Monday, March 26, 2018

Today's Blind Items - One Mad, Sad Moment Forever - A Himmmm Blind Item - Part One

(NOTE: This is a very long blind item story, as long as the Elvis Pallbearers item.  Feel free to bookmark it, save it, or read at your own pace - or skip it if you're not into TL/DR – you were warned.  There's a video on Youtube you can watch after reading this, as we're sure you'll figure it out.  We'll be posting links on our Twitter page later to some videos, not to reveal but just to share as a reward to those who read it all.  There are two people telling the story of this night: Me, your trusty Himmmm 1 scribe here; and my cohort Himmmm #3 (or H3).  He's a world-class musical talent, and one of the most underrated drummers in rock history.  Best of all, he's just a regular nice guy; great family man; and a severe chainsaw samurai.  The memory of this event comes from both of us, blended into one narrative for your enjoyment.  As in the past - I'm sorry if it's a departure from the blinds of scandal, evil abusers, or cheating/drugs/whatever.  Although it does have celebs in it, this is not some major mystery to unravel.  It's just about sharing a story that is very special and crazy.  Real life usually is.  So, for you - our friends here at Crazy Days and Nights – we share a memory of a crazy night.)

Sometimes we don't know the biggest, most epic moment of our lives until they've passed.  Sure we have those big moments like the birth of a child, a wedding day, a graduation, or a big day at work.  But sometimes what we think is going to be an amazing day turns out to surpass even our wildest dreams.  Something so massive; so tremendously large that we can barely comprehend it 27 years later.

This is the story…and I smile whenever I remember it.  Thankfully due to video and audio, I'm grateful I can still relive it.  This story is about one of those moments that make you glad you lived and carry it with you. It's about the glory, excess, and perfection of this (foreign rock band) at the top of their peak fame, when all the world is theirs.  When all the madness, sadness, and gladness are part of life.  It's not meant to be a big mystery – and you'll likely figure out the band right off the line here.  But it's a moment worthy of sharing.  Best of all it all really happened and I was there - with a few souvenirs too that remind me of it all.

We will set the time travel DeLorean back to 1991, and the pre-internet, no mobile phone days when MTV played videos.  George Bush (the first) was President; the Soviet Union had just collapsed; the cola wars were over – and the world seemed optimistic for once.  People wanted to party, to enjoy freedom around the globe, and it was an amazing time for music, movies, pop culture, and hair gel.  It was a sweet spot there for a few years between hair rock and grunge; between hip-hop and gangster rap; and between Debbie Gibson and Alanis Morissette.  People wanted to have fun with no worries – and there was one band in particular that took them there.

I first met these members of this band at a Queen concert in a foreign country when I was a kid - barely a teenager.   Outside of their native land few were keyed in to this new band.  I met this young band of brothers, and they went out of their way to be super nice to me.  It was our closeness in age – even though they were all older than me – and a love of music that kept us together as we became friends over the years.
 
Wasn't long after we'd met that they signed to a record label with which my family was involved.  Out of the blue, the band had a pretty big hit album, and suddenly were very popular with teens/college crowds and females of every age.  There was another company that my family was involved with in the early 80's and 90's, that produced music videos and movies - including producing videos for this new band.  So whenever I could I would catch up with them while they were making their videos, and we'd always have a blast.  Being a teenager and being friends with those guys didn't damage my dating prospects either.  Somehow I felt my dates weren't just interested in only me.
 
The band had put their soul into their new unreleased album, and I thought it was staggeringly perfect.  Unfortunately, my family company and the executives didn't agree.  Popular myth holds it that the record label so hated the new album, that when it was turned in for approval the manager of the band was offered $1 million for the label to trash it and go re-record a new album.  The band's manager tried to get the marketing execs behind him, but in private they were nervous.  The band persisted, released it anyway, and underground college radio spun it until it broke through the mainstream.  That's sort of true.  The reality was that after turning down the $1 million offer, the label executive left a copy of the album with his boss.  Who chucked it upstairs to his boss.  From there it wound up in my teenage hands.  I knew it would be a hit.
 
