When Hot Water Music took to the stage this past Sunday at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, the collective energy of the crowd had already begun to rumble. Having been founded in 1994, the longevity of the band, paired with its ability to grow musically, while crafting excellent songs (many of them having become anthems), has allowed their music to be woven into their fans lives. Each album Hot Water Music has released is a reflection of how they interact with the world around them, and as they experience the different offerings of life through the years, their fans continue on parallel journey alongside them. Each album is a touchstone that allows the listener to check in with the band, in the way one would compare life notes with a loyal friend. Whether you need to cope with, or fight back against the hardships of this Earth, seek emotional release, or want to embrace the joys of life by singing out with Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard’s collective roar, there is a song for you to share in. The sharing is not one sided either. As my wife, my brother, and I made our way through the crowd, we could see fathers with their children. They now had a touchstone too, one that added insight into their parents’ lives, associating familial bonds, with the bonding power of music.
The first chords of the night pierced through the air, igniting the spirit of the crowd. Our hearts lockstep with the drums, the bass the blood of our pulse, and as Ragan, backed by Chris Cresswell (filling in for Chris Wollard), unleashed their voices, our minds attuned to their message. Having listened to them since high school, but only now seeing them live for the first time as a thirty-something adult, the scene resonated with me deeply. I was overjoyed to be a witness to the event and during the very few seconds of breaths Hot Water Music took between a song or two, I realized they held the blueprint young bands should take note of and I would like to break down a few key points for you below.
1. Survival. If you want your band to succeed, your band needs to survive. This can only be achieved healthfully if your band functions as caring siblings. You must deal with issues in a constructive manner, give constructive criticism, accept constructive criticism, take joy in each others triumphs, and regulate your ego. I do not know Hot Water Music personally, but I am certain they are a brotherhood. They are one of the lucky few bands to genuinely look like they are enjoying themselves onstage. They cannot hold back smiles during their performance, which is a side effect of the palpable warmth that can be felt when you see each member interact with the other. When Ragan took a moment to address how unfortunate it was that Chris Wollard could not be with them for this tour [note: this was due to health issues) and asked the crowd to send Wollard their positive vibes, it was understood that this man felt for his bandmate like a brother. As Ragan shifted to introducing Chris Cresswell from The Flatliners, who was filling in for Wollard, the band’s sincere appreciation could be felt. By being a band that displays love for one another, their friends, and fans they have been able to handle the challenges of life in the studio, on the road, and on stage as a fortified unit, backed by the supportive community they have built around them.
2. Originality. Do not be afraid to be original. Too often bands (of any age) push to sound like their influences, instead of being inspired by them. They rest in the comfort of reproducing what came before them, as it is a proven formula. While a band can be successful as a facsimile, they will not arrive with the heat that stirs hearts and minds. It can be scary to be original, because crafting good, original music is hard, and a group may fail multiple times before it finds their sound. Using Hot Water Music as an example, ask yourself who do they sound like? The answer is Hot Water Music. Then ask yourself, who sounds like them (or at least tries to)? The answer is a great many. Hot Water Music is the standout, because they dare to explore.
3. Evolution. A band needs to evolve for their musical health, mental health, and to prevent stagnation. Each record released should be a new milestone in some fashion. Whether it be honing musicianship, record quality, finding better ways to work, better ways to tour, and so on, there should be progression. Listen to the first releases by Hot Water Music and then play the last few. The bones of the band are always there, but over the years the musculature has been added to, the form has become ever more chiseled. They are always a better version of what they were, and what they were always displayed excellence in some shape, form, or entirety.
4. Be kind. Be kind to yourself, or you won’t last long. Be kind to your bandmates, because they should only put up with so much. Be kind to your fans, because they took the time to listen to your music, and by coming to your show their appearance tells you that they connect with you on some level. During Hot Water Music’s soundcheck George Rebelo tested his drums. As the front row of the crowd began to exclaim their love for him, not only did George acknowledge them with a friendly grin, but he also made his way to the front of the stage to give out a drumstick, and slap hands with those in attendance. During the performance Cresswell was joined on the mic at one point from someone from backstage. The backstage member was seen off with a kiss on the cheek as he made his way back to where he had been watching the show. When the band returned for their encore, Ragan passed his guitar midway through the final song to his roadie. The roadie passionately played with the band, as Ragan launched himself into the crowd, the whole entangled mass belting out the final lyrics of the night. All members, Ragan, Black, Rebelo, and Cresswell could be seen speaking with and shaking hands with the audience after they had finished their two song encore. Their kindness forever fuels the respect they deserve and maintains the relationship they have with their loyal fanbase.
It will only serve a young band in a valuable fashion if they analyze the components of what makes a band like Hot Water Music great. Even if the music is outside of their chosen genre, there are lessons to be learned, and wisdom to be gained. It is no mistake why Hot Water Music has been able to produce monumental music for twenty-three years. Here’s to many more.
Hot Water Music’s new album is “Light It Up,” released this year. Their website is https://www.hotwatermusic.com/ . Chris Cresswell’s band, The Flatliners, can be found here: http://www.theflatliners.com/ . The artwork for this article is Hot Water Music's logo, sourced from their Facebook page found here: HWM Logo.