Husker Du : Classic or Dud, Search and Destroy.

anyway

search: New Day Rising + Candy Apple Grey Destroy: Nova MOb

I'll agree that Sugar were the better band, though they didn't exactly blaze the trails that Husker Du did. Better rhythm section, more focused attack, etc. Some of David Barbe's songs are really good, but he's no Grant Hart, is he?

search: Metal Circus, "Pink Turns to Blue", "Eight Miles High", "Gir Who Lives On Heaven Hill", "Eiffel Tower High" (their greatest song, I think)

destroy: Sugar (way booooooooringgggggg)

There were so many great bands that husker du inspired- Pixies (who taught a certain K. Cobain about songwriting), afghan whigs, Royal trux, and that's to name a few.

In their time they made intense, emotional, angry guitar rock. They had honesty and integrity. MBV took a lot from them (weren't they the British version of the Du). Of course, Bob Mould would follow with Sugar, whose Copper Blue was in part influenced by Loveless.

Right now, with Fushitsusha in hibernation (they have not found a replacement for theitr drummer) we could really do with something like husker du.

Search "Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely" and "She Floated Away", Destroy "Crystal". I knid of like The Baby Song too.... (I see my tatses obvious run counter to nearly everyone else round here).

Definate Classic though - even with the knitting needle production.

Search: most of New Day Rising and Metal Circus, "Chartered Trips", "Pink Turns to Blue", "Turn On the News" Destroy: roughly two-thirds of the catalogue -- a best-of would be nice here because none of the albums are an unassailable listen

I find it really really difficult to work out why I like some American guitar rock a lot and some so little.

I'm interested at the number of dud votes here, though. My concerns about the forum are slightly allayed ;)

if you people really hate the band's production, pick up the live lp "the living end" - makes the "warehouse" stuff much less tame and actually sounds *good* (gosh...)

Then all through the nineties I never listened to any of their records. A couple of months ago, I decided to put on New Day Rising. And I was left feeling ... well, nothing. If anything, it sounded like the Mother of All Emo Records, which would of course be a bad thing.

Funny how a decade can change one's perceptions so greatly.

Anyway, I heard "Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely" on the radio today for the first time in a long time and it sounded like the Foo Fighters! (Except for the fact that it was much more well written, of course!)

I also really like reading Julio's early posts.

Woah. That is almost exactly the list I'd post, 'cept I'd add in "Books About UFOs" 'cuz it's sweet.

I don't like Zen Arcade that much as an album. I love some of the tracks on it, but I'd be way more likely to listen to New Day Rising all the way through.

Fucking classic, even now. The only album that's not up to scratch is Candy Apple Grey.

"Brick on your head, 'cause you're a fuckhead" to the naysayers.

It occurs to me now Warehouse is the one, that was the name of only album of Husker Du I had. It was about 60% enjoyable as I recall.

The singles were always good, don't get me wrong...Eight Miles High was great too. I heard their version of that before anyone else's, actually. I don't feel cheated by that at all.

That was the Hated's theory, anyway...

Incidentally, listening to DNA and sirone late last year made me realize how the bass could work and what a blind spot that was for me even though those aren't exactly rock. I haven't heard 'zen arcade' in ages so i should revisit this.

(thanks sundar, that must've been one of my v first posts on ilm though for better or worse I could never use a word like 'quality' or 'integrity' again nor 'influence' or 'emotion' without explaining it)

(Did I just say that?)

Also, Greg Norton, being the most underrated member of the band, is such a great bassist. I walk around most days with a loop of "Statues" running on repeat in my brain.

Any coincidence that this thread has been revived just after that special sometime in April when we add another hour?

Sugar's Copper Blue is better than the last Husker records, though, whoever said that was OTM.

Search: side one of New Day Rising, played in the sequence it was released

Destroy: "Reoccurring dreams", "The Baby Song", about half of Warehouse: Songs & Stories.

So here's a question that I've had for twenty years:

Why is it that on the inside of Zen Arcade it says "All songs written by whoever sings it except for "Someday" that Grant wrote"?

Didn't Grant also sing it, so it would still fall under "song written by singer" rule?

Ah, I see it's the only song with lyrics on the album that has two songwriters. Still, Grant Hart sang a song that he wrote.

ahem, Bob Mould was a writer for WCW, not WWF.

and, classic - new day rising (the song). fucking great.

Classic. Nothing beats the first side/half of New Day Rising.

Classic. Those SST records are timeless

They could at least have given Greg one of these weird credits like "Yoko: Wind" to beef up his instruments line.

Oops, wrong thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdFryHOAmlQ

Would love to see a copy of the insert from Land Speed record. It had a list of bands that people should check out. It has always stuck in my head that there was a band listed called the Maggot Brains listed which had me wondering about the array of influences on original US punk bands, though it could have just sounded like a good name and only have distant connection to the Funkadelic lp.

I love the band just as they're heading into the psychedelic stuff so Zen Arcade & New Day Rising and the live in London dvd which has me as a skinny 17 year old thrashing about. Probably also Metal Circus though I haven't heard it in ages. & definitely live sets from late 83- around 86.

I also love the Bob Mould '89 tour stuff that was recorded with Tony Maimone and Anton Fier as a rhythm section. Think there may have been a 2nd guitarist for some of that too.
Not sure what exactly is in circulation but do really like it.

The one time I saw Sugar I was so bored I started reading the book that was in my pocket.

There's a how to buy the Huskers in the new Brian Jones cover Mojo as I discovered minutes after my last posting. Thought there must be an edition due so looked it up and lo and behold.

with money?

New day rising

there was an ancient thread specifically for that:

Okay, so I guess Robert Palmer used to cover Husker Du's "New Day Rising" in concert! Does anyone have an mp3 of this??

That was way back when it was merely a rumour though

Re: "I Will never forget you" - talk about feeling something intensely!

Ah, thank you Nick, hold on here...

