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Twenty years after the death of frontman , his image and ’s music still resound for old and new listeners as the band gets ready to play again in Lafayette

PROVIDED BY IUPUI One of the all-gender restroom signs that will be at University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Bathroom politics amp up LGBT rights debate All-gender facilities may help ease awkward need

Stephanie Wang [email protected]

Kit Malone mentally mapped bath- rooms wherever she went, keeping track of single-occupancy facilities where it would be safe for her to go. As a transgender woman, she had reached a point in her transition from male to female where she started re- ceiving funny looks and under-the- CHORDS breath comments in men’s rest- rooms. Even when she wore just jeans and a T-shirt, her facial appear- ance and hairstyle didn’t fit in any- OF CHEMISTRY more. She felt unsafe, worried about men attacking her for looking too feminine. Still, she was nervous about using “It’s the Domenica Bongiovanni [email protected] See LGBT, Page 9A ultimate One day last spring, Brock Richert as an pulled into the Mobil gas station at Ferry Street and North Earl Avenue, windows artist to down, blaring Blind Melon’s “Change.” think that Having not given much thought to his song choice or stereo volume, what happened the art next surprised the artist, screen printer and graphic designer at Axiom551. that you’re People at the pump in front of him be- making is gan singing; others next to them hummed along. When Richert went inside, the cash- going to ier added her voice to the chorus. PHOTO PROVIDED/SHANNON HOON continue In what he called “one of those movie ABOVE: Filmmakers are creating a moments,” people who happened to be in documentary from hundreds of hours of film on, you the same place at the same time connected Shannon Hoon shot. This shot is from 1993. Making it in Miami know, past over one of the town’s favorite stars and PHOTO PROVIDED/ bands. TOP: Blind Melon now performs with lead Former Purdue, Mavs pitcher the Later on, Richert crystallized the expe- singer Travis Warren (second from left). gets early Christmas present rience in a Facebook post that garnered 79 lifespan of likes and four comments. It’s the same from the Marlins. Sports, 1D a record post that planted an idea in his friend Nate members — Christopher Thorn, Rogers Pientok’s mind. Stevens, Brad Smith and Glen Graham (of) a What if Blind Melon played on the ma- — will perform with singer Travis War- jor concert night that is New Year’s Eve?, ren, who joined the band in 2006. couple the co-owner at Lafayette Theater Twenty years after the death of La- years,” thought. fayette icon Shannon Hoon, interest in In September, the venue announced him and Blind Melon remains strong fire CHRISTOPHER that Blind Melon would play two shows on THORN, guitarist Dec. 31and Jan. 1. Four of the five original See BLIND MELON, Page 4A 1,200 acres scrorched, scenic highway shut down for hours. USA TODAY, 1B

INDEX Classified 1E Style 1C Opinions 10A Obituaries 10C Sports 1D Weather 12C $2.00 RETAIL

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PHOTOS BY JOHN TERHUNE/JOURNAL & COURIER Nel Hoon displays the jacket worn by her late son, Shannon Hoon, when he was in the local band Styff Kytten.

