Biography

This trio from Boston, Massachusetts, USA was formed by Juliana Hatfield (b. 2 July 1967, Duxbury, Massachusetts, USA), John Strohm (guitar, vocals) and Freda Love (drums). As part of a succession of bands that emerged from a healthy rock scene in the Boston area in the late 80s/early 90s, Blake Babies were able to mature slowly, showing signs of a major breakthrough in early 1992. Their debut, Nicely Nicely, was released on the band's own Chewbud label, and the follow-up, the mini-album Slow Learners, on Billy Bragg's reactivated Utility label. Signed to the North Carolina Mammoth Records label, Earwig and Sunburn consolidated the praise garnered from the music press, often drawing comparisons with fellow Bostonians the Lemonheads. Hatfield would enjoy a celebrated romance with Evan Dando of the Lemonheads, while Strohm had also briefly been a member during their Creator sessions. The release of the EP Rosy Jack World, coupled with sell-out dates on a UK visit early in 1992, promised a bright future for the trio. However, Hatfield turned solo just as Sunburn began to attract rave reviews. On her departure Hatfield concluded: "When Blake Babies was happening it was really romantic to sleep on floors and not have any money. But when I look back on it, I can't believe some of the stuff we did." Strohm and Love, meanwhile, went on to form Antenna. The trio reunited in 2000 to record a new album, God Bless The Blake Babies.
DISCOGRAPHY: Nicely, Nicely (Chew-bud 1987)***, Slow Learners mini-album (Utility 1989)***, Earwig (Mammoth 1989)***, Sunburn (Mammoth 1990)***, God Bless The Blake Babies (Rounder 2001)***.
COMPILATIONS: Innocence And Experience (Mammoth 1993)***.

Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989 - 2004