On Amtrak train now stopping in Redwing, MN. Wondering if maybe Greg Norton will be visible out the window.

http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/t/there-will-be-blood-03-645-75.jpg

No such luck. Some Mennonites got on in La Crosse though! Not sure if they are the carriage or black bumper brand.

http://factmag-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/plectrumrecords2-500x350.jpg

^ rfi: what huskers vinyl is that on the wall of this record store?

that is the bootleg of their 1985 show at first avenue, just as they were working on Candy Apple Grey, and it's pretty amazing tbh. my favourite version of Green Eyes, for sure.
http://www.discogs.com/H%C3%BCsker-D%C3%BC-Live-At-The-First-Avenue-Club/release/2168534

thanks stevie - nice set!

You're So Square

ha, is grant singing that one?

He is! Actually, Bob and Grant share vocals but Grant's dominant on here, and it turns into a terrifying Wit & Wisdom in the middle.

in fact here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elo29fSasCE

I've got one of these bootlegs where they've got "Celebrated Summer" on the track listing as "Sons of Bitches".

hahahahaha what?

"let's go die" is still one of the best song titles ever

the whole track list on Land Speed Record is too fucking good. "Push the Button," "Guns at My School," "Let's Go Die," "Tired of Doing Things."

Track 10:

http://i.imgur.com/AXHCLei.jpg

I think this is the same show as what's on the bootleg vinyl. More songs on the CD though.

it definitely is. Sadly, this performance is very over-used. Shame there aren't more Huskers shows in circulation. I guess there are a couple tapes on YouTube.

weird questions: how seriously am I supposed to take the views expressed in "Real World" & who is the imagined interlocutor ("You wanna change the world by breaking rules and laws")?

I don't really know anything about the Huskers or their politics, but the song's speaker seems to toe the line between common-sense/can't-we-all-get-along thinking & a sort of reactionary conservatism ("I'm afraid of things like that & I lock my doors at night" obviously; but sometimes I even hear the line "I don't rape, & I don't pillage!" in a whiny besieged MRA tone)

so, my question is: do you think the band were satirizing contemporary American attitudes (yuppies! NIMBY!! broken windows policing!!!) or offering a genuine critique of a violent, destructive element within their own scene?

the second one, I think they meant it

(I don't have any support for this, maybe there's an old interview somewhere)

it seems very very Bob

who's the strawman?

everyone. pretty standard mould misanthropy. "everything falls apart" is a better song with the same message, "everything is so fucked up i guess it's natural that way / i guess we like it that way"

also WHEN ARE THEIR ALBUMS GETTING REMASTERED. EVERYTHING BUT THE VINYL SOUNDS LIKE SHIT! huskers and prince. what the fuck is up

seriously, I clicked on this revive for the tiniest glimmer of hope on the reissue horizon

At the time, Real World seemed very obviously directed at the circle-A types who'd get in sidewalk fights with "Nazi" frat boys, and eat out of the Au Bon Pain dumpster, and get very smug about it. Felt like a very sincere pleading for coming down to earth a little. Now it seems more an end run on nihilism- too fatigued to even believe in nothing. But maybe that's cause Mould's persona is much more fixed.

xpost I clicked on it fearing one of them had died (the feeling I get lately anytime I see an unexpected bump of a thread for anyone I like who's over 50) (lol sure symptom I am having a midlife crisis)

i clicked on it wondering what anyone could have to say about HD right now
also because i think Grant Hart is coming back around in a month or so and i'm looking forward to seeing him again even though last time i saw him he was in a crummy mood

He needs hugs iirc

he doesnt look so good these days. is he on the spike again?

Geez I sure hope not.

so, my question is: do you think the band were satirizing contemporary American attitudes (yuppies! NIMBY!! broken windows policing!!!) or offering a genuine critique of a violent, destructive element within their own scene?

Pretty sure the second one. That jumped out at me right away, and I mentioned it when I reviewed the record for my university paper in 1983. I think Minor Threat's "Salad Days" is after something (somewhat) similar.

don't know the Minor Threat; going to fix that now

thanks for the thoughtful replies, everybody!

Recently discovered that the way one feels about Zen Arcade might be directly proportional to how loud one listens to it

and if you listen to it on vinyl. night and day

Yes! Absolutely. I hated listening to Flip Your Wig for years because I only had it on CD and it just sounded so tinny and hissy and unpleasant. Now I think it's my favorite.

New official merch site (just t-shirts, but rumors of live recordings on the horizon):
http://officialhuskerdumerchandise.bigcartel.com/

Supposedly, all 3 Dus now have the same legal representation, which I guess represents some kind of hurdle-clearing thaw, ice cold ice etc.

They've had the same legal rep for so long, several years, that I wouldn't be surprised if they no longer did. Regardless, this is the first movement on the Huskers front in eons.

Man, those shirt prices not very punk rock. :(

gosh, i had two of those shirts when i was a teen, severe flashback time

Is this the first actual 'thing' since the Rhino Everything Falls Apart/Living End release?

i doubt this means a reunion is imminent

legal rep: you could make some $$
band: whatever

XP Was Living End before that?

Is this the first actual 'thing' since the Rhino Everything Falls Apart/Living End release?

― Master of Treacle, Wednesday, October 14, 2015 4:39 PM (14 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

The Numero Group "Amusement" single, the "Live Featuring JC" ep thing that Reflex put out in 2006...

If there ends up being more that t-shirts or posters I will be surprised, I mean maybe, but I wouldn't get my hopes up

Sheesh, can't these guys buy back their masters already? All I want is a catalogue that doesn't sound like dogshit.

what you mean like completely re-recorded

I hope those shirts can make me look as happy as their model

It did take me a while to acclimate to the production on the SST albums-they sound like they were recorded in a cardboard box on a skid row

I think those SST albums sound fine, on vinyl. the CDs need a remaster though.

Man, if Hüsker Dü albums sounded any other way than how they actually sound, I don't know if it would feel right going into my ears. I'm so used to the poor production that anything rounder or fuller re: guitars and drums would feel "off."

yeah i feel like it's kinda part of the husker du deal! but they do sound better on vinyl, i agree, so a remastered CD would be welcome. but i wouldn't expect the remastering to like completely change the sound.

