Album Notes

Rock n roll without computers!

Looking for an old-school recording on their 3rd full-length, Hoover's G-String packed up the van and headed to Knoxville, TN to work with Superdrag drummer and engineer extraordinaire Don Coffey, Jr. "We wanted to just plug in and roll tape, and hopefully capture the guitar sounds and energy of the band like we play live," says bassist/guitarist Jim Reinholz. "No computers or click tracks or any of that stuff-just an old-school 'crank it up and mess with the amps until you get the right sound' kinda recording."

After two well received full-lengths and an EP already under their belt, Hoover's G-String has messed with a lot of amps. With the release of full-length number 3 ELEPHANT PARTS, the band enjoys a level of underground acclaim that has seen their music spread from college radio charts and MTV show soundtracks to cover band playlists in England and Ireland. Although the Washington, DC trio still enjoys toiling in relative obscurity and maintains their always self-deprecating sense of humor, drummer and former male model Bill Gatter says he welcomes the recent increase in popularity. "I was pretty sick of being recognized as the guy from the Calvin Klein commercials. It was getting old. So it's pretty gratifying now when somebody actually knows about Hoover's G-String and can complement me on my drumming instead of my torso posing."

True to form, ELEPHANT PARTS extends the band's walk on the wobbly line of a beer-swilling trio with a love for instrumentals, poppy two-minute songs and the tight arrangements that make them a great live band. Songwriter Jeff Reinholz continues his lyrical tradition of skewering wannabe rock stars and taking not-so-subtle stabs at the political establishment. The song "Go Back To Texas" is an obvious plea to DC's most famous resident, while "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a straightforward slap at the hypocritical military policy that allows gay American soldiers to cruise the streets of Baghdad in poorly armored vehicles.....as long as they don't admit to being gay.

But make no mistake, cold beer, loud guitars and driving drums are much more important to this band than the politics DC is so famous for. Recorded in the wee hours of several long weekends in Knoxville and fueled by an endless supply of Budweiser and cold pizza, ELEPHANT PARTS delivers an honest, no frills rock n roll record that recalls the hard-drinking days of the Replacements. "We all loved the sounds on the Superdrag records," says Gatter. "But the real reason we wanted to work with Don was his ability to hang with our heavy drinking and questionable hygiene in the studio-the two keys to making a good record."

With guest appearances by Knoxville musicians Mic Harrison (Superdrag, V-Roys) and Tim Lee (Windbreakers) adding some nice touches to the lineup, ELEPHANT PARTS is a must-have album for fans of indie rock and power pop.