Formed by ex-members of the band Grovel, The Hillary Step was an emo/post-hardcore band from Kansas City, Missouri that was formed in 1998. The band consisted of three sole members, those being; Brad Hodgson on guitar and vocals, Brian Frisbie on bass, and Danny McConnaughhay on drums. (Both Brian and Brad were former members of the aforementioned band Grovel.) The band would quickly, and unfortunately dissolve in 2002 when Brad moved away to Texas. Though the band was around for about 4 years, there isn't a lot in the way of information regarding them, as the band never had their own website, and Urinine (the label they were on) never gave too much info on theirs. So be it, this band is pretty great regardless.
From their short run comes a wholly short output, with just one singular full-length CD; titled "The Second Time Means Nothing", released on Urinine Records in 1999. Urinine themselves is a pretty seldomly talked about label, but they had some great stuff back in the day, namely The Sunflower Conspiracy and The Capsules (both of whom were great shoegaze adjacent outfits). Now, though it's only one release, that's still pretty darn good, as a lot of bands seem to never be able to get to that point. (They did contribute two compilation tracks, however, but both are basically lost to the wind (at least as far as I could find)) That's okay though, as what is given here is mighty fantastic, and is a super underrated disc in the genre during this time period. At 9 tracks long, this disc is loaded with gorgeous and ripping post-hardcore (+ a dash of post-rock)- with incredible guitar work, vocal work that reminds me of Christopher Crisci of The Appleseed Cast (except this time I can actually tolerate it), and not to mention the drumming. It's a fantastic record, front to back, and one that many would fall for, no doubt. It's a shame there wasn't any more releases proceeding this, because this stuff is pretty remarkable. Definitely recommend checking it out.
From their short run comes a wholly short output, with just one singular full-length CD; titled "The Second Time Means Nothing", released on Urinine Records in 1999. Urinine themselves is a pretty seldomly talked about label, but they had some great stuff back in the day, namely The Sunflower Conspiracy and The Capsules (both of whom were great shoegaze adjacent outfits). Now, though it's only one release, that's still pretty darn good, as a lot of bands seem to never be able to get to that point. (They did contribute two compilation tracks, however, but both are basically lost to the wind (at least as far as I could find)) That's okay though, as what is given here is mighty fantastic, and is a super underrated disc in the genre during this time period. At 9 tracks long, this disc is loaded with gorgeous and ripping post-hardcore (+ a dash of post-rock)- with incredible guitar work, vocal work that reminds me of Christopher Crisci of The Appleseed Cast (except this time I can actually tolerate it), and not to mention the drumming. It's a fantastic record, front to back, and one that many would fall for, no doubt. It's a shame there wasn't any more releases proceeding this, because this stuff is pretty remarkable. Definitely recommend checking it out.
The Second Time Means Nothing
1. You And Me And This
2. No Good Reason
3. Damn The Luck
4. One Year And A Day
5. All Signs Gone
6. Our "We" Day
7. Refined, Regrouped & Reassured
8. Kimmie Joe
9. She Dreams Of Oceans
1. You And Me And This
2. No Good Reason
3. Damn The Luck
4. One Year And A Day
5. All Signs Gone
6. Our "We" Day
7. Refined, Regrouped & Reassured
8. Kimmie Joe
9. She Dreams Of Oceans
Following The Hillary Step, Brad Hodgson would form In The Pines, a fairly remarkable folk project that has seen modest popularity and some appraise. (Reminds me of Chris Simpson's Zookeeper in that sense) He would also form Biarchy with Mike Myers (No, obviously NOT Austin Powers), which was an abstract electronic/synth-pop project, though it has laid dormant for over a decade. Mike himself was a part/is a member of a plethora of different bands, like the slowcore outfit The String And Return, the emo/indie band Everest, and formerly of the awesome Season To Risk. Quite an accomplished musician, as is Brad!
See? Told you this one would be short too.
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