The Hops

Rock trio The Hops released a digital 4-song EP in 2009, but their new album, Won’t It Be Fun, is effectively the band’s debut. And it’s a release that, as they suggest, takes listeners on a “genre ride”—with influences that range from funk to indie to jazz to acoustic to alternative and back again. Won’t It Be Fun was produced by Ian Spudes of Gravity Studios with the help of Doug McBride (Veruca Salt, Fall Out Boy, Badly Drawn Boy).

The Hops formed in 2008 when lead singer/bassist Patrick Tinning moved to Chicago from Austin, Texas. “The music scene was very competitive in Austin,” said Tinning, “But after I moved, I kind of had a crash course in how to put a band together. I joined my buddy Bruce Stone’s band, The Broken Belts, and saw how he did things (which I liked) and pretty much used his blueprint.”

That’s also how Tinning met drummer TJ Walker, and after a few different guitarists, they settled on Cullin Kress, who also has a punk band called The Dead End Yuppies.

As with most recording projects, Tinning admits that it was stressful at times being the band’s debut, but also that they made it fun. As for the music, The Hops combine funk to indie and even a hint of jazz in “Thermometer Splits.” The funky acoustic pace of “Signs” may remind people of Incubus, and “Fantasma” has a 90’s alternative feel with its Gin Blossoms/Counting Crows vibe. But mostly, Won’t It Be Fun is an entertaining debut for indie music fans who also appreciate some level of experimentation.

“I’m hoping the album will allow us to build up our fan base nationally,” said Tinning. “We want this to be the start of a beautiful relationship with our fans. And hopefully they’ll come back again for our next record.”

For more information, please visit www.thehops.net

- Music News Nashville