion, and won the Grammy award for best short form music video in 1993.
Little Miss Can't Be Wrong by The Spin Doctors
Brian's staff pick picks up the pace. Lead singer Chris Barron actually wrote this song about his stepmother, with whom he had a bad relationship. This was the first single from their debut album “Pocket Full of Kryptonite.”
Not Sleeping Around by Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Wayne's deep track harkens back to the Manchester sound he enjoyed in the early 90's. “The Neds” used two bass players to give them that driving sound. They also impacted the apparel industry by producing over 80 t-shirt designs in 3 years! :-)
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Last Horizon by Brian May
This instrumental comes from the Queen alumnus and guitarist, Dr. Brian May (an actual PhD in astrophysics)
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
View all episodes
By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch
4.9
4747 ratings
Their self-titled debut album and its breakthrough single “No Rain” put Blind Melon on the charts. A little alternative, a little hippie throwback, and maybe a little southern rock, Blind Melon is headed by frontman Shannon Hoon. Born in Indianapolis, Hoon was practically born a rock star, with the vocal chops and (unfortunately) the lifestyle to match. Hoon moved to Los Angeles where he formed the band with bassist Brad Smith, percussionist Glenn Graham, and guitarists Stevens Rogers (lead) and Christopher Thorn (rhythm). Some of that “southern roots” feel may come from the fact that three of the band members are from Mississippi, and that much of the work on the album took place in Durham, North Carolina.
Our research suggests the name Blind Melon may come from Mississippi stoners, or from the Cheech & Chong character “Blind Melon Chitlin.”
The success of the album led to extensive touring, and unfortunately to problems that Shannon Hoon would experience with drug and alcohol abuse. Hoon checked into rehab multiple times, but unfortunately succumbed to a drug overdose in New Orleans while touring for their second album in 1995. He was only 28.
Despite being defined as alternative rock, this first album has a 70's feel. That may be attributed to the use of antiquated amplifiers and technology, and only sparing use of overdubs. The album sound is very much representative of what you would hear in a live performance.
We hope you enjoy this dive into a band whose trajectory was cut tragically short.
I Wonder
This track starts off with a quiet acoustic beat, then moves to a classic alternative beat. The song is about addiction and trying to get over it - along the lines of feeling judged. “...now they're watching everything I do - everything I say...”
Holyman
An anti-religious song, perhaps inspired by Hoon's encounter with people encouraging him to go to church. They wanted him to find an anchor in spirituality. Hoon was very intense, and embraced the rock and roll lifestyle, a “heartbreaking cycle of drug use.”
Change
This track is considered to be the most personal look at Shannon Hoon. Written long before the formation of the band, Hoon's mother would later recall him playing this song on the porch of their house in Indiana. “Keep on dreaming, because when you stop dreaming it's time to die.”
No Rain
This is the hit that would put Blind Melon over the top, especially with the “bee video” which made them famous. The “bee girl” on the album cover was inspired by an old picture of drummer Glenn Graham's sister. The bee girl in the video was played by Heather DeLoach (picked because she looked similar to the picture of Graham's sister).
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Love Potion No. 9 by The Clovers
This romantic comedy film starred Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan. Anne Bancroft was also in this film.
STAFF PICKS:
Walking On Broken Glass by Annie Lennox
Rob's staff pick was from Lennox's solo album “Diva,” after her days with The Eurythmics. The video was a play on the film “Dangerous Liaisons,” complete with costumes - and John Malkovich! Though a pop song, there is a symphonic quality to it.
Digging In The Dirt by Peter Gabriel
Bruce brings us the lead single from Gabriel's album “Us.” It explores issues in Gabriel's life, like the end of his relationship with Rosanna Arquette, and his desire to reconnect with his daughter. The video utilized a lot of stop motion, and won the Grammy award for best short form music video in 1993.
Little Miss Can't Be Wrong by The Spin Doctors
Brian's staff pick picks up the pace. Lead singer Chris Barron actually wrote this song about his stepmother, with whom he had a bad relationship. This was the first single from their debut album “Pocket Full of Kryptonite.”
Not Sleeping Around by Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Wayne's deep track harkens back to the Manchester sound he enjoyed in the early 90's. “The Neds” used two bass players to give them that driving sound. They also impacted the apparel industry by producing over 80 t-shirt designs in 3 years! :-)
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Last Horizon by Brian May
This instrumental comes from the Queen alumnus and guitarist, Dr. Brian May (an actual PhD in astrophysics)
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
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