In this episode of School of Hip Chaz and Heath are joined by friend of the show and bonafide Tragically Hip Super Fan Chris Doucher, a comic book reporter whose work is featured at GeekNerdNet.com and on the GNN Instagram page.
Chris shares the deep connection he feels to the lyrics of Gord Downie, with a special emphasis on two meaningful passages in particular, which he’s tattooed to his forearms (one featured on this very show). Talk also turns to his concert experience on that final tour, prior to Gord’s passing (yes, tears were shed in streams) and a humorous chance run-in with the Hip frontman and guitarist Paul Langois mere days later.
Then it’s off the races with Side A of Trouble at Henhouse. The acknowledged masterpiece of the collection is undoubtedly the tender Ahead by a Century, arguably the band’s biggest song. But did you know about an earlier version of the song, an eye-raising “dirty version,” as it’s been called? We also review a newly released cover of the classic, featuring City and Colour, Ruby Waters, and Boi-1da.
The ambitious album side also takes us to the Grand Canyon (Gift Shop) and brings us face to face with Kurt Cobain, reincarnated as a sled dog on Don’t Wake Daddy. This leads to a tale of from 1989 when the Hip and Nirvana played a gig together, pre-fame.
Other tunes from the classic album include: Springtime in Vienna, Flamenco, and 700 Foot Ceiling.
Whether you’re a lifelong Hip fan or just curious about what makes this band so iconic in Canada, School of Hip is your guide to the sounds and the story of the Tragically Hip, one album side per episode. Episodes drop every two weeks.
For further exploration:
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Reach out to us on our School of Hip Facebook Group or on our School of Hip Discord page and watch for our posts in the awesome Reddit Tragically Hip community.
Also:
The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip by Michael Barclay.
Chaz Charles is the founder of the Boneless Podcasting Network, currently hosting five fantastic shows (and appearing in many more!)
Heath McCoy is the author of Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, available on Amazon.ca and at ECW Press. He appears in the award winning documentary Singhs in the Ring on Crave TV.
And once again, to all you rock n’ roll podcast lovers .... GO BONELESS!