Before Adam Duritz was in Counting Crows — and before he holed up with the Olsens (in a studio, pervs) — the dreadlocked singer was dread-less in a band called The Himalayans. Didn’t last long, though; Duritz’s Crows side-project got the green light from Geffen, and he left the Himalayans behind. But he’s emotional about it. Naturally. He writes:
But it was really hard to leave because they were the heart and the soul and the core and the center of the greatest musical period of my life up until that point. I would eventually have other moments, and my life in music has been amazing and incredibly rewarding, but leaving that band was the hardest decision I ever had to make.
The Himalayans (with Marty Jones on bass — “yes, THAT Jones”), which Duritz credits for “the sound that made the sound,” never released their only album She’s Like The Weather. But Adam’s fixing all that with a remastered version, out this week on his label Tyrannosaurus Records. Here’s a sample of their original version of “Round Here.” Fairly rocking, and maybe even better than the pussy version.
The Himalayans – “Round Here” (Real)
Look, you may not give a shit (even though you totally bought August And Everything After), but this post just made this guy’s life.
You Might Also Like
 Obama Seeks Endorsements From Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend? |
 |
 |
that guy put a gun in his mouth about 5 seconds after this post went up.
didn’t Adam Duritz bang those chicks from friends? right on!
And Chris Carraba’s life.
It’s sad that no one respects Counting Crows. Amazing musicians, great song writing and lyrics…yeah, a couple bad decisions (big yellow taxi? ugh). But they’re a great band that plays great rootsy rock n roll. What else do you need?
Give ‘em a break already.
I have the whiniest voice in music.
THERE IS NO WAY YOU HAVE A WHINEY VOICE! I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HEAR THIS A LOT BUT YOU ARE SERIOUSLY MY FAVORITE BAND OF ALL TIME. THOUGH I’M NOT TOO SURE I’D GET YOU PICTURE TATTOOED ON ME I’D PROBABLY GET A QUOTE FROM ONE OF YOUR SONGS. I MET YOU AT THE GROVE IN LA WHEN YOU GUYS DID THE APPLE STORE PROMOTION. BEST CONCERT! DON’T EVER STOP. YOUR LOYAL FAN. DEANNA S
you’ll take any chance you get to post the photo huh?
gay edge
oh man chris batton! new brunswick!
i agree with you though. i love the counting crows on their first three albums. i havent really listened to them since but whenever have you seen me lately comes on i get kinda emotional.
I’m going to get flamed for this, but I quite like a majority of their second record. Yeah, its not changing the world for the better, but for melodic whine rock, its about as good as it gets. And every once in a while there’s nothing wrong with a little melodic whine rock.
I hope that dude just got markered, and didn’t get a full-on tattoo… Otherwise, that’s a whole lotta healing for nothing right there.
“Accidentally In Love”, my eye.
DwD
Wow, sounds like a mashup with “Fascination Street.” I’m not sure how I feel about this.
Okay, I’m sure now: bad.
you got that straight lk!
I’d always suspected that T Bone Burnett was due all the credit for turning a couple of turds into gold (or platinum, as it were) on August and Everything After.
That Himalayans track proved it.
> you’ll take any chance you get to post
> the photo huh?
Yes!
Also, I liked Recovering The Satellites.
Johnny Marr is rolling over in his grave. What? You say he’s not dead? I beg to differ, as I listened to the Modest Mouse record, and he’s become dead to me.
> Also, I liked Recovering The Satellites.
So did I! Scott we should hang out sometime. You seem cool.
I want to find where this guy lives and move there so I can wake up and beat the living shit out of him every day. Well, someone has to.
i used to be obsessed with Counting Crows. i listened to the constantly for a year straight basically, so i don’t think it’s humanly possible for me to listen to them anymore. they have my respect though.
Counting Crows are a phenomenal band that are really unappreciated. Yes, like the poster said above, theyv’e done some cheesy things, but if you look past that and really listen to their albums, they’ve yet to put out an album that isn’t great (while most are spectacular.)
I pre-ordered this last month and can’t wait for it to arrive. It will be a huge upgrade from the bootleg cassette copy I have of it.
Ooohhhhh man.. what a BAD idea for a tattoo…
I think “This Desert Life” is rather indie-friendly, what being produced by Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery.
oh, jeez, could that guy please get to a gym? He has the back of a 4 year old.
I stood in line behind Adam Duritz at Longs Drugstore last year. Not surprisingly, he’s just as blah in person as he sounds on his records.
i didn’t think vanila ice was THAT big a fan!?!?
I crack up when I see that photo every single time. Easiest laugh ever.
That version of the song is totally balls. It sounds like Staind’s Mud Shovel. I can’t say I was ever a big fan of this band, but I always did like Round Here. This nu-metal version is genuinely terrible.
Ack! Adam Duritz makes me want to vomit raisins through my nose.
Counting Crows writes some of the best music next to Kings X. The Himalayans were the start to the Counting Crows Sound. When I listen to the CD of there music. While it’s not Counting Crows. It has a simular feel. I Love the original version of Round Here. I actually like it better. To Think all this time Round Here was a cover of another bands song. (kind of) But August and Everything After is still there best CD to date.
I’d love to see Adam get back with the Himalayans someday and cover some C. Crows tunes in there style. The irony would be that they share the same lead singer.