New Additions: Mesmerization by The Burners

This isn't, strictly speaking, a "new addition" in that I acquired it a few months back at Elizabeth Records here in Columbus. While it was sitting in the local section for a few prior visits, I did a little research as I was completely unfamiliar with the band, and dug up enough info to figure it was worth grabbing, and I'm glad I did. Turns out Happy Chichester, in a later discussion, cites The Burners as an important early influence, and specifically bassist Michael Gene.

Alive: Howlin’ Maggie revisits ‘Hyde’

Back in 2016, Happy Chichester reformed Howlin' Maggie for a pair of shows revisiting the 2001 album Hyde. The Alive interviewed Happy around that time to talk about the album and shows:

In 2001, Chichester and his wife launched their own label, PopFly Music, to release Howlin’ Maggie’s Hyde. On Friday, Chichester will celebrate the 15th anniversary of PopFly by performing Hyde in its entirety (plus a few Honeysuckle Strange cuts) at Natalie’s Coal-Fired Pizza alongside Smith, guitarist Ellison, original Maggie bassist Jim Rico and additional guitarist Joey Hebdo. 

Until recent rehearsals, Chichester hadn’t played most of the Hyde songs in 14 years, but fans were anxious to hear the tunes again: The Natalie’s show sold out in fewer than 12 hours, so he booked an encore Hyde performance at Ace of Cups for Thursday, Sept. 22. 

“The songs have aged pretty well in my estimation - even ones that I would not have expected to have a shelf life,” said Chichester, seated in a booth at an Old North bar for a recent interview. “Sometimes songs are totems almost. ... It’s like dream analysis. You gain some insights into your dreams when you have some more distance.”

New Additions: Hyde by Howlin' Maggie

Here's the weird thing about this album - the band I was in at the time played with Howlin' Maggie at Little Brother's in Columbus for this album release, I didn't pick up a copy of the album at that time. Maybe it was because I was seeing the band constantly around this time, and that I was a poor musician, but when I finally got the album, I recognized almost all the songs. It helps that Harold "Happy" Chichester is an amazing songwriter and can write a great hook, lodging these tunes in my brain for almost twenty years.

Know Yer Band: Howlin Maggie

Band: Howlin' Maggie

Members
Vocals/Guitar/Keys - Harold Chichester
Guitar - Andy Harrison/Lance Ellison
Bass - Jim Rico/Christian Hurd
Drums - Jerome Dillon/Carlton Smith

Releases
1996 - Honeysuckle Strange album (Columbia)
2001 - Hyde album (PopFly Music)

Know Yer Band: Royal Crescent Mob

Band: Royal Crescent Mob

Members
Vocals - David Ellison
Guitar - Brian "Mr. B" Emch
Bass/Keyboards/Vocals - Harold "Happy" Chichester
Drums/Percussion - Bill Schwers/Carlton Smith

Releases
1985 - Land of Sugar mini-album (No Other Records)
1987 - Omerta album (Moving Target)
1988 - Something Old, Borrowed, New album (Moving Target)
1989 - Spin The World album (Sire)
1991 - Midnight Rose's album (Sire)
1992 - 13 Destruction album (Mobco)
1993 - Good Lucky Killer album (Enemy Records)