Ever blasted “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” on repeat and wondered what else Nine Days has been up to?
This one-hit wonder label doesn’t do them justice—their story is packed with twists, hidden gems, and eyebrow-raising trivia that’ll make you see them in a whole new light.
Here are 9 mind-blowing facts about Nine Days that even die-hard fans might have missed.
1. They Almost Had a Different Name (And It Was… Interesting)
Before settling on Nine Days, the band toyed with the name “17 Pine,” inspired by guitarist John Hampson’s childhood address.
Thankfully, they pivoted to Nine Days, a nod to the Beatles’ “Revolution 9” and the idea of rebirth—a fitting metaphor for their breakout success.
2. “Absolutely” Was Written in Just 15 Minutes
That iconic chorus you can’t get out of your head?
Frontman John Hampson scribbled it on a napkin during a lunch break while teaching high school English.
Talk about a lightning strike of inspiration!
3. They Turned Down *NSYNC (Yes, Really)
At the peak of boy-band mania, *NSYNC wanted to cover “Absolutely” for their album.
Nine Days declined, fearing it’d overshadow their rock cred.
Bold move—but would you trade JT’s vocals for Hampson’s rasp?
4. The Band’s Drummer Was a Last-Minute Swap
Original drummer Jeremy Dean left just before recording their smash album The Madding Crowd.
Enter Vincent Tattanelli, who learned the entire set in two weeks and nailed the sessions.
Talk about a clutch performance!
5. They Shared a Stage with *NSYNC Anyway
Irony alert: After rejecting the cover, Nine Days opened for *NSYNC on tour.
Cue thousands of screaming teens ignoring them—but hey, free exposure!
6. Their Follow-Up Album Was Shelved for 15 Years
After their label folded, 2002’s So Happily Unsatisfied collected dust until a fan-funded reissue in 2017.
Proof that good music never really dies—it just takes naps.
7. John Hampson Became a Novelist
Post-music, the frontman penned a coming-of-age novel, Special Education, drawing from his teaching days.
Who knew “Story of a Girl” guy had a whole other storytelling talent?
8. They Reunited—for a Cereal Jingle
In 2020, the band regrouped to write a quirky jingle for Magic Spoon cereal.
Because why not swap rockstar dreams for breakfast carbs?
9. They Still Tour… as Substitute Teachers
Hampson and bassist Nick Dimichino occasionally teach high school when not performing.
Imagine your algebra sub casually mentioning he’s a platinum-selling artist.
Nine Days’ journey is anything but predictable—from napkin lyrics to cereal gigs, they’ve kept it weird and wonderful.
Next time “Absolutely” comes on, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for the band behind the earworm.
Which fact shocked you the most? (And admit it: You’re humming the chorus now.)
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