IF YOU GO BLIND MELON » What: Blind Melon. With Miller on Continued from Page 1A Thursday and SpaceWords on Friday. » When: 8:45 p.m. Thursday and Friday with a bustling fan base. Stories about » Where: Lafayette Theater, 600 Main the former lead singer are swapped St. around a town where many knew him or » Cost: $50 Thursday, $30 Friday. $70 know someone who did. both nights Multiple online forums and social media pages unite fans nationally and in- THE DOCUMENTARY ternationally. Contributors post their memories, photos of Hoon, concert up- Those close to Shannon Hoon knew he dates, snippets of their own daily lives filmed just about everything during the and band members’ current projects. last five years of his life. He ended up They also discuss the Vigil — the grave- with more than 200 hours of footage side event that Nel Hoon led for 20 years that became a type of visual diary, said at Dayton Cemetery to celebrate her photographer and filmmaker Danny son’s life and music. The video camera that Shannon Hoon used to document the last few years of his life. Clinch. No one can pinpoint exactly what Now, Clinch said he and a team are about Blind Melon — a band with a rela- putting together a documentary told tively small output that achieved a high which liked what they heard. around similar descriptions. With his from Hoon’s point of view, hoping to level of fame decades ago — has stuck The group signed with Capitol Rec- captivating on-stage persona came a show the singer’s intelligence and to with fans and catches on with new listen- ords, but it took some time to hit it big. sense that he sympathized with listeners. open the door for people to rediscover ers. Finally, “” exploded, its iconic YouTube clips of Blind Melon’s shows Blind Melon’s music. Clinch called the The best fans and the musicians can bee girl dominating MTV, display an energetic Hoon kicking, singer a smart filmmaker who told do is point to an amalgamation of pieces: and the 1992 self-titled went qua- jumping and dancing. Prato, who saw the good stories. Hoon recorded current Shannon Hoon’s lasting charisma and re- druple platinum. band live about five times, said Hoon events, including the O.J. Simpson trial latability, his tragic death, a sound that After touring intensely, Blind Melon gave off an unpredictable vibe — nothing and the attack of figure skater Nancy many find ahead of its time, introspec- settled down to write second album seemed preplanned as the singer let the Kerrigan, he said. tive lyrics and a loyal core fan base. “Soup,” which was released in 1995. The music dictate his body movements. Other shots include Hoon’s bandmates, album pivoted from the free-flowing, His distinctive tenor voice and raw, songwriting and life on the road. These +++ springy “No Rain” vibe into a darker, pure delivery of lyrics also captivated returning ideas helped dictate the Hoon made a mark on those who knew more challenging sound for listeners. fans. documentary’s organization. him early. Growing up in Greater La- Thorn said the focus was on creating “(There are) a few different flavors of “What happens is themes start to show fayette, his personality stood out. Guitar- lasting art that was different from the hit Shannon Hoon, you know,” said Sean Pat- themselves ... you could tell how his ist Michael Kelsey remembers being in- song. But album sales were less than ex- rick MacDonald, a fan who lives in Mari- brain was working, why he was filming trigued by him when the two attended pected, and a now-famous review in Roll- etta, Georgia, and owns a company that certain things, what story he was trying Wainwright Junior High School. ing Stone poured cold water over the rec- manufactures simulation equipment. to tell,” Clinch said. “I remember when I was in junior ord. “There was the angry version; there was “I don’t know how much I am on there high having the feeling that this is a per- Throughout the tours and recording the sweet and melodic version. And because he was so sneaky about film- son who’s probably not going to live long sessions, the musicians — especially there’s just a lot of things in between ing,” said Shannon Hoon’s mother, Nel ... because he burned so brightly on the Shannon — indulged in drugs, according there. I don’t know — I think it’s the pow- Hoon. way he lived life,” Kelsey said. “That’s to “A Devil on One Shoulder and an An- er that he had and the command of the A Kickstarter campaign earlier this year how he lived, you know, which is proba- gel on the Other: The Story of Shannon song.” raised more than $100,000 toward the bly the equivalent of like four lifetimes Hoon and Blind Melon” by Greg Prato. Prato, a music journalist and book au- project. While co-director Colleen for the rest of us.” The singer had started using recreation- thor, recounts an instance in 1993 at the Hennessy said no