CD/Blu-Ray reissues with 5.1 surround mixes by Steven Wilson or nothing.

I think those records sound great, bizarre and weird and blown-out and full throttle. No remaster!

someday i will relisten to the LPs to find out what you fetishists consider to be bad production

i feel like the early-mid 80s was a weird time to be an underground rock/guitar band -- like obviously you didn't want to sound like def leppard, you wanted to be the opposite of that. and spot's production delivers in that regard.

Yeah, ZA and NDR sound great. FYW started that weird almost-hair-metal-reverb thing, but it and CAG have aged well (far better than Workbook, I'd argue). Warehouse doesn't sound great, but that's more dü to the band's muted instrumental approach.

xp

I think those records sound great, bizarre and weird and blown-out and full throttle. No remaster!

― chr1sb3singer, Thursday, October 15, 2015 7:50 AM

OTM

anyone who thinks those (vinyl) records had bad sound needs to get a vinyl copy of Zen Arcade and put "Standing By The Sea" on a good stereo at high volume

the CD's are garbage, like every single CD SST has ever released. goes w/o saying.

Morbs also OTM

What about the CDs is garbage? They always sounded fine to me (ditto Double Nickels).

And the only HD vinyl I heard was NDR, and it was irritatingly off-center and super pitch-warbly.

No highs, no lows, engineered by the guys at Bose.

I think it's funny when people talk about how Spot "ruined" these records: these bands had kind of crummy gear, had to work in maybe not the greatest studios, under tight time constraints (85 hours to record & mix "Zen Arcade"! That doesn't exactly afford you a lot of time to dial in tones), no money, the Huskers probably recording in the middle of a tour, everyone had problems with themselves and with each other...we should be hailing Spot for saving these records!

Plus, if you listened to some the records Mould produced for other bands around this time (first Man-Sized Action record for inst) I think he really liked that thin, harsh, trebely sound.

yeah, carducci (i think) referred to it as an almost field recording aesthetic/approach. just get it on tape.

Pretty sure the band owns its masters! It's just hard to get everyone to agree at once, like, who will mix/master? I know Mould years ago tried to buy Hart's rights off of him, to no avail. So it's probably just the usual passive aggressive stuff holding things up. "Well, if I can't have it, you can't have it!"

Anyway, this is what Mould told me a few years ago:

BM: I know the three members are under one legal umbrella. But I haven’t seen any definitive movement. I’ve seen baby steps. I hope something happens. It’s good that the three of us are on the same page, as far as one voice representing the band.

Do you have a vision as to what those reissues might be like?

BM: There’s a lot of early stuff that hasn’t been heard. There are not that many b-sides; SST burned through most of those at the time. There’s various live recordings. I mean, there’s “stuff,” but mostly the early years, the unheard stuff. That would be the best place to start. I listened to some stuff years ago, when archivists were sending me stuff and people were starting to get ideas and compile things. I haven’t really been keeping up on it. I know what exhibit A looks like, and when I say that I mean the list of titles of songs. I know what’s there.

yeah the problem with that theory is spot recorded What Makes a Man Start Fires and it doesn't sound like those Du records

When your albums bear statements like "recorded and mixed in 48 hours" or whatever, I'm not sure what we should ever expect. I mean, Candy Apple and Warehouse sound like they do on purpose, and short an Iggy's "Raw Power" or "And Justice for Jason," dunno how much better they'll get.

The punk rock reissue world is a maddening nightmare. DIY no contract band of brothers agreements are the road to hell 30 years later. Numero is way better than most at navigating this field, but things can get ugly when you aren't friends any more, there is no ongoing project but the reissue, and you have to get a formal agreement for what was and what will be moving forward.

http://www.startribune.com/now-open-for-business-husker-du-s-first-official-website/332151562/

Per Norton, the three long-feuding band members finally came together and agreed to recruit Dennis Pelowski, Minneapolis-based manager of the Meat Puppets, to “help us figure out how to get a foothold back in the business.” Pelowski and the Puppets already have experience dealing with SST Records, the label run by Black Flag guitarist and one of punk’s most maligned businessmen Greg Ginn, which issued five of Hüsker Dü’s earliest albums.

Among the new developments so far, the band sorted out licensing issues with SST, which helped lead to the 1984 classic “Pink Turns to Blue” being featured in a recent episode of the AMC TV series “Halt and Catch Fire.”

Am I the only one who would like to hear remastered versions of the Warners albums? All that stuff about gear and studio and time constraints is out the window for Warehouse, which is a great album that sounds at best okay.

Weighing it up re constraints, time, budget, the Warners CDs are maybe the biggest let down - also huge entry point for younger "just missed them first time round" fans. Would be a shame not to see them sorted

I never hear this remastering talk on the Minutemen threads.

^^

A good example of successful SST remasters with improved sound are the Meat Puppets reissues from 2011. It can be done!

I might buy a shirt, as a sort of vote saying, "reunite and we will buy even more sh*t and give you piles of money." I'm okay with that. It goes without saying they did not make much money when they were together.

To be fair, The Minutemen were easier to record. There was no crazy psychedelic guitar distortion and feedback that can be difficult to balance properly with the drums, bass and voice. A cleaner sound with more space, yeah, they sound great!

Didn't Ethan James record Double Nickel;s and a few others?

Ethan James did Double Nickels
Spot did The Punch line and What makes a man, probably a few others

The difference between how Huskers records sound & Minutemen records do just goes to show that Huskers made those records to sound the way that they do.

Awesome.

Also seems like no one in HD cared how the drums sounded

Plus, if you listened to some the records Mould produced for other bands around this time (first Man-Sized Action record for inst) I think he really liked that thin, harsh, trebely sound.

