The Mommyheads, a newly-reformed and much-followed bohemian rock band founded in the late 80’s, recently embarked on a global tour to promote the reissue of their album Flying Suit, and just announced another series of shows promoting a compilation spanning their entire career, entitled Finest Specimens. As with any hotly-anticipated band resurgence, this retrospective is chock full of their hits as well as a plethora of live recordings, previously unreleased tracks and much more.
The bands’ story is cut from the same cloth as almost every other indie band. The Mommyheads originated in the birthplace of all bohemian and cultish rock bands: New York City. The project of front-man Adam Cohen, their beginnings were meager. They released a 4-track EP recorded via a record label run out of an NYU dorm room by Sonic Youth engineer Wharton Tiers in 1987. Their first full-length album, Acorn, arose out of a collaboration between Cohen and Matt Patrick, an accompanying vocalist and bassist. The recording itself was made while the band was still in high school.
As the years moved on, the band’s discography lived vicariously through compilations, EPs and “studio” albums, all produced and recorded by up-and-coming record labels. It was almost as if The Mommyheads had a lust for obscurity. Perhaps they were most driven by the thrill of their “popular obscurity,” and the idea that they were building their own success without the aid of commercial advertising or big-name record labels.
The band split up in 1998, and had since then occasionally satiated the burning hunger of jilted fans in the form of sporadic concerts and singles. However, following the death of former Mommyhead drummer Jan Kotik, the band reformed, much to the elation of their faithful mosh pit of fans. This most recent release of two Mommyhead works will surely curb the Mommyhead-fan’s lust for more of their Mommy, as well as mark a new era for the notoriously underground quartet.
Fall Mini-Tour Dates:
9.09 – Bowery Ballroom, New York
10.2 – The Living Room, New York
10. 30 – The Stone Church, Newmarket, NH