release date is set, a Hoon’s competitive streak and natu- ally in Lafayette, but his addiction grew, now-defunct Sparks in Deer Park, New rough cut will be done around the end ral talent helped shape him into a star and he kept relapsing into the habit even York, where people were crowd surfing of this year. Fans can keep up with the athlete at McCutcheon High School. after getting help. in a packed venue, knocking audience documentary’s progress by following “If he was going to do something, he On Oct. 21, 1995, only a few months af- members in the head. Hoon asked them Shannon Hoon Film on Facebook. did it completely,” Nel Hoon said, citing a ter the birth of his daughter, Nico, with to stop, and when they didn’t, he punched story about her son winning a wrestling girlfriend Lisa Crouse, Hoon died at age a surfer in the face who had gotten on ONLINE match with a broken ankle. 28 after overdosing on cocaine. He was stage, Prato said. After high school, he joined up with found on Blind Melon’s tour bus in New “Maybe that was his way of showing Click on this story at jconline.com Kelsey and others to start Styff Kytten, Orleans. that there’s really no difference between for a photo gallery of Shannon which Kelsey called a party band that The four remaining musicians me on the stage and also you guys in the Hoon and a retrospective collection of performed mostly cover songs. Shannon searched for a replacement, but no one audience, that we’re all together as one,”7 Journal & Courier coverage of his Hoon then put together demo tapes, Kel- felt right. said Prato, who personally met Hoon death. sey said, and headed to to “At that time, I think I just really when the singer let him and some friends begin a career as a singer in 1990. Nel needed a break from Blind Melon,” a few months shy of age 21 into a 21-plus Hoon said he refused to return until he Thorn said. “I just wasn’t willing to con- show in 1993 at Toad’s Place in New was signed to a label. tinue without Shannon.” Haven, Connecticut. Shannon Hoon ended up meeting Ste- The band members parted ways in After becoming friends with and pho- vens and Smith in LA, and they built 1999. tographing the band for a few years, Blind Melon from there, asking Thorn Danny Clinch told Hoon he played the +++ and Graham to join. Hoon’s vocals on harmonica, and the singer immediately Guns N’ Roses’ “Don’t Cry” with La- Ask enough fans — those who saw insisted Clinch perform on stage with fayette native and friend Shannon Hoon live and those who didn’t helped put Blind Melon in front of labels, — and their impressions coalesce See BLIND MELON, Page 5A www.jconline.com • Journal & Courier Sunday, December 27, 2015 5A

1 contributes to a 2 ⁄2-star rating. BLIND MELON The first time Richert heard the “For My Friends” track, he said he thought it Continued from Page 4A was an early song by the band because it gave him the same feeling as when he them. When Clinch said he didn’t play in heard Hoon. He was shocked when a front of many people, just maybe at a friend pointed out it was from the 2008 barbecue once, Hoon countered that the album. show was just one big barbecue. The per- “The spirit of that album, I feel like, is formance prompted Clinch to practice very similar to something that Blind more since he knew Blind Melon would Melon would’ve done with Shannon,” keep asking him to play. He now per- Richert said. forms with several bands, including his MacDonald said he finds the band’s own, the Tangiers Band. latest music more evolved, mature, pol- “It’s one of the most joyful things that ished and less risky than its older work. happens for me these days,” Clinch said. Although he never saw Blind Melon with “I don’t think he had any idea of how Hoon, he said a 2008 show with Warren at many people he was going to be touching the Masquerade in Atlanta was as “elec- in his life,” Prato said. tric and energetic” as he expected. Fans and band members say Hoon’s +++ spirit lives on in performances. Hoon’s voice wove through a tapestry “When people ask me how many of sound that managed to stand out in an members are in Blind Melon, I kind of era comprising bands that included usually refer to six people even though Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Sound- one of them’s not with us anymore,” Con- garden, and Primus. way said. Roots in 1970s rock, lyrics that felt Now that the musicians have been real and recordings that reflected rough- playing together for some time with War- er-edged, less-produced-sounding live ren, Prato and Richert said they would be shows were common denominators for interested to hear new material. the groups, Prato said. But each added its As of right now, the musicians say own spin, he said. For Blind Melon, that they don’t have immediate plans for a meant a jam band feel that wound new album. With members juggling