Hootie & the Blowfish

Hootie & the Blowfish flipped the script on the conventional notion of college rock. During the 1980s, when the group cut their teeth along the Eastern Seaboard, college rock belonged to the arty rockers who resided at the left of the dial. Hootie's four members were raised on these sounds, showing a particular affection for R.E.M. and their jangle-pop heirs, but the band streamlined and straightened that chime, making straight-ahead music ideal for house parties, tailgates, and sports bars. Surprisingly, this formula turned Hootie & the Blowfish into superstars. Part of the r...