Blake Babies
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Albums, EPs, Singles |
Blake Babies were a college rock ensemble originating from Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1986. The principal lineup featured Freda Love, Juliana Hatfield, and John Strohm. Prior to their initial disbandment in 1991, they produced three albums. The group later reunited to create a new record in 1999 and came together once more in 2016.
History
The formation of the band took place in 1986 during Hatfield’s tenure at Berklee College of Music. The name "Blake Babies" was inspired by poet Allen Ginsberg following a reading event at Harvard University. Their first release, the mini-album Nicely, Nicely, was independently issued under their own Chewbud label in 1987.
In 1989, the band put out the mini-LP Slow Learner through Billy Bragg’s Utility label, which included contributions from temporary bassist Evan Dando of the Lemonheads. Subsequently, they secured a deal with Mammoth Records, an independent label based in North Carolina, which released Earwig (1989) and Sunburn (1990). The latter received acclaim as "the last great college rock album." Their final tour in the United Kingdom featured multiple sold-out performances, indicating a possible breakthrough before their 1991 hiatus. The Rosy Jack World EP came out in June 1991 amid speculation about Hatfield’s potential solo career with a major label. The band's dissolution was officially announced in early 1992.
Throughout their career, Blake Babies extensively toured both the United States and Europe, achieving moderate popularity primarily among college audiences via college radio rather than mainstream commercial stations.
Additional musicians including Andrew Mayer, Seth White, Anthony DeLuca, and Mike Leahy joined them for various tours. Following the group's breakup, Strohm and Love collaborated within the Indiana-based band Antenna.
The band regrouped toward the end of 1999 to record new material and played select concerts through 2000, followed by a U.S. tour in 2001. Their album God Bless the Blake Babies was released by Rounder Records that same year.
In 2003, Hatfield and Love teamed up again with Heidi Gluck to create the band Some Girls.
March 2016 saw Blake Babies announce the release of Earwig Demos, featuring demo recordings from March 1988, along with a reunion for three live shows during that year.
Musical style
Critics often likened the band’s sound to that of R.E.M. and Throwing Muses.The Washington Post characterized their music as "punkish folk-rock."
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1987 | Nicely, Nicely |
| 1989 | Slow Learner |
| 1989 | Earwig |
| 1990 | Sunburn |
| 2001 | God Bless the Blake Babies |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Innocence & Experience |
| 2016 | Earwig Demos 6–7 March 1988 |
Extended plays
| Year | EP information |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Rosy Jack World |
| 2002 | Epilogue |
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | B-Side tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "Cesspool" | Earwig | |
| 1990 | "Lament" | "Cesspool" & "Loose" | |
| 1990 | "Out There" | Sunburn | |
| 1991 | "Temptation Eyes" | Innocence & Experience | |
| 1991 | "Take Me" | ||
| 2001 | "Nothing Ever Happens" | God Bless the Blake Babies |
DVD
- Blake Babies (2016)
External links
- Alternative rock groups from Massachusetts
- Musical groups from Boston
- Musical groups established in 1986
- Musical groups disestablished in 1992
- Musical groups reestablished in 1999
- Musical groups disestablished in 2001
- Musical groups reestablished in 2016
- 1986 establishments in Massachusetts
- Zoë Records artists