sev- around doses of Southern rock, , eral projects and careers between them, and retro elements, among others. Warren and Thorn said they want to The instrumentalists brought a fi- make another record but have yet to nesse to their compositions that dodged firmly plan one out. expectations. Instead of hovering +++ around basic bar chords, Warren said, Blind Melon infused its sound with Like so many entities in the digital something that felt more melodic. Thorn age, the Blind Melon culture manifests said each band member contributed to JOHN TERHUNE/JOURNAL & COURIER itself everywhere. In throwback photos, songwriting. A poster of magazine cover of Nov. 11, 1993, featuring the band Blind Melon. images of the famous cov- “(Stevens and Thorn) had a very The poster is signed by all the members of Blind Melon. er, quotes and videos. In interviews bro- unique way of weaving their guitar lines ken apart on social media and spread out together. It was almost like jazz a little across the Internet. In album covers and bit,” said Prato, who also highlighted ticket stubs that live around the world. Graham’s drumming skills. In the pieces of Blind Melon lies fans’ “I always say that they’re not really desire for more from a band and singer lead players and they’re not really that had become such a part of their rhythm players — it’s like rhythmic lives. In this vein, Conway said he sought leads,” said Warren, who cited Smith’s out live recordings 10 years after Hoon’s prowess on bass. death, when more people began piling The group’s chemistry is so tight, he their personal collections online. said, that removing even one part ren- “They only had three , and I ders the songs difficult to perform. desperately wanted to hear more,” Con- Within Blind Melon’s overall sound way said. lies stepping stones of growth. “Soup” What pulls fans and so many of these lacked some of the pop quality of the elements together is a physical center of first album, MacDonald said. Many have gravity. It’s a place where rumors still found it more introspective than “Blind circulate about a guy who so many peo- Melon.” ple knew or claimed to be related to. “There’s a mindset some musicians Conway, who compiles archive con- get into when they want to please their tent for blindmelonarticles.com, took a fans — they sort of want to stay in the trip here in 2014 and heard stories from box, and (Blind Melon) didn’t have a box Nel Hoon, visited Shannon Hoon’s when they first came out,” MacDonald schools and met his friends. The experi- said. “So they just did whatever they ence, he said, gave him infinitely better wanted to do, and ‘Soup’ was maybe a lit- context for understanding the singer. tle bit more of that.” Thomas, the Oakland High School ju- Fans still talk about the first album, nior, has definitely heard the tales that and many have plucked favorite tracks make their way around town. So has from “Nico,” which the band released in PHOTO PROVIDED/DANNY CLINCH PHOTOGRAPHY Richert. For him, attending the Vigil and 1996 after Hoon’s death. “Soup,” howev- Travis Warren is now the lead singer with Blind Melon. meeting people who knew Hoon has been er, has emerged as a dark horse a way to find out which are true, he said. candidate when fans discuss the songs The event adds insight and a personal el- they return to. The album has recently sic and a new lead singer. the old songs — there’s no doubt about ement to the music and singer Richert jumped into retrospective best-of and The latter layer of Blind Melon’s iden- that,” Conway said. “But it also makes it loves. underrated lists from the from tity began when it re-formed with War- seem like a little bit more legitimate of a Unhappy with national coverage of Metro Weekly, Prato’s piece in Alterna- ren. When the musicians parted ways in band if they’re interested in moving for- Hoon’s death, Nel Hoon said she said tive Nation, and Vinyl and Cocktails. Its 1999, coming back together wasn’t part ward and creating new music.” didn’t want her son’s name forgotten. reputation seems to be moving from ob- of the plan, Thorn said. As a performer and writer, Warren From 1996 on, the Vigil was an annual scure second album to initially misun- Warren said he had been hooked on said he draws from Hoon, John Prine and staple at Dayton Cemetery in Dayton. derstood snapshot of a maturing sound. the group since the early 1990s, when he Townes Van Zandt, among others. He The event became a reason for people Listeners found plenty to unpack in bought and listened to one of its tapes on doesn’t try to channel Hoon but said he from all over the world to congregate on Blind Melon’s lyrics as well. a car trip with his grandmother. Later, knows the singer’s influence comes the weekend closest to Shannon Hoon’s “Shannon’s lyrics were incredible and while a member of Rain Fur Rent, he through. Sept. 