Made To Be Broken, exhibit b

Five Story Garage by Man Sized Action is classic

I'm in the minority but I think the Huskers records are awesome because of how they sound, I feel like they wouldn't have that special quality with more conventional "good" production

I love the weird sheet metal buzz sound

"Five Story Garage by Man Sized Action is classic"

Cuz Paulson and Katzmann did it (I think, I don't have it in front of me), Mould did "Claustrophobia", which lives up to title production-wise

i'm listening to Zen Arcade on my ipod now through 35 dollar porta pros and in complete honesty it sounds totally exciting and alive to me. Granted you HAVE TO turn the gain up or it sounds shitty

also just FYI:

I WILL
NEVER
FORGET
U

new day rising is a little shitty sounding though. But I'd rather hear its soundworld than warehouse's

if there's one thing i learned from browsing audio weirdo forums its turn teh fuckin gain up before you decide whether a recording is shitty

But I'd rather hear its soundworld than warehouse's

This. Hart's snare on Warehouse sounds like digital wax paper.

Warehouse still makes me mad after all these years on so many levels!

>:[

best 'last song on last album by band who can't stand each other anymore' ever, though

yeah I don't think Warehouse can be fixed even with a remix/remaster, the problems are in the way it was recorded

i'm a sap so i'm a sucker for "these important years" ;_;

"It's a double album that's two records too long"

serious q: do you think these guys could actually work up the appropriate head of steam to play husker du songs again?

best 'last song on last album by band who can't stand each other anymore' ever, though

Yeah, for all of Mould's "You'll never have as many songs on an album as me!" Hart had the last best word.

serious q: do you think these guys could actually work up the appropriate head of steam to play husker du songs again?

Yes, if they rehearse for several hours a day, six days a week, for the next year. Otherwise, no way.

I remember liking Warehouse in high school. It was the first thing I heard by them, though. And I never really became a fan - I started going backwards immediately and didn't like Candy Apple Grey very much and hated Flip Your Wig, so I pretty much stopped there. Heard one or two songs from Zen Arcade and New Day Rising eventually, but by then was firmly un-sold. The Mould-related thing I come closest to really loving is Black Sheets of Rain.

Sugar, dude.

serious q: do you think these guys could actually work up the appropriate head of steam to play husker du songs again?

― tylerw, Thursday, 15 October 2015 19:42 (5 minutes ago) Permalink

I saw Mould do an (almost) all Huskers set in the Entry (!) last yr with Narducy and Wurster it was awesome. Norton still plays around town, Hart plays, but not drums. So I guess

a: maybe?

yeah i guess it's mainly hart that i was wondering about... i mean, what he was playing is pretty involved (and i'd imagine physically demanding). not playing all that much drums over the years, i feel like it'd be a challenge to get back to it.

His voice still sounds great, I saw him play drums with Watt (and Norton) a few yrs ago and I was the first I had seen Grant play drums maybe ever (I think he played drums in a later Nova Mob line-up) and it was fine, but it was like cluster-fuck jam on "Little Johnny Jewel"

ha that sounds good -- i really don't know, maybe he could pull it off!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jezlvf483Tw

Mould and Hart on duelling guitars, Dave Grohl on drums

XXpost-if they can some how clear all the other reuniting hurdles, why not?

if husker du can reunite, anything is possible

Archives Vol 2 could come out!

if husker du throbbing gristle can reunite, anything is possible

they should title their reunion album hell freezes over and release a 7" cover of GET OVER IT

haha
still think this is going to be like galaxie 500, who have been good about reissues/DVDs/Merch/books/etc without ever actually reuniting

You forget how long those albums were out of print til the Ryko box, for no good reason.

Archives Vol 2 could come out!

Now you're talking crazy.

Anyway, Husker Du is, along with the Smiths, one of the few (only?) bands whose members are all alive that will never reunite. Mould and Hart played that Soul Asylum benefit years ago (separately), and apparently the bad blood ran deep.

Anyone seen the Grant Hart doc?

Everybody forgets minor threat, that's how insane it would be if they reunited

and the Jam. Can't see them ever getting back together.

i know they weren't bro-ing down at that soul asylum benefit, but mould/hart did actually play a few songs together, so the blood can't have been *that* bad.

I think Talking Heads are even less likely to reunite than Norton/Hart. Those 2 may have some bad blood, but they respect each other-they both feel than Norton never pulled his weight in Husker Du

Mould/Hart do have a mutual respect for one another....and a mutual dislike of Norton, who never pulled his weight in Husker

mould/hart did actually play a few songs together,

Hart played two songs with Mould.

Before Grant Hart joined Bob Mould for two songs at the Quest benefit for Soul Asylum's Karl Mueller last Thursday, the two former singers in Hüsker Dü hadn't shared a stage for 16 years. So what did they play? "Never Talking to You Again" and "Hardly Getting Over It."

If those song choices didn't make things plain enough, there was their body language: Mould looked uncomfortable or unhappy throughout (see below). Hart looked boyish and oblivious. "If me and Bob can get together, that means we can all get together and put Bush out of office, right?" he quipped.

http://www.citypages.com/blogs/only-karl-could-inspire-a-h-sker-d-reunion-6656069

Ha mould's take on that reunion in his memoir suggests why it'd be another decade before they could agree on a tshirt to sell

imagine trying to recreate this insanity

(sans drugs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLI1OOku6Nw

If those song choices didn't make things plain enough, there was their body language: Mould looked uncomfortable or unhappy throughout
haha, well, no one was holding a gun to their heads making them get onstage together, right? or was pirner offstage with a sniper's rifle? also, does mould *ever* look happy go lucky onstage?

http://blog.thecurrent.org/2013/07/grant-hart-on-the-replacements-reunion-and-why-husker-du-wont-get-back-together/

David Campbell: The Local Show fans will kill me if I don’t ask you this. With the recent reunion of Tommy Stinson and Paul Westerberg and the announcement of the first Replacements gigs in 20 years, I was curious if you’ve thought at all about getting the old band back together?

Grant Hart: Well, I really don’t know. I’ve never had the same motives as Tommy and Paul. And I don’t know what they’re gonna prove.

