Showbiz sessions

Hootie & the Blowfish likes songs 'covered'

Hootie and the Blowfish has it covered -- its new CD features cover songs of artists such as REM and Led Zepplin

November 3, 2000
Web posted at: 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California -- Hootie & the Blowfish hopes fans like its music the way they like their hash browns. The band's latest album is titled "Scattered, Smothered and Covered," which is a way customers can order hash browns at Waffle House restaurants.

On this new LP, all the songs, appropriately, are covers. The South Carolina-based band pulled together 10 songs they performed by their favorite artists, such as R.E.M., Roy Orbison and Led Zeppelin.

Often referred to as the "ultimate bar band," Hootie & the Blowfish has always performed cover songs in concert and in the studio. But this album marks the first time its cover versions will be released in the United States.

VIDEO Hootie and the Blowfish perform 'Blind' for CNN's Showbiz Today Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The band didn't want to have a long hiatus between their albums and it "had all this stuff laying around ... and it started to come together into a pretty good record," said lead singer Darius Rucker.

In a unique effort to put a "positive spin on the Internet and music," the band set up a Web site so fans could log on and vote for five songs to be included on the new album.

"Scattered, Smothered and Covered" hit record store shelves on October 24.

Hootie & the Blowfish play 'Musical Chairs'
January 20, 2000

Hootie.com
Wall of Sound: Hootie & the Blowfish
Allmusic.com

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