HILL OF BEANS: The "Hill of Beans" Story

Hill of Beans

The "Hill of Beans" Story

© 2004 Stevetime Music, BMI (634479057052)

The original comedy/folk/punk duo that inspired Beck's "Satan Gave Me a Taco" and Tenacious D.

notes

FEATURED ON THE HIT SHOWTIME SERIES "WEEDS"!!!

Froo Froo HAH!

If you happened to live in Los Angeles in the early 1990s and frequented coffeehouses (such as Jabberjaw, Highland Grounds, or The Pik-Me-Up,) attended one of the many anti-War Rallies (against Gulf War I,) or listened to your local college radio station, chances are you have heard and/or seen Hill of Beans.

The duo existed from 1988-91. It consisted of Steve Moramarco playing the acoustic guitar and singing, with his partner David Markowitz singing and playing a variety of acoustic instruments including accordion, fiddle and mandolin. They would often show up at an event and perform unannounced,
in a style they referred to as "terror folk."

Their blend of comedy, harmony, rock, punk, and folk inspired a young folksinger named Beck to write "Satan Gave Me a Taco" in homage to "Satan, Lend Me a Dollar," and later "Steve Threw Up," about an unfortunate street fair incident. (Two things Steve throws up are "beans" and "saurkraut," a reference to the song "Down & Out.")

Comedian/musician Jack Black was also an attendee at early Hill of Beans shows, having been a student at UCLA when both Steve and Dave were there. Jack went on to start his own comedy/folk acoustic duo "Tenacious D" several years later.

Hill of Beans' first demo tape, consisting of songs such as "Appreciate," and "Lunatic Asylum" gave them instant popularity on college station KXLU. In 1990, with the help of a friend, they put out a seven-song CD, simply entitled "Hill of Beans," and sent it to college stations all over the U.S.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with top-ten spots all over the country, including Portland, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Chicago. The song "Satan Lend Me a Dollar," was especially popular, although "Magic Toe" and "Ozone Layer" were close behind.

One song, "Afghanistan," (a comedic Irish/Middle-Eastern jig) now sounds strangely contemporary, as does "The Sh*t Has Hit the Fan," in which they sang about George (the first) and Saddam.

In 1991, after a short-but-successful tour across the country entitled "Hill on Wheels," the group disbanded. Steve went on to form the Power Pop group Bean (which put out a very rare split 7" with Beck) and then later The Abe Lincoln Story, which he currently fronts.

David went on to play in a variety of Middle Eastern and World Music groups and currently plays fiddle in Hot Off the Range and Blackjack, two popular folk bands based on Catalina Island, where he lives.

In 2005, the hit Showtime series "Weeds" wisely included "Satan, Lend Me a Dollar" on their show and soundtrack album!!

Hill of Beans was a rowdy, fun, often funny, more often silly, sometimes political, sometimes sweet, weird folk group. They didn't record much in the studio proper. They mostly just played live and delivered their songs in the old Woody Guthrie tradition.

Included on this CD is the original 7-song album released in 1990, plus demos, radio and live recordings that have been restored to their best possible quality. And as a bonus, the original "Satan, Lend Me a Dollar" video is also here! What some of the tunes may lack in fidelity, they will hopefully make up for in the humor and musicality that was their trademark.

Non-dairy, no caffeine, all-natural ingredients.

reviews

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  • Loved Playing Their Songs
    author: Brian

    Following up on K.D.'s post, I was a DJ at Rollins College in 1991 (and summer of 92) and used to play Magic Toe and Satan all the time. I'm glad to know someone was listening and enjoyed hearing it as much as I enjoyed playing it. Trying to remember the way we ID'd ourselves (WPRK, 91.5 FM, the best in basement radio -- I think). Those songs made their way onto many a mix tape I made for others. For years, I wished that I had stolen the station's copy of the CD. Glad to know that I can buy it now.

  • author: K. D. Brandon, FL

    I heard these guys song, "Magic Toe", on Rollins College radio from Winter Park, FL in 1991. It struck me as fun. I like the warped lyrics and the sense of timing with the lyrics. I taped a copy off the radio and have kept it all these years. My college friends and I got together the other night and we talked about fun things - they remembered that "funny-ass song" I would always play for them at the end of a long-drinking night. Thanks to CD Baby for still offering it to us.

  • Amounts To MORE Than A Hill Of Beans!!
    author: The Owl

    This is a GREAT compilation and a peek into the demented and hilarious world of Hill of Beans! Having been lucky enoough to see them on their now legendary "Hill On Wheels" tour performing this material, I'm so glad it was preserved for posteriority! Favorite track: "BIOLOGICAL CHANGE" More catchy than a disease and great fun all around!

  • You should buy this
    author: Oliver Burkill

    These are very funny songs, I love watching peoples reactions when they here these for the first time. However the songs and the sentiments are good enough that this is definatly not just going to be a short lived novelty CD.

  • Hill of Beans from coast to coast
    author: Harlem, NY

    I have the original CD of The Hill of Beans Story released in the early 1990s and actually saw the dynamic duo perform live at the now defunct King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in the East Village. I'm thrilled that the CD has been re-released with bonus features. It's as relevant and as funny as ever.

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