Campbell: They might just have a little fun.

Hart: It must be more interesting than walking Axl’s dog. I mean, hey, if they want to do it, that’s fine. I think Bob and I have had plenty of opportunities to exploit our camaraderie. You know, the last 10 years we’ve been sorting a lot of things out, as far as, ‘You didn’t really say this, did you?’ And it’s like, ‘No, I didn’t really say that! Did you really say that?’ ‘No, that was so and so.’ There comes a time where you have to put your anger away, but that doesn’t come with a guarantee that you’re going to have the same midlife crisis as your audiences are. I might be having my midlife crisis, but I might be having it with a bunch of under-30 musicians that—I pride myself, they’re having a hard time keeping up with me. But the idea of a reunion? I don’t think anybody in Hüsker needs it. It’s not going to enhance our reputation. And I think it says a lot to be the band that doesn’t take the candy from the dish. You’re seeing people that never had a union having a reunion. All these one-and-a-half album bands that—you know, everybody looks themselves in the mirror and wishes like Faust that they could relive their best days, but hell, make new great times.

If those song choices didn't make things plain enough, there was their body language: Mould looked uncomfortable or unhappy throughout
haha, well, no one was holding a gun to their heads making them get onstage together, right? or was pirner offstage with a sniper's rifle? also, does mould *ever* look happy go lucky onstage?

― tylerw, Thursday, October 15, 2015 3:55 PM (6 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Dying man's request

But yeah Mould never looked he was enjoying himself, until recently, onstage.

serious q: do you think these guys could actually work up the appropriate head of steam to play husker du songs again?

The electric frustration fueling the songs I'd want to hear is probably lost.

Also Grant Hart making lots of sense too. I don't want to relive those frustrations very much myself either! Here's to new music.

yeah it sounds like he has a healthy attitude about it... and hopefully they can make a little $$$ off of merch/reissues

did anyone else notice that the t-shirt model looks like a young grant

Whoa, big discussion upthread after my offhand comment about the sound of Husker Du's records. I'm only speaking about CD - never heard any of them on vinyl. And actually, Zen Arcade and New Day Rising sound a lot better than the self-produced later material and are unlikely to be improved any by remastering. But put songs from any of the last three on shuffle with other albums on your digital device, even other 80s indie, and the Dü sounds jarringly thin. It's not enough by itself to seriously hamper enjoyment of the songs, but a remix/remaster sure would be nice. And while there are limits on what anybody can do with something that wasn't recorded right to begin with, I'm sure some genius could beef up the rhythm section a little.

I remember a discussion with a friend years ago about the thinness of the Du rhythm section, and she said, "But if they beefed it up it would sound like Sugar," who she hated. And I love Sugar, but she's right, it would change the sound and the band immeasurably. Husker Du is a band that, like Ken Stringfellow put it in the Posies song Grant Hart, are all about "paper drums and shredded paper voice". But yeah, the CDs could be louder.

I think Dinosaur Jr's You're Living All Over Me was the most heinous SST CD - the second's gap between Kracked and Sludgefeast totally pole-axed the momentum. The Merge reissues sounded much better.

POLL: Worst sounding SST CD.

Do it

Dinosaur Jr. is another great example of an (originally) SST band that reissued the original albums and improved the sound, reunited the original lineup and made some more excellent albums, and are probably better live than the first time around.

Also Grant Hart making lots of sense too. I don't want to relive those frustrations very much myself either! Here's to new music.

No way. We all have no shortage of new music, but as good as Hart's and Mould's recent albums are, I would happily give them up in favor of getting to see Husker Du live. My first week of college in '87 (I was living in the same dorm that Mould once was when he was at the same school ten years previously), I skipped a chance to see them at First Avenue because a group of new acquaintances were going to see local marginally crappy reggae band Ipso Facto at an outdoor show. Nice weather, cute girls, free, I figured I would have tons of other opportunities to see HD. Ha!

It would be interesting to hear new HD music too of course...

But yeah Mould never looked he was enjoying himself, until recently, onstage.

― chr1sb3singer, Thursday, October 15, 2015 4:07 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I saw Mould solo last week, and there were moments when he looked borderline giddy onstage. Clearly genuinely appreciative of the reception to his new material.

local marginally crappy reggae band Ipso Facto at an outdoor show
goodhearted lol @ you carting around your regret in such detail all this time!

as an audience member, i'd probably enjoy a reunion well enough if someone placed it directly in front of me. Dino Jr is a good example. I did enjoy seeing their reunion show (but I went bc I won free tickets)

i just remembered bob mould's description of meeting grant hart and their early friendship. it sounded really fun and quite sweet honestly but they def have always seemed like 2 very different people.

Clearly genuinely appreciative of the reception to his new material.

Funny what a couple of strong albums of good songs will do for you.

not like sales though

in the memoir Mould said he made his first serious money with Sugar. Wonder if that's still true on the catalog side.

I suspect much/most of his income right now is Daily Show theme royalties.

when i read it i felt like he talked a lot about money in the book, he has a real accountant streak

I harbor no wish to see any of my favorite bands from the past reunite. I love Husker Du, but there's no way that a trio of 50-year-olds is going to pull of the same punches as those punks who did Land Speed Record. Let 'em play the stuff they're doing now, the songs they probably enjoy performing more.

I heard there's a party down at Lake Cove

It would be so much easier if I drove

I suspect much/most of his income right now is Daily Show theme royalties.

― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Friday, October 16, 2015 4:32 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Whoa! I've always thought that was Peace Love and Understanding.

Can't lie, bought a shirt. You know, for encouragement.

Ha, no, it's called "Dog on Fire" (a Simpsons reference). Until around 2002 or so, it was Mould's recording; since then, they've used a version by They Might Be Giants (but Bob still gets publishing $$$).

xp

Well, Elvis has a case if he wants it.

Or Nick Lowe, you mean.