After hearing about the manager's battle, I got in touch with the head of college radio marketing.  He was under siege by the manager too.  I told him that I could get the CEO of the parent corporation to approve it if he'd agree to the manager's plan.   I badgered the utter hell out of my family and everyone until they started taking a listen.  I literally stood on my Dad's desk and threw a total teenage tantrum until he agreed to listen to it and my arguments for it.  My brattiness paid off, and he caved in to this kid and my love for this band.  The label agreed to release it, and the college radio marketing team took off with it.  Seeing the sales rise, the label was very happy.  When the singer's personal manager found out – she was an angel - I got the nicest call from the singer thanking me for helping.  He called me "little brotha" (in reference to the brothers in the band), and told me we'd get together soon. Five million copies of that one album sold since then proved my bratty teenage tantrum was correct.

92 comments:

Brayson87 said...

Wonder of wonders, I thought the himmmm's were in hiding.

sandybrook said...

Sounds like the Gallaghers and Oasis.

sandybrook said...

In any case the himmmms owe us 2 parts of a 4 part novel they were all working on and about 3 weeks ago there was the long bi that was supposed to be continued and never was Entys.

#TEAMGEELJIRE CLASSIC said...

Even worse, they have a Twitter account and announced this was coming!

totaji said...

Seattle - Nevermind?

Bish said...

The band is Madness

Dena said...

My preliminary guess is INXS.

J said...

Drummer's probably not Hunt Sales... but I'll bet he has some stories.

Alexandria said...

"World class musical talent and one of the most underrated drummers in rock history"...?

Do I know Youu..? Probably I do, or saw somewhere, but of course I'm not too bright and can't figure this outtttt...

Chase said...

I'm going with Red Hot Chili Peppers- Blood Sugar Sex Magic.
Huge in 1991 and was pushed by indy radio airplay and MTV.
But the brothers angle has me stumped.

#TEAMGEELJIRE CLASSIC said...

Provisional +1 on Definitely Maybe

Peerless Phil said...

I am going to say the Stone Roses. Their first album is considered by many critics to be one of the Best Debut Albums ever released by a British Band. As a side note, the Gallagher Brothers got their start as Roadies for Stone Roses.

Sara, Making It Work said...

Oasis' first album came out in 1994, Radiohead in 1993.
This is supposed to be 90-91 (possibly earlier since we haven't gotten to the big story yet) so neither of those work.

I can't think of any other foreign bands with brothers....

Brayson87 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
#TEAMGEELJIRE CLASSIC said...

What if it's "brothers" in that "urban" sense

AvignonVagabond said...

Teenage Fanclub

VirgilHilts said...

The Black Crowes. 2 brothers in the band, first album came out in 1990 though not '91.

totaji said...

I was thinking this was it too. Brothers can mean close young men. I had trouble picturing chad smith as Hmmm3 and one of the best drummers.

Sal Salington said...

This wasn't particularly long. Did it get cut off?

Sal Salington said...

Oh.

Part one.

Sara, Making It Work said...

Actually Radiohead was signed in 91, so I'm going back to them.
Phil Selway is an immensely talented drummer.

Brayson87 said...

'Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood (bass), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals) and Philip Selway (drums, percussion). They have worked with producer Nigel Godrich and cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994.

After signing to EMI in 1991, Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992."

filmfanb said...

Sara I am trying to make them work but time lines are all wrong. 1991 is tripping me out. They signed with EMI 1991 but only changed their name that year from On A Friday. They didnt release Creep until 1992 and Pablo Honey in 1993. Greenwood brothers are in the band. Im a pretty hardcore Radiohead fan so will get a better idea next blind. Plus the line "she was an angel" felt like a hint to creep.

Ice Angel said...

Chemical Brothers? They don't really have a drummer though do they?

#TEAMGEELJIRE CLASSIC said...

I think Brayson and Filmfan got it

pkelly491 said...

I wanted it to be Crowded House, but they were probably too early (first album in'86).

I would lean towards Radiohead.

pricksongs said...

also worth noting that Radiohead does indeed have brothers- Colin Greenwood (the bassist) and Jonny Greenwood (multi-instrumentalist)

Dena said...
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Sal Salington said...

This seems to indicate the band had albums and videos prior to the 1991 breakout album.

urban chaos said...

Exactly! My first thought was if the Hmmms were trolling and this was Hanson or some such trash I’d unfollow them on twitter..Then I actually went back and reread the timing, realized these guys are just a smidge older than (or my age) and of course! Oasis!!
Hey @hmmmm does this mean you boys have any pull to help bring them together for one last show? Toronto would love it

Unknown said...

The Allman Brothers!Saw them 4x in the mid 90's-Love Oasis too

Nubian princess said...

Foreign band, with brothers. All I got is Oasis.

mercat said...

