San Francisco's 4 Non Blondes burst onto the national scene with their massive, neo-hippie anthem
"What's Up" from their debut Bigger, Better, Faster, More? Although they failed to recreate the single's success, the album, as a whole, is a fairly engaging mix of alternative rock, quasi-funk, and blues. 4 Non Blondes formed in San Francisco in 1989. Their lineup comprises Linda Perry (guitars, vocals), Christa Hillhouse (bass), Dawn Richardson (drums) and Roger Rocha (guitar); previously in the band were founding members Shaunna Hall (guitar) and Wanda Day (drums).
The name of the band came from an experience the group had in the Bay Area with a blonde family.
According to Christa Hillhouse, "Right next to us, there's a trash receptacle with a piece of pizza on top and the kid wanted to pick it up. The mom said, 'No, it's probably dirty, what with the pigeons and people.' And she stared right at us. We were Non Blondes." They said the experience became a symbol that they did not fit the California stereotype. They got their start in the San Francisco bar scene, especially lesbian bars, gaining a significant lesbian following.
The focal point is on lead singer Linda Perry who also plays guitar and was the primary writer of
the material. Perry has a powerful set of pipes akin to Johnette Napolitano, but, unfortunately, she tends to cut loose when a little more restraint would benefit the proceedings. However, "Superfly" is a feel good, funky number and "Spaceman"'s yearning lyrics are delivered over a quiet, martial drum rhythm. A solid debut that got lost in the wake of its mammoth hit.
The video for "What's Up?" became a smash on MTV, propelling sales of the album to over six
million copies worldwide. "What's Up?" was selected as Best Song by the Bay Area Music Awards; moreover, Perry was chosen as Best Female Vocalist and Bigger, Better, Faster, More? won for Best Album. The group toured with Neil Young, Pearl Jam, and Bob Dylan. The band recorded tunes for the soundtracks to Wayne's World 2 and Airheads. The first single was "Dear Mr. President", which bass player Christa Hillhouse told Songfacts "was about the hierarchy of power and government."
The second single, "What's Up?", reached No. 1 in several countries and went gold in the United States,
while the album itself went platinum, accumulating sales of 1.5 million copies in the United States alone and 6 million copies worldwide. However, Perry felt that the group had become too pop; consequently, she left 4 Non Blondes. She released her solo debut, In Flight, in 1995. Perry departed from Interscope Records in 1998 and recorded her second full-length, After Hours, for her own label, Rockstar Records.
4 Non Blondes – Bigger, Better, Faster, More!
Label:Interscope Records – 7 92112-2, Atlantic – 7 92112-2
Format:CD, Album, Stereo
Country:US
Released:Oct 13, 1992
Genre:Rock
Style:Alternative Rock, Folk Rock, Hard Rock
TRACKS
01. Train 3:47
02. Superfly 4:37
03. What's Up 4:55
Engineer – Mark Hensley, Kent Matcke
04. Pleasantly Blue 2:27
05. Morphine & Chocolate 4:41
06. Spaceman 3:40
07. Old Mr. Heffer 2:16
08. Calling All The People 3:17
09. Dear Mr. President 4:43
10. Drifting 3:30
11. No Place Like Home 3:09
LINE - UP
Linda Perry – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Christa Hillhouse – bass, background vocals
Roger Rocha – lead guitar (credited but joined after the album's completion)
Dawn Richardson – drums
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Shaunna Hall – guitar
Rory Kaplan – Mellotron
Suzie Katayama – cello, accordion
Louis Metoyer – guitar
Dave Rickets – keyboard
Andy James – drums
Laurent Tardy – piano