Ah hell, I knew that.

when i read it i felt like he talked a lot about money in the book, he has a real accountant streak

― La Lechera, Friday, October 16, 2015 4:39 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

i really appreciated that, it's so often overlooked or forgotten by so many bands that don't save their money or pay people to do things they could do themselves, like book tours, manage press, etc.

Numero, on FB

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14671085_10153859361182327_1180258356254231465_n.jpg?oh=f74ea60de78f21610afe1e6f33bc857c&oe=58A89562

The Factory Outlet Tour was nearly over... then we decided to stop in Minneapolis and grab a
grip of tapes for our next big project.

Red House on one tape! They were a great band, more important to me than Huskers, tragically underrecorded. Their only single:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbx1fbX26Y

Hmm, it never occurred to me that any reissue program might actually just be live releases ...

previous numero posting was a 1979 demo tape -- think they're going for something pretty all-encompassing.

Fuck yes, I can't wait.

Perhaps they haven't won rights to the SST stuff yet so can only release demos/live stuff?

think they posted a pic of the New Day Rising master tapes too ...

now we're talking

think they posted a pic of the New Day Rising master tapes too ...

― tylerw, Monday, October 24, 2016 1:43 PM (five minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/16/8f/c2/168fc228b82500f528b4dbf6209a4ff8.jpg

https://twitter.com/numerogroup/status/778368625849864192 :

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cs1SHLoVUAAw4j5.jpg

Just gimme an a la carte pay to download option numero ppl

and that 1979 tape: http://dangerousminds.net/comments/looks_like_some_early_huesker_due_demos_are_coming_down_the_pike

huh, a safety master - not the original. wonder if they couldn't find the originals, or Ginn lost them, who knows

crazy how Ginn is basically a scooby doo villain in the entire SST saga at this point

Hüskers giving Flip Your Wig to SST instead of Warners as a final thank you is one of the greatest tragedies in rock history. if that record was released on a major label, they could've been huge. that quote from Mould at the end of the HD section in Our Band Could Be Your Life is so sad, something to the effect of "We could've done so much more."

http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2017/08/21/husker-du-savage-young-du-box-set/

Sick show I just found on YouTube, been up for a while but never seen it before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQV-t9wCdXo

Looks like it's two different shows spliced together

goddamn my man can SHRED!

Pushthebuttonbaby! Pushthebuttonbaby!

The Minnesota Public Radio 5-part podcast on the band's history is now live

https://www.thecurrent.org/collection/husker-du/

NICE

the box set is really raising the questions for me of why they didn't take this fucking great More Circus material and combine it w/Metal Circus to make what would have been probably a top 10 all-time American hardcore record...

Greg Norton & The Posies add blue to "Green Eyes" ?!?!?
I guess I appreciate the variation but as a green-eyed person with no blue I prefer the version with plain green eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo5jEYShDp8&feature=youtu.be

Yeah, I was at this show and was wondering about that. Incredible encore, though.

you were there?!
tell us more!

Hmm, let’s see. A mini-review: It was part of the Posies' 30th anniversary tour, with Frosting on the Beater lineup. Given that the band’s tending to their influences is such a big part of their identity, and that they were emphasizing their most Husker-indebted years, a Grant Hart tribute felt inevitable. Norton's current band Porcupine opened and had already played "Standing by the Sea," so when he came back with The Posies for the encore, Ken Stringfellow was right to ask, "I don't need to explain anything, right?" They played "These Important Years," "Green Eyes” (the twist on the lyrics must’ve been a nod to… something?), "Makes No Sense At All" and "Sorry Somehow,” all very faithful, a spittle-y Ken singing the latter, angelic Jon Auer handling most of the rest, and ended with a very very fast "Grant Hart" that couldn't have lasted more than 90 seconds. Ken, prone to emcee-ing, spoke about the difficulty of acquiring Zen Arcade in Bellingham WA in 1984, and how when he finally heard it, it "showed everything and explained nothing.” Playing the encore with Norton was, for him and Jon, “meta,” while for Norton it appeared to be mainly humbling, and it was weird to consider the gulf between their experiences of the moment they were creating together. I’ve never seen any two members of Husker Du share a stage but Norton makes it easier to imagine, with much of the same energy and presence as Bob Mould in recent years. He didn’t say a word but there’s so much excitement in his playing right now, hard to tell if it’s the thrill of performing again or a spirit that never went away.

Also he looks terrific, fwiw. Like, wow.

good intel!! thank you for typing that all out.

i miss grant hart a lot -- i think about him more than i expected to. who could they possibly get to replace him? i'm glad Du didn't reunite. I don't regret missing the Mats reunion either. I am, however, weirdly excited about the Kinks getting back together but let's face it -- these are desperate times and I will take whatever good news comes at me.

Great you-are-there show take, wish I was or were there!

From Rolling Reissues 2017, listened to this several times and first impressions lingered:

NPR's First Listen streamed all three discs of Numero's
Savage Young Du, 69 tracks from 1979-82, preceded by
Michaelangelo Matos' brimming, bracing backstory.
Takes a while for them to get it together in any noteworthy,
non-dated way, though do really like "Statues,"

"Industrial Grocery Store", and several others are pretty good on Disc 1.
Disc 2 sounds quite a bit better right from the start---
I'd prob follow playlisted "Statues" with "Wheels", which is like a
battered Gary Numan vehicle, tho doubt he could scream like this---
shortfastones in the middle eventually blur (but vocal bits, esp. chants,
jostle and jump out for a second), strong finish, especially "Don't Try It",
"Private Hell" (I'd put that right after "Statues" and "Wheels"), "Diane"
and "Sex Dolls'. These are all longer than the blurry muddy ones.
Disc 3 coughs up another crusted mittful for the playlist,
especially when the guitar and drums are in effective contrast,
bass fits both, on "Gravity" and this first version of "Target",
for inst (the remakes or retakes, incl this one of "Wheels",
a highlight of prev disc, not so hot). Also dig the warped groove
of "Travel In Opposite Car", vocal interjections of "Blah Blah Blah."
Several others--- though pretty sure all the young keepers
(incl. ones that might grow on me) could fit one CD, no prob,
considering how many of these 69 are 1-2 minutes long---
some others might sound better in a different context.
Overall, at this point:
The attitude seems predictable---get in line, punkos---
but these whiffs of vitality never are.