26 birthday. not literal, so I think you could spend ended up meeting Thorn and Smith Hugging, singing and a general feel- +++ years trying to wonder what he really through a mutual contact. As the two ing of camaraderie prevailed, said Con- meant,” Thorn said. worked on playing, producing and re- The mantle of performing in the place way, who was happy to finally meet “His messages and everything are cording a record with Warren, Smith told of an iconic lead singer has its burdens. friends and fans with whom he had con- just timeless,” Richert said. “I can come Thorn that Warren could sing Blind Mel- Warren has had to ease into the psyche of nected via Facebook. This year, Thorn back to (his lyrics) years later and still be on songs in his sleep. Blind Melon fans, a process he said in- jammed by the gravesite. Vigil-goers ex- 1 inspired by the same 3 ⁄2-minute song “Travis was the first person that the volves them getting to know his music changed stories and gifts, and Nel Hoon that I heard the first time when I was 16.” songs sounded like they were being de- credentials and style. He understands gave away her handmade jewelry. Kelsey said some attend his shows be- livered how they should be delivered,” their passion, saying he wouldn’t see Sharing her son’s memory with fans cause they know he was Hoon’s friend. Thorn said. Tool live without singer Maynard James and her own faith in God have played a The waves of admiration don’t seem to So one day at a barbecue, they asked Keenan. large part in keeping her going, Hoon die out with new generations. Warren to sing for Blind Melon. The “Everybody would love to see Shan- said. “I hear the same kind of devotion, but band came back together in 2006 and, non instead of me, and I get that. I totally “I don’t think I would even be here if I I also walk away going, ‘Wait a minute, per the new lead singer’s request, began understand that, and I would, too,” War- hadn’t had the Vigil,” she said. they’re like 20,’ ” Kelsey laughed. putting together a new record. Although ren said. Hoon said she struggled after this Noah Thomas, a junior at Oakland he was thrilled, Warren said he didn’t Although the fear was there, he said past Vigil, which she announced would High School, said Blind Melon’s sense of want to be solely a nostalgic act. he loved the challenge and that having be the last one she would organize, be- purpose and Hoon’s way of speaking his A 2007 tour and the 2008 album “For Nel Hoon’s blessing meant a great deal to cause the closure was difficult. She said mind are reasons he listens. He’s also My Friends” added a new dimension to him. heading up the event proved stressful fascinated with the achievements of Blind Melon — a progression of sound “(Travis) is sincere, he’s good, he’s and tiring and that she was indebted to someone who grew up in the same town. rooted in a 1990s tapestry that included worked hard,” Hoon said. all who had helped her. Plans are to put Thomas’ mother introduced him to the what Warren wrote along with more life Fans have displayed different levels the Vigil’s energy toward Melonfest in band, and he has picked up her taste for experiences, Thorn said. Now that band of adjustment to Warren that center on Grayson, Kentucky, she said. other 1990s groups like Nine Inch Nails, members have families, new projects acceptance, rejection and shades in be- This week, the shows will create a he said. and careers, they possess an evolved tween. Some expressions about the new space for the reconnection that band “It’s the ultimate as an artist to think sense of how to play and write songs, he lead singer have been vitriolic enough members and listeners crave. that the art that you’re making is going to said. that he said he’s learned to not read any- MacDonald will get the chance to pay continue on, you know, past the lifespan “I mean, the four us, when we’re in a thing online. respects to Shannon Hoon’s grave. War- of a record (of) a couple years,” Thorn room, we sound like Blind Melon wheth- Opinions differ on “For My Friends” ren named off fans who have become said. er we like it or not,” Thorn said. as well. friends. Thorn called Lafayette the most Ryan Conway, a fan and graphic de- In a piece dated from 2010 on Sputnik special place the band can play, especial- +++ signer who lives in Denver, Colorado, Music, a reviewer wrote that Warren ly with Nel Hoon and Nico Hoon here. Who Blind Melon is now revolves said he thinks the group’s sound con- vacillates between his own sound and “For me, going out and playing those around a hybrid of its initial persona and tinues to stay within its wheelhouse. aiming for Hoon’s “vocal persona” for songs is my way of hanging out with a sound that has evolved with newer mu- “Blind Melon fans are there to hear much of the album — a combination that Shannon for the night,” Thorn said.