+1 INXS

From Wikipedia: "They recorded Kick in Sydney and Paris, and it was produced by Chris Thomas. Atlantic Records was not happy with the result; the label offered the band $1 million to go back to Australia and record another album, but the band declined."

Richard Lowenstein directed the videos.

Mrs. EM said...

STP? DeLeo brothers?

urban chaos said...

Awww and now I see Oasis has been ruled out ..

Rosie riveter said...

I cannot believe my good fortune in sitting down at my desk on a Monday morning and finding this to read- these years were the beginning of my adult life and the way you himmmms describe it takes me back!
SO happy this will be broken up- so I can read it as they come in, also to be able to clear my schedule today but look busy when my supervisor walks by.
WEST COAST(Seattle!)IN DA HOUSE!!

let's do this boys❤

AvignonVagabond said...
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Alexandria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nubian princess said...

Radiohear is s good guess. Not a fan, so I don't have much info, the timing is a bit off, but possible.

Iron Lung said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Love all your stories!Master of coolness that is you Hmmmm🤘🏼

Sue V said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sara, Making It Work said...

Ok.... I can get behind INXS. Because I'm not sure when this point in the story is taking place. I was ready for the full blind, guys! There's not enough to go by here.

Oh, and their drummer was a walking gif, before there were gifs.

And women of every age were into them, tjat's a big clue. Shucks, I was only 10 when Kick came out and Michael Hutchence was my first bona fide grown-up celebrity crush. Sex on wheels, that man.

TerriB said...

I'm going with Stone Temple Pilots

Brayson87 said...

INXS on part 2

StewMcG said...

It has to be INXS. Everything fits with this article: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/when-inxs-rocked-wembley-stadium/

Nubian princess said...

"Kick" was 87. And it was EVERYTHING in my junior high.

Honey West said...

Where’s the Elvis pallbearer story??

Miss Jammy said...

Jackyl

BunnyTwoShoes said...

Martha Troup was Michael Hutchence personal manager.

ancoranonhocapito said...

I'm sure it's wrong, but I can only think of the Pogues, Waiting for Herb

bollybiy said...

If Himmmm(s) first met the band at a Queen show, that meeting could not have taken place later than 1986, the last time Queen toured before Freddie Mercury fell ill.

Makeupbylizz said...

And they were orginally called The Farriss Brothers.

Don Kieballs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Guesser said...

@bollybiy, he did say he met them as a teen,so that would fit.At least one Hmmmm is from a showbiz family. INXS is the band,not a lot of red herrings,except maybe about the Himmmms.

sjgmoney said...

The Allan Bros? Are you high?

radiogirlnyc said...

I like INXS or U2

Jeff Weimer said...

The USSR collapsed on Dec 26, 1991; so very late 91 or early 1992 fits with pushing the Radiohead album.

T. W. said...

Kick was INXS' 6th studio album. Released in 1987.

hothotheat said...

Been around since early 80's.

Unknown said...

fuck it, i'm gonna say the smashing pumpkins

T. W. said...

The band is INXS. The Queen concert is the Wembley Stadium concert.

Skip to Part 2's comments to see how the clues were put together.

Anonymous said...

Makes me think of U2 Joshua Tree or INXS Kick

Colonel Blake said...

I think Smashing Pumpkins would be too late....but close!

Nubian princess said...

Guys...go on Twitter. It's INXS, Himmmm is posting links to the concert.

Colonel Blake said...

GARBAGE!!!

Brayson87 said...

Shirley Manson stole my heart.

Jax129 said...

INXS was the BEST!! Michael died on my birthday, so sad. One of the best concerts I saw with them was in 94 when they were playing small theatres & I saw them standing room only in downtown Detroit.

Dusty Fairy said...

Daft, TFC were never that big... and signed to indie label Matador before DGC.

Dusty Fairy said...

Not “daft”! I wrote “sadly”. Damn autocorrect

Michel Scully said...

Radiohead with Kid A, brothers Johnny and Coilin Greenwood. That's my guess.

traycmg said...

I think we're all certain that this is about INXS but I'm now also certain that H3 is Jon Farriss >>> https://twitter.com/JonFarriss/status/962934572156514304

I found a love that was lost... said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Himmmmm for this story. I play their music weekly if not daily. I still remember this group, especially the singer as if it were yesterday. Their music from the early 80’s was my favorite.

Itttt said...

Definitely absolutely positively INXS as others have noted. INXS videos are ICONIC, and in fact they were very much on the bleeding cutting edge of technology...I recall they even have some interesting interactive music video game(s) on one or more of the early CD game systems (Sega CD, 3DO, etc.).

