W.C. Fields.

One I wish I listened to long before I did for personal reasons. I'm sure their new stuff is terrible however. Also the last song on the album is completely terrible, just disregard it.

Hopkins had suffered from chronic depression since childhood and had been battling alcoholism for several years. However, in 1990, the Gin Blossoms were one of the hottest local bands in Tempe and the surrounding areas, and they signed a contract with A&M Records. He was also resistant to signing to a major label, feeling like its property, and reacted with stubbornness and more drinking. When the band recorded its debut album New Miserable Experience in February 1992, it was reported that Hopkins was unable to stand during his recording sessions. Faced with the prospect of firing Hopkins or being dropped by A&M, the band terminated Hopkins. Doused in aftershave and mouthwash to cover the effects of his days-long drinking binge, he was flown back to Arizona. He was replaced by Scott Johnson. As result, the band withheld $15,000 owed to Hopkins until he agreed to sign over half of his publishing royalties to his replacement, which he reluctantly agreed to do because of his dire financial situation. While New Miserable Experience did not make a strong debut, it went on to become a multi-platinum album.

As the Gin Blossoms experienced mounting success, performing songs he had written, Hopkins became increasingly despondent. Though he had always dreamed of having a gold record, when he received one for the song "Hey Jealousy", he hung it up for two weeks before taking it down and then destroying it. Nine days later, during an intake consultation in the detox unit of Phoenix's St. Luke's Hospital, Hopkins snuck out and bought a .38 caliber pistol. The next day December 4, 1993 Hopkins committed suicide. At his memorial service, Wilson recalls, a woman approached his former band members with a message from Hopkins upon his death: he was the one that had poured sugar in the gas tank of their tour van in 1992.