New Supergroup forms by players from R.E.M. Black Crowes and Hootie too

Their debut single “My Cologne” drops October 31, leading into a fall tour and new album.

Darius Rucker, the voice behind Hootie & the Blowfish, is teaming up with R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills and former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman to form a brand-new supergroup called Howl Owl Howl. The trio has announced a short November tour, hitting cities including Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, New York, and wrapping in Athens, Georgia, the hometown of R.E.M.

The collaboration started back in 2019, when Gorman invited Mills and Rucker to perform at a benefit concert in Nashville. The chemistry was instant, and by 2021, the three began working on their debut album. Their first single, “My Cologne,” is set to drop on October 31, and fans can expect a mix of folk-infused rock, introspective ballads, and up-tempo tracks designed to showcase the members’ talents.

Each member brings decades of musical history. Darius Rucker first rose to fame with Hootie & the Blowfish, delivering hits like “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry,” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” After the band’s heyday, he built a successful solo career in country music, earning multiple number-one singles and a Grammy Award.

Mike Mills spent more than three decades with R.E.M., one of alternative rock’s defining bands. He played on iconic albums including Out of Time and Automatic for the People, and helped craft hits like “Losing My Religion,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Man on the Moon.” Mills’ melodic bass lines and harmonies were central to the band’s sound.

Steve Gorman made his name as the drummer for the Black Crowes, contributing to the band’s southern rock anthems like “She Talks to Angels,” “Remedy,” and “Hard to Handle.” Known for his driving beats and improvisational skill, Gorman helped shape the Black Crowes’ energetic live shows.

Howl Owl Howl promises to combine all of those strengths—Rucker’s powerful vocals, Mills’ melodic bass, and Gorman’s rhythmic expertise—into something entirely new. While fans will no doubt hear echoes of past hits, the group is focused on original material that highlights their creative synergy.

The band has described the project as freeing and collaborative, a chance to make music without the pressures of major labels or commercial expectations. Gorman called it a “musical homecoming,” combining years of experience with the freedom to experiment.

Tickets for the tour have been selling quickly, and fans are excited to hear classic hits reimagined alongside new Howl Owl Howl tracks. With the debut album coming later this fall and “My Cologne” dropping at Halloween, the supergroup is already generating significant buzz in the rock and alternative music communities.

For fans of Hootie & the Blowfish, R.E.M., or the Black Crowes, Howl Owl Howl offers a rare chance to see three legendary musicians share the stage, blending decades of experience and style into a fresh and exciting sound. This supergroup is poised to make a big splash this fall, both in the studio and on tour.

Sources:

• JamBase
• Consequence
• Pollstar