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Gin Blossoms are coming to Celebrate Virginia Live
BY ANDREA NEALON If you listened to the radio back in the mid-'90s, you couldn't escape the Gin Blossoms' catchy "Hey Jealousy." When it comes to Virginia's scenic landscape, the Arizona band might still harbor a little of that jealousy. "We've played in Virginia for years," said guitarist and vocalist Jesse Valenzuela in a recent phone interview. "The countryside is gorgeous, especially if you come from out West like us. We don't have that kind of greenery." CELEBRATE VIRGINIA DRIES out Tomorrow, the Gin Blossoms will have a chance to enjoy the local scenery again when they perform on the outdoor stage at Celebrate Virginia Live, along with Tonic. It's the second show for the fledgling concert series, which had to cancel last Friday's performance by Fredericksburg native Keller Williams due to flooding. That concert has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1. However, promoter David Peterson said all systems are go for tomorrow's show. Peterson said he hopes an influx of visitors for Saturday's Marine Corps Historic Half race will help the concert build on the roughly 1,000 people who attended the Wailers' show two weeks ago. And with the help of another household name--one of alternative rock's earliest post-grunge pioneers--the forecast looks good. BLOSSOMING TALENT Though the Gin Blossoms formed in 1987, it wasn't until the 1992 release of their second album, "New Miserable Experience," that the band found commercial success. The album generated five hit singles, including "Hey Jealousy," "Until I Fall Away" and "Found Out About You." The band's 1996 follow-up, "Congratulations I'm Sorry," met with even greater acclaim, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 album chart with singles such as "Follow You Down" and "Til I Hear It From You." Despite these accomplishments, the Gin Blossoms broke up in 1997 as members decided to pursue other musical interests. The band regrouped in 2002, and has been touring off and on since then. THE PARADIGM SHIFTS Following the '80s nostalgia wave that has brought everyone from Guns N' Roses to Flavor Flav back into the spotlight, it might follow that the early '90s are soon due for a resurgence. The Gin Blossoms' recent activity gives every indication that they're ready for it. But the band isn't just sitting around waiting for it to happen.
Date published: 5/14/2009
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