Second Cup CafSecond Cup Café: Gin Blossoms

Alternative pop/rock band Gin Blossoms are back with their first studio album in 10 years.

The band visits Second Cup Café to sing songs from the new set, "Major Lodge Victory."

Gin Blossoms take their name from a caption on a photo of early 20th-century film comedian W.C. Fields. The text "W.C. Fields and Gin Blossoms" referred to the spidery veins on the oft-inebriated actor's bulbous nose.

Formed in Tempe, Ariz., Gin Blossoms made their debut as a trio on Christmas night in 1987.

They signed their first record deal in 1990, but making their debut album was no easy task. Unhappy with the results of their first recording sessions, the band scrapped most of the material. Instead, they released the EP "Up And Crumbling" and went out on tour.

The band was dealt another blow when founding member Doug Hopkins left the band due to problems with alcohol and depression.

Gin Blossoms went on to release their first full album, "New Miserable Experience," in 1992. Nine months later, the band had its first hit with the album "Hey Jealousy." The album took off and ended up selling 3 million copies in the United States alone.

The triumph was marred by the news of Hopkins' death by suicide in December 1993.

After a break from touring and recording, the band returned with its 1996 album "Congratulations I'm Sorry." The set spawned their hit singles "Follow You Down" and the Grammy-nominated "As Long As It Matters."

Gin Blossoms stayed together until 1997, when the band members decided to part and pursue separate projects.

After successful reunion concerts in 2000 and 2001 the band, minus drummer Phillip Rhodes, re-formed and went out on an 80-city concert tour.

They went back in the studio and recorded their new album, "Major Lodge Victory," which entered the Billboard Top Independent album chart at No. 10 on Aug. 26.