BLIND MELON IN CONCERT:
Following lead singer Shannon Hoon's tragic death in 1998, the surviving members of Blind Melon didn't reconvene for their first live performance until 2007. But when they finally returned to the stage, longtime fans -- or Melonheads, as they're affectionately dubbed -- were relieved to see the band's catalog of alt-rock jams in the capable hands of singer Travis Warren. Tasked with the near-impossible job of filling Hoon's shoes, Warren perfectly captures the band's spirit, performing with a youthful vigor that's both fittingly reminiscent of Hoon and refreshingly new. With one album of new material post-Hoon, Blind Melon's live shows are largely dedicated to honoring the late singer's legacy and reconnecting with fans. Today, the group plays a handful of one-off shows every year, breathing new life into their catalog of hits and giving both recent and longtime fans an unforgettable live experience.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
It's been a long, strange trip for alt-rock collective Blind Melon, who have spent over two decades basking in the spotlight, weathering tragedy, and finally reemerging under a new roster. The group was formed in Los Angeles in 1990, with charismatic lead singer Shannon Hoon helming the band's wave of fame in the early '90s. Their self-titled 1992 debut album spawned a massive smash, "No Rain," that earned them notoriety among the MTV crowd and helped propel the album on to the Billboard Top 40. Their sophomore album, Soup, delved into murkier waters, ditching the catchy hooks and hippie vibes of "No Rain" in favor of darker melodies and brooding lyrics. While touring in support of the album in 1995, Hoon died of a drug overdose at age 28. The following year, the four surviving members released Nico, an album of demos and outtakes named after Hoon's daughter. The group officially parted ways in 1999, with each member undertaking various side projects, including bassist Brad Smith and guitarist Christopher Thorn's short-lived group Unified Theory. Thanks to the re-emerging popularity of jam bands and alt-rock nostalgia in the mid-'00s, Blind Melon's 2005 Best Of album and 2006 Live at the Palace album were both huge hits and ultimately led to the group's reunion. Singer-songwriter Travis Warren was recruited to replace Hoon, and the newly reformed Blind Melon played their first string of club dates in 2007, following it up with an album of new material, 2008's For My Friend. After a brief hiatus in 2009, the band is back together, playing a few sporadic shows every year that remind rock fans of Blind Melon's unwavering legacy.