INXS was and forever will be THE SHIT. A+++++

Ann said...

Jesus HMMM, there was enough in that blind to out your identity. Be careful how much propaganda you spill ;).

Itttt said...

Make My Video: INXS (there were at least a couple of others - Marky Mark and the Funk Bunch and Kriss Kross!)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/INXS_Make_My_Video_Cover.jpg

Who can forget MYSTERY DATE with gorgeous big frizzy haired Teri Polo and young Ethan Hawke, and that amazing, INXS loaded soundtrack

Songs from Mystery Date

Happy Birthday to You
Crazy
Funky Cold Medina
Tone Loc
SUICIDE BLONDE
INXS
634-5789
Wilson Pickett
Mussette's Waltz
Francoise Louvay Pro Musica Symphony Orchestra
Remember My Name
Toy Matinee
Disappear
INXS
Kitem Fe Safem
Tabou Combo
Zap, Zap
Tabou Combo
Rockhead
Tar Babies
The Horror of YG
Gwar
String Quartet in B Major Opus 10, No. 4 KV458 'Hunting Quartet'
the Mozarteum Quartett, Salzburg
Tunic (Song For Karen)
On My Way
INXS
Lily Was Here
David A. Stewart introducing Candy Dulfer

Krusty Demon said...
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Sekrit said...

God my little Australian heart hopes this is INXS, it was the first band that popped into my head, solidified with the compliments about how nice they are and Michael's soft voice saying 'brotha'

BeckyMae said...

Mine too but the timing might be a bit off??

Bumtitty said...

This Is A Fantastic Story about a great band, a music legend, a beautiful pop star and a Princess...
Don't let the eight parts put you off, it's really great.

jessorella said...

@bollybiy Unless he’s referring to the Freddie Mercury tribute concert, where all three remaining members played multiple songs with huge stars. It was a massive deal and hordes of famous people were there.

jessorella said...

I’ve only read this part so far, but I want to say PLEASE, @Himmmms, NEVER apologise for giving us a blind/story that doesn’t involve murder, abuse, paedophilia or all the other rank dregs of “humanity” we read about here! These items of yours are like the precious pieces of super-warm honey sunshine that break through dark clouds!

Jennacheryl said...

Could it possibly be a tribe called quest or pulp?

james2051 said...

Crowded House peaked around then (late '80s to early '90s). Finn brothers involved. Problem is, the drummer died years ago now.

Scandi Sanskrit said...

Oh nooooooes. If one of the Himmmms knows oasis I better stop trash-talking Man City on hereeeee. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

fML and this site

Scandi Sanskrit said...

I think Himmmm wrote a really beautiful piece about her when she passed. So maybe?

Scandi Sanskrit said...

💛

Melissa Lyn said...

Mad sad moment is part is the lyrics to the song New Sensation by INXS. This is about INXS.

FormerAthlete said...

Frequent Lurker. Post once in a while.
Here are my stabs...


Radiohead: Released 1993 in US/UK, Pablo Honey sold 1.7M
(Though, Phil Selway is a GOD on drums)

Clue Matches:
Brothers
British Band
Incredible Drummer

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickdesantis/2016/05/10/radioheads-digital-album-sales-visualized/#4404b9e13a87

___________________________


Oasis: Definitely Maybe was recorded at the end of 1993. Sold 8M.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitely_Maybe

Clue Matches:
Brothers
British Band

___________________________



Stone Roses: First album released in April 1989. HUGE in UK
Stuck in lawsuits with label...until 1991 when they signed with Geffen Records.

Didn't release follow-up album, Second Coming, until December 1994.
Drummer, Reni, "is considered by many industry insiders to be the best drummer of his generation and one renowned for his virtuoso abilities."

TOTAL ALBUM SALES: 5M

Clue Matches:
British Band
Date (kinda) matches up.
Album sales match up.
Drummer matches up.

Not related/no brothers that I can find.
Did I miss something?
Brothers as a euphemism?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roses
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roses_discography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reni_(musician)

___________________________


INXS

You people are sooooo young. Seriously.
INXS has been pumping out multi-platinum albums since 1982 and blew up in the US in the mid 1980"s.

I was doing blow to INXS back in the day.
I have to take my Geritol now. G'nite. XDDD




Seacar22 said...

Spandau Ballet ??

Lacaze Zara said...

thánk

Lacaze Zara said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

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