Greg Norton's new band Porcupine is pretty cool.

https://newnoisemagazine.com/stream-porcupine-heard-real/

On Bob Mould's best Husker tunes.

"Flexible Flyer" is Hart I'm pretty sure. (Also "Hardly Getting Over It" is on there twice.) No "Chartered Trips"?

Too Far Down is a chillingly great song

I had one friend in junior high that got his mom worried up because she found his handwritten lyrics to "Suicide Solution" by Ozzy Osbourne in his room.

Things got a little more sophisticated in high school when another friend's mom became concerned after finding the lyrics and chords to "Too Far Down" on his dresser.

"Flexible Flyer" definitely a Grant song. He even sorta paid it a revisit on The Argument:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNvFBaFa6s8

^^ great tune!!

i miss grant hart :(

Ain't nothing like "The Real World"...

(Or, better yet, just "Real World.")

"In a Free Land" is the greatest

the gut!
from the gut!

it hurts!
hurts so much!!!

I don't think there are 15 songs better than "Crystal"

"In a Free Land" is the greatest

I don't think there are 15 songs better than "Crystal"

― dorsalstop,

Perhaps, but there at least 150,000 better openers.

“Crystal” has the last best screams of Mould’s career. There could be no more perfect opener to their major-label debut to silence hipsters and reassure nervous fans.

The build to the last chorus on ' Whatever' is great. Love 'Newest Industry' too, that one just races along.

Interview with Bob in the Guardian today. I teared up a bit reading this part:

Mould eventually returned to guitar music with 2005’s Body of Song, and in 2011 wrote his memoir, See a Little Light. But while he’d made some peace with his sexuality and his traumatic childhood, there had been no reconciliation with Hart, his collaborator and competitor in Hüsker Dü. They’d maintained a frosty distance over the decades, until finally agreeing to collaborate on what became Savage Young Dü, a 2017 box-set of archival pre-fame recordings. However, Hart wouldn’t live to see its release.

“I was told Grant’s health had taken a turn, so I flew to Minneapolis from Berlin, where I was living,” he says. “We spent a weekend together, and it was wonderful. We cleared everything up, and laughed about the past, and cried about it, too. We shared a lot of funny stories, a lot of personal moments. I’ve never spoken about it before now. But ultimately, our relationship ended as well as it could have. I was really grateful to have that chance, that time with him.”

Interview is here, hope the link works:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/30/bob-mould-alt-rocks-gay-icon-takes-on-american-evil-my-heads-on-fire?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

"...having just compiled an exhaustive 24-CD box set of his post-Hüsker Dü output"

Damn. I guess this sort of thing is more common nowadays with the rise of the comprehensive niche market box set, but it's stunning to see Mould's solo career get the kind of treatment once reserved for, say, Duke Ellington's complete RCA recordings or Mozart's symphonies.

Yup, was just going to link to that interview and passage. Really happy there was some reconciliation between those guys.

I mean, I hope there was, though Mould is of course in the advantageous rhetorical position of being alive.

Really happy there was some reconciliation between those guys.

― xyzzzz__, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 1:34 PM (two days ago) bookmarkflaglink

Ditto

As the years went on and they seemed at loggerheads, it was always sad to me. It is sad that it took Grant dying to cut that ice, but I'm glad they did get to have some closure.

Hopefully the original Husker Du multitracks are out there some place ok, at this point never know. It is happening out there some, but it is really time for some one to start archiving up all the old punk rock etc. anyway. I know University of Louisville has been building up a small library of the punk & after rock scene there.

Bob said there was a warming of relations while they worked on the box set, but it was definitely Grant's turn for the worst that precipitated that final weekend.

there's a load of live stuff turning up on Dime at the moment

period specific or all over the place?

all over

Hopefully the original Husker Du multitracks are out there some place ok, at this point never know. It is happening out there some, but it is really time for some one to start archiving up all the old punk rock etc. anyway. I know University of Louisville has been building up a small library of the punk & after rock scene there.

― earlnash, Saturday, October 3, 2020 8:34 AM (two days ago) bookmarkflaglink

they probably are in the possession of noted fuckhead greg ginn :/

yup

well, not Everything Falls Apart, but all the SST stuff

Is there anything keeping the Warner era stuff from getting the reissue treatment?

I mean, I see there were some new vinyl pressings in 2014 but is there a reason why nothing else is happening?

I think it was just the internal workings or lack of agreement within the band itself. WB always paid them royalties in a timely manner, still do, so the band never had any business or professional issues with the label. The only thing they released after they split was that live album (an excellent one even if the mix used too much echo on certain tracks), and it was done while Mould had his hands full with Sugar. Even though Mould signed off on it, he didn't bother to listen to it and claims he still hasn't.

I'm not sure this band left behind a ton of unused stuff, especially toward the end.

I have a 13-track file of Candy Apple Grey demos and a disc of New Day Rising rehearsals, fwiw

Oh, they exist. Just not a lot of unused songs, iirc.

oh sorry, yes I agree that actual unused outtake songs are probably thin to nonexistent

Thanks, was just curious. Even with the slim pickings, I wouldn't mind reissues of those last two albums while we continue to wait for Ginn to get his shit together reissues on the SST stuff.

I don't think the SST stuff will ever happen. It really sucks, but I don't think Ginn has an interest/the wherewithal to commit to a remastering/reissue project, and I don't think Bob's focus is on that period of his career (though if he's kept off the road much longer maybe he'll change his mind). It's frustrating, given Meat Puppets and Dinosaur were able to rescue their SST work, but...

When I was researching my Black Flag book I remember telling Carducci that the absence of any reissued/remastered Husker Du catalogue releases from the SST was a disgrace, and he argued that those CDs sound as good as they'll ever sound, which I strongly disagree with.

I've honestly never had a problem with them. We're not talking, like, "Aja" here.

I mean, I guess I agree with you, but my brother's CD of Zen Arcade sounds pretty wussy compared to my ancient vinyl copy.

I have no doubt different printings have different qualities, but wasn't that album recorded and mixed in something like 48 hours? There's only so good it's going to sound.

I feel like we've gone into the CD vs LP thing here before, consensus is that the LPs are better

I agree that it's no Steely Dan, but stevie is right - my vinyl pressing of Zen Arcade sounds significantly better than my CD. And I say that as no sort of audiophile, but it's a vast improvement. I'm assuming the same might be said for the other SST albums, but I only have those on CD.

I suppose, but it's still shades of aggro blaaaarg. Like, I don't think the albums sound any worse than how all the, say, Minutemen or Sonic Youth or Dino Jr. or whatever albums on SST sound, they're all sort of limited by their, well, limitations. Compared, for the sake of then-contemporary frame of reference, to something like Mission of Burma, which was a lot more sophisticated in its studio conception and benefitted more from getting cleaned up.

I don't think Josh is wrong about this. I'm sure the transfers could be better, especially if they do it in DSD, and for my tastes, it needs some EQ to restore some muscle (bring down the treble and upper mids, nudge up the bass). But these are still lo-fi recordings, and there's only so much room for improvement. I guess some people may want it compressed into a congested mess, but that ain't for me.

Spot gonna Spot

There's a November 1987 rehearsal tape of them playing a bunch of post-Warehouse song ideas, some great stuff in there

I feel like we've gone into the CD vs LP thing here before, consensus is that the LPs are better

fify

I don't think the albums sound any worse than how all the, say, Minutemen or Sonic Youth or Dino Jr. or whatever albums on SST sound, they're all sort of limited by their, well, limitations.

I disagree there, tbh - Sister is a well-produced album recorded in a decent studio. And You're Living All Over Me on SST CD was flat and really shoddy - there was a two-second gap between Kracked and Sludgefeast! - wheras the Merge reissue sounded much, much better. Obviously there's only so much you could polish it, but there's still room for improvement. And I thought the Savage Young Du version of the Everything Falls Apart tracks sounded much better than that Warners reissue from the 90s.

There's a November 1987 rehearsal tape of them playing a bunch of post-Warehouse song ideas, some great stuff in there

oh yikes, where is that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV9RN5HEbxY

Though I'm not sure there's unreleased stuff there. All that comes to mind is "Now That You Know Me" (which Grant released) and ... "Gotta Lotta," which was a b-side? And something Greg sang, I think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJr6GIyUi80

I'll be real here, part of me wants these reissues because I think we are in a time where glorified reissues really help to cement a band's legacy (for better or worse, this is a whole different discussion about how valuable this really might be) and I cannot think of many '80s bands that deserve it more than them. I'm pissed that it couldn't have happened while Grant was still around. Not that Husker Du is some forgotten act or whatever, but I look at something like Matador's great Pavement reissue campaign, something that I think really contributed to the strength of their legacy right now.

And it's not like Bob is completely unafraid to look back, given his recent HUEG solo box set.

I cannot think of many '80s bands that deserve it more than them

*cough* MINUTEMEN *cough*

but yes, point taken and I agree

Thanks Josh!

Oh for sure, Minutemen are a close second in my book, now that The 'Mats has been covered.

The Minutemen are even more tricky because their catalog can feel confusing and sprawling to a newcomer.

You think? I think it's pretty well organized and accessible!

idk Politics Of Time and Ballot Result and all the weird singles and EPs do kind of confuse the straightforward Punch Line - Start Fires - Double Nickels - 3-Way-Tie narrative

It's accessible, but all the EPs and comps and singles felt really baffling when I first dove in.

lol xp

most of the warners era b-sides are not all that (although i do have a soft spot for 'all work and no play'), but i always thought this song was amazing, sounds like it could have been off 'torch of the mystics' or something:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1OJo0oEf9g
Husker Du - Fattie

incredible, never even heard of that, thanks!

neverending drone and those waves of sound, so good!

Love that!

all the EPs and comps and singles felt really baffling when I first dove in

That's why the Post-Mersh series was such a gift; all the various EPs, plus one of their albums, on one CD.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71qa5jZckAL.jpg

So baffling pre-internet circa early 90s walking into a record shop and being like "I want to get into Minutemen, what's the best intro?", though (which is why my first was the not-very-satisfying 3-Way-Tie)

Yeah, I had the albums but I usually kept the Post-Mersh collections in the car. Are they out of print?

I think I posted this in the Savage Young Du thread but I ended up running into Terry Katzman at a bar before he passed and he said there's no way the SST reissues happen

They tried to get the masters from Ginn with the same lawyers who handles Meat Puppets and Dino, but apparently there was some particularly onerous details in their contact even worse than the others

He said obviously at a certain point money can make anything go away but didn't get the sense Mould (the only one with serious dough) wanted to spend that much when he's got his solo career

The way Grant put it to others (and, once, to me) was that Mould used that as leverage. That is, he was all for working that stuff out but he wanted a much bigger share of the rights in return, which Grant was not willing to give up. In the end it's all just a matter of will. I remember interviewing Dean Wareham once, years ago, and asking about the (then) out of print Galaxie 500 albums being stuck in legal limbo or whatever, and his response was essentially, um, no, I've got the masters, it was just a matter of getting around to re-releasing them.

The Post-Mersh comps were my introduction to the Minutemen, though there is also a 1998 comp called Introducing the Minutemen; I don’t own it so so idea if it keeps as much context as the others.

Where's the Savage Young Du thread?

At this point I’m more at peace with the way the SST stuff sounds - I do think they are the worst sounding of the big bands at the label - but there’s a charm there I guess coupled with the whole limitations as aesthetic thing

I don’t see why something couldn’t be done for the