FAQ2a

2.5 New Label

2.5.1 Why did the Hooters leave Columbia/CBS/Sony?
On July 21, 1990, the Hooters "hit the wall"- a term used by runners when they've gone as far as they can. In Berlin, they had just played Roger Waters' multimedia extravaganza THE WALL, and then... "OK, what next?" The Hooters clearly needed a break, so they went their separate ways for a while, only reuniting on occasion through 1991 to try out some new songs. The plan was to write and record a new album right away, with a release in January 1991, but it wasn't to be. The problem for them was Sony, who, upset about the lack of commercial success of ZIG ZAG, flatly didn't like what Eric and Rob were writing as the next album. So the decision was made to leave the label. When the Hooters had first signed to Columbia, it was the best label in the business; the support was unmatched. But things changed when Sony took over; people who had been supportive of the Hooters left the company; the very direction of the company changed, and the Hooters no longer fit in "the plan."

2.5.2 How did they get signed to MCA?
Now without a label, something had to give and Eric and Rob decided it had to be them; they had to get out of their years-old shell & get their second wind. They started working with many other writers. They started really listening to feedback about the songs. They hired Mindy. Once signed they decided on a new recording studio. All this helped them to define exactly what a Hooters song was and they also got help to decide what could still be suitable out of the songs rejected by Sony.

Al Teller had been president of CBS Records when the Hooters were signed, and they were one of his favorite bands. So when Al, now chairman at MCA, heard the Hooters were looking for a label, he inquired. The Hooters signed to MCA Records in January 1992.

2.6 Out of Body

2.6.1 How did the Hooters meet Mindy Jostyn?
Eric and Rob first met Mindy backstage after a 1989 Billy Joel concert at the Spectrum in Philly. There was immediate interest because of similar musical influences and instruments. They took her address and sent her a copy of ZIG ZAG, which she loved. Two years later, in December 1991, Eric and Rob called Mindy in New York and asked to get together. There was immediate chemistry; Mindy felt their music was written along violin lines (note: mandolin & violin use same tuning) and vocally the 3-part harmony lead to instant rapport.

The sessions went extremely well but Rob & Eric were nervous when they played back the tape. No worries; it was incredible. They called her and said, "Even if you don't join the band, you're still a Hooter." She officially joined the band in January 1992.

2.6.2 Why didn't Rick Chertoff produce?
Part of the plan of the "reborn" Hooters was to NOT do everything that they had been doing all these years, so that meant the big task of finding another producer who was hip to the music and could work with them. Joe Hardy (with ZZ Top, Steve Earle & Tom Cochrane work under his belt) perfectly fit the bill. When asked if he wanted this by Paul Atkinson, senior A&R VP at MCA, Joe said, "Ahhh, the Hooters! My two favorite bands are the Beatles and the Hooters." He was a musician, understanding, and demanding. Rather than allow Eric and Rob to nitpick a song apart before recording, as they had always done, he took tracks directly from Hooters demos and made them "commit and move on." The resulting album was recorded in just 4 weeks (previous albums had taken 4-6 MONTHS), proving to them that this method worked VERY well. Joe was also a wizard on the technical end of record making, stuff like special effects, and used it well on OUT OF BODY.

2.6.3 Who sings and what is that song leading into "Boys Will Be Boys"?
That's Cyndi Lauper's road manager Robin, singing "Wild Mountain Thyme" over the telephone.

2.6.4 What does this album represent for the Hooters?
Every album has been different. NERVOUS NIGHT was pop fun. ONE WAY HOME was folk fun leaning toward serious. ZIG ZAG was mostly serious & political. The previous 3 years was a tribulation of sorts for the band, both personal and professional. Some members were upbeat through that time; others had hit the very bottom. These experiences made OUT OF BODY a very personally oriented album, reflecting their realization that they were human, too.

2.7 The Live Album

2.7.1 Why wasn't this released in the USA?
MCA felt there wasn't a market for it here.

2.7.2 Why isn't ____ on here?
The album was recorded live in Germany over December 2 & 3, 1993. They recorded everything, then picked the best tracks of the 2 nights.

2.7.3 Who did the package artwork?
The whole package design and layout was done by Eric on his home computer.

2.8 What happened to the band and Largo
In 1995, the Hooters left MCA for Mercury Records.

From Eric's site: "Basically we ran out of steam as a creative Entity, at least as a rock band. What was supposed to be the next Hooters album became "Largo", a beautiful and undiscovered gem of a concept album spearheaded by Rick and Rob with much help from David Forman and William Wittman (the perpetually unsung hero...the absolute Final Word in recording sonics, as well as a killer bass player).�

Largo includes Rob, Fran, David,Rick Chertoff, Cyndi Lauper, The Chieftains, Carole King, The Band, Taj Mahal, and Joan Osborne.

2.9 Time Stand Still

2.9.1 It�s been 14 years. What happened?
The band never broke up, but they went their separate ways to pursue other projects and have families. They remained friends and had ideas that they might reunite someday. The major catalyst was Pierre Robert�s 20th Anniversary at WMMR. At that concert, they essentially realized how much they missed playing together. After a few summer tours in Europe and some new material, it was time for another album.

2.9.2 What does the title mean?
Rob said on WAXQ 104.3 that it�s about the band enjoying a good concert and wanting to keep that moment.

2.9.3 What happened to the other version of �Time Stand Still�?
The song was played in concerts in 2005-6, but according to Eric�s site, they reworked the song and like the new one better. �Those of you who have a bootleg recording of the other one, cheers to you. Play it for your friends but not for us, please.