Nine Days Celebrating 25 Years of "The Madding Crowd" and the Legacy of “Absolutely

(Story of a Girl)”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Madding Crowd, the breakthrough album by Nine

Days that gave the world the unforgettable anthem, “Absolutely (Story of a Girl).” Since its

release in 2000, the record has stood as a cornerstone of late 90s/early 2000s pop-rock,

cementing the band’s place in music history. With over 150 million streams on Spotify and a

recent RIAA double-platinum certification for “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” Nine Days is

reflecting on their legacy while looking ahead to an exciting new chapter.

Formed on Long Island, New York, Nine Days was built on the creative partnership of John

Hampson and Brian Desveaux. Combining heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies, the band

quickly rose through the ranks of the local music scene, gaining national attention with the

release of The Madding Crowd. Anchored by the infectious charm of “Absolutely (Story of a

Girl),” the album resonated with listeners worldwide, blending earnest storytelling with the

buoyant energy of the era.

“Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” has remained a cultural touchstone, recently finding new life in the

Academy Award-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once. The song’s chorus was re

written and reimagined by Hampson exclusively for the film in several unique variations,

including a 90s-style ballad, appearing three times throughout its runtime. This creative

integration underscored the timelessness of the track and introduced it to a new generation of

fans.

Last year served as a relaunch for Nine Days, featuring performances on two back-to-back Creed

reunion ”Summer of ‘99” cruises, festival appearances, and John Hampson’s solo acoustic shows

opening for The Smithereens. The band is excited to continue connecting with audiences who

know them for their iconic single while showcasing the depth of their catalog. “After all these

years, it is still a joy and a thrill to go out on stage and play our songs,” Hampson reflected.

“We’re well aware of the ‘one-hit wonder’ tag, and that’s fine if it gets us in the door. After that,

people realize we have quite a few more great songs and that we’re pretty damn good.”

In 2024, John and Brian, along with founding members Nick Dimichino and Jeremy Dean,

officially welcomed drummer John Miceli as a permanent member of the band. “We’ve all

known John forever. He’s played on hundreds of albums and been a touring drummer for over 25

years,” said Hampson. “He’s played shows with us off and on for the past eight years, and it was

just time to make it official. His energy has brought new excitement to the band.”

As Nine Days celebrates the enduring impact of The Madding Crowd and the song that started it

all, they remain committed to creating new memories with fans, both old and new. With a legacy

spanning 25 years, their music continues to inspire, proving that great songs stand the test of

time.

https://ninedaysband.com/