Honeysuckle Strange Awaits: Your Next 90s Rock Homework Assignment
Explore Howlin’ Maggie’s glam-infused 90s rock album ahead of our full deep dive podcast
Thanks to Keith Badje’s stellar suggestion, this week on Dig Me Out, we’re shining a light on a hidden gem that shimmered with a bit of glam and a lot of grit: Howlin’ Maggie’s Honeysuckle Strange! This soulful, swagger-filled slice of 90s alt-rock arrived in 1996, blending glam attitude, funk grooves, and raw emotional depth.
Led by the magnetic Happy Chichester, Howlin’ Maggie stood out with their genre-bending sound and undeniable charisma. Honeysuckle Strange is a rollercoaster ride of stomping rockers, introspective ballads, and funky earworms, all tied together with Chichester’s theatrical flair and poignant storytelling.
If you’ve never heard Howlin’ Maggie, think 70s glam meeting Midwestern alt-rock grit, with a touch of funk and soul for good measure.
Your Homework:
1️⃣ Spin Honeysuckle Strange—you’ll be humming “I’m a Slut” all day.
2️⃣ Revisit our interview with Happy Chichester for some unforgettable stories.
3️⃣ Tune into our next episode, where we’ll unpack why this album deserves more love.
Howlin' Maggie | History of the Band
Howlin’ Maggie sprang out of Columbus, Ohio’s tight-knit alternative rock scene in the early 90s, bringing a soulful twist to the gritty, funk-laden Midwest rock sound. At the helm was Harold “Happy” Chichester, already a local music hero from his days with Royal Crescent Mob, where punk, funk, and rock were all fair game. Alongside him were guitarist A…
#120: Interview with Happy Chichester of Howlin Maggie
Joining us for episode #120 is Happy Chichester, formerly of Howlin Maggie, who has just released his second solo album, Torchwood Loop. After spending almost a decade in legendary funk-rock band Royal Crescent Mob, Happy formed Howlin Maggie, who released their debut album Honeysuckle Strange in 1996. After a line-up change and follow-up release in 200…