05/28/2025
An important update from the Hillstomp desk . After 25 years , the band is hanging it up. They have a dozen shows booked through September which will serve as a farewell tour. If this band is on your bucket list, now is the time.
Hillstomp is retiring!
Final Eugene Show, this Saturday, Trout Lake Hall Friday!
All good things…
Friends, fans, family and everyone in between. First, the business end of this letter. Because, the rest will probably get long:
Hillstomp will be going on indefinite hiatus beginning this fall. We have 12 or 13 shows booked through Sept and we’ll play all of those. So, if you see us coming to you soon, just know that it will probably be the last time. (That’s May 31st for you, EUGENE!)
We are currently deciding where to play a couple farewell shows, probably in Oct. Portland for sure and probably somewhere in Washington. While this is not officially “never again” that is likely. At the very least, it would be a few years.
We are parting ways 100% amicably. 25 years in a van together, there was some s**t that wasn’t amicable.
But this is.
There are soooo many emotions and about as many reasons…of every kind. But, despite the personal, musical, creative, financial and physical challenges this life poses, this is mostly about my family. Two young kids at home (one who is special needs) and me traveling to play shows all the time just doesn’t work anymore. I’m the only person in my family for whom it (sometimes) makes life easier. And that’s not fair. They need more from me…and I want more of them. So that’s it then. If you want to skip the long rambling bit where I tell you all how much I love you, then scroll to the bottom for a quick word from Henry.
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God damn though. 25 years, just me (john) and Henry. Occasionally a friend or two on a couple songs. A couple tours with our dear friends McDougall or Howaaaad in the van. Some of the best weeks of my life, spent in the Bay Area, stationed at my childhood friend Dave’s house, plotting world domination and playing anywhere within a few hrs that would have us. There weren’t many at first. One day, after being chased away from 3 busking spots, a tree in Golden Gate park and a passing bigshot radio personality were the only people who would listen. Other than that though, just me and Henry… and you.
We’ve been so many places and seen and heard so many incredible things.
But, the sights and sounds I will really, truly treasure all came from you. Thousands and thousands of happy faces and joyous shouts. Stomps, claps and hollers. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be a creator of that much joy and to be told so by the people we touched. So many people along the way who shared with me how much we meant to them:
The father of the special needs kid whose favorite thing in the world was to downhill ski in his bright orange vest with Hillstomp blasting in headphones. I printed that email and showed it to my mom. She showed it to everyone she knew. I can’t fu***ng believe I lost that email.
The woman who told me how a mutual love of Hillstomp was the seed that finally grew into a relationship with her stepdad.
The guy who came to see us after his granddad’s funeral, because that’s what they loved doing together and he really needed to come to Hillstomp Church that day.
The countless people who talked to us about Hillstomp helping them through a divorce, or a death, or an illness.
The fans who borrowed logos to make onsies for their kids who are now in college. The people who met at Hillstomp shows and then hired us for their weddings. I could go on all day. I already have.
But yeah…y’all are what I’m truly grateful for. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives for all these years. I will miss seeing you more than you could know. Please be good to each other out there.
❤️ Lord Johnny Buckets, Bucket and Can Champion of the World
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All good things must come to an end. Let’s both mourn and celebrate what was, while at the same time getting ready, and excited for what can and will be.
There is so much love and gratitude to be spread so far and so wide that trying to name names would be futile.
We’ll certainly be giving it our all this summer and early fall. Don’t miss it.
I’ll just end this as I have done for 25 years.
Peace and Love
(More from me later, in
more ways than one)
Henry Hill Kammerer
