The Hippos
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| The Hippos | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southern California |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1996-2003 |
| Genres | Ska, Punk rock |
| Labels | Vagrant Records Fueled By Ramen Interscope Records Olympic Records |
| Past members | James Bairian Kyle Briggs Louis Castle Ariel Rechtshaid Danny Rukasin Rich Zahniser Roman Flyscher Brandon Bairian Nate Morton Blair Sinta Garrett Ray |
The Hippos was a third wave ska-punk band from Southern California. Unlike other typical bands of the genre, The Hippos employed heavy use of a Moog synthesizer, which was seen by many as a re-revolutionization of the instrument in the current trend in pop-punk and emo.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Hippos's first full album release was Forget the World, released in 1998. Interestingly, many of the songs on Forget The World were written when Ariel Rechstaid, the band's primary songwriter, was only 15 years old. This album employed traditional ska-punk songwriting, including upbeat tempos and heavy brass instrumentation. Additionally, various percussion instruments were used, such as bongos and wood blocks. The next album was Heads Are Gonna Roll, released in 1999. A transitional album, a balance of horns and synthesizers is found on this album. Commercially, this album was the band's most successful; it is the only album to be fully produced by a large record label and thus is assumedly the most circulated and heard of the three albums.
The Hippos, a self titled final release, was released in 2003 after the band's break-up. This album completed the gradual transition from traditional ska-punk to the unique, original synthpop sound exhibited here. Ties to the ska-punk scene from which they began had been all but completely severed.. Much of the Hippos's fanbase was initially reluctant at such a different sound, but for the most part, this reluctance gave way to admiration. To some fans, the Hippos's final album was their best written and most enjoyable, despite its limited commercial success.
[edit] Recently
The members have currently moved on to other avenues, but all of which are musically oriented. In the summer of 2002, 2 of the original members, Louis Castle, and James Bairian, teamed up to form the band Dirty Little Secret, a garage rock-post punk band. In 2003, former Hippos frontman, Ariel Rechtshaid joined Dirty Little Secret to take over lead guitar duties as well as contributing to production on the bands first release. In 2004, Rechstaid, split off from Dirty Little Secret to form the band Foreign Born, where he's also deferred his front man history to play Bass and sing the occasional back-up vocal in their Joy Division-esque post punk outfit. Both bands have developed a pretty impressive following in Southern California and other regions in the US.
There is much speculation on the reason Rechstaid made the decision to break off and spawn another band, but what is known is Rechstaid, Castle, and Bairian continue to be good friends and work together on various projects. While Rechstaid has built an extensive resume of producing commercial recordings such as up-and-coming bands Taking Back Sunday and the latest We Are Scientists debut album, Bairian and Castle have paired up to produce a fair share of recordings as well. They've recorded the popular duo Giant Drag's debut album released in 2005 on Interscope Records along with the young pop rock band Nathaniel's Endeavors' debut album.
Oddly enough, Nathaniel's Endavors, is managed by another former Hippos member, Danny Rukasin. Since the band's break up, he's taken a non-performing role in music, working in management on his way to a career in the music industry.
Post Hippos days for the other member, Rich Zahnhiser, also landed him in his own musical group, Southbase, a pop punk band based in Upland, which recorded their own set of demos and have played shows all over Southern California.
The spirit of one of the third wave's greatest ska superheroes lives on through their influence in several bands, notably The Know How, Six Foot Smurf among others.
[edit] Members, by Album
[edit] Forget the World (1996)
- James Bairian (Bass)
- Kyle Briggs (Drums)
- Louis Castle (Trumpet, Vocals)
- Ariel Rechtshaid (Vocals, Guitar)
- Danny Rukasin (Trombone)
- Rich Zahniser (Trombone, Vocals)
- Roman Flyscher (Saxophone)
- Brandon Bairian (Other Percussion)
[edit] Heads Are Gonna Roll (1999)
- James Bairian (Bass)
- Kyle Briggs (Drums, Percussion)
- Louis Castle (Backing Vocals, Trumpet)
- Danny Rukasin (Trombone)
- Ariel Rechtshaid (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer)
- Rich Zanhiser (Trombone, Synthesizer)
[edit] The Hippos (2003)
- James Bairian (Vocals, Bass)
- Louis Castle (Vocals, Trumpets, Synthesizer)
- Nate Morton (Drums, Other Percussion)
- Garrett Ray (Drums)
- Ariel Rechtshaid (Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer, Other Percussion)
- Danny Rukasin (Trombone)
- Blair Sinta (Drums, Other Percussion)
- Rich Zahniser (Trombone, Synthesizer)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Album releases
- Attack of the Killer Cheese Demo Tape (Self Released, 1995)
- Forget The World (Vagrant Records/Fueled By Ramen, 1996) - published by Mullet Cut Music (ASCAP)
- Heads Are Gonna Roll (Interscope Records, 1999) - published by Mullet Cut Music (ASCAP) except "Always Something There To Remind Me" - published by Casa David and New Hidden Valley Music Company/Warne Chappell (ASCAP)
- The Hippos (Olympic Records, 2003) - published by Fanscape Music
[edit] Single/EP releases
- Wasting My Life (Zomba Records, November 21, 2000) - CD Single
[edit] Compilations
- Before You Were Punk 2 - "Our Lips Are Sealed"
- Take Warning - "Freeze Up"
- Misfits Of Ska 2 - "Rock and Roll"
- California Ska Quake 2 - "So What?"
- Five Years On The Streets - "Far behind", "Lost It (live)"
- Snow Day Soundtrack - "Wasting My Life"
- Hey Brother... Can You Spare Some Ska - "When Will I Learn"
- Mailorder is Fun! - "Please"
- Christmas Gone Wrong - "Mullets Across America" (w/ Cousin Oliver), "Dreidle Dreidle"
- The Radiolistener Remixes - "Asleep at the Wheel" (Boom Shaka Remix)
- Ska Sucks - "Asleep at the Wheel"
- Punker Than Your Mom - "Please"
- the Year of the Rat - "Diane"
- Where's the Beef?- "Far Behind"
- SRH Presents: Lose Your Illusion
- This Aren't Two Tone - "Don't Worry"
- Ska Chartbusters - "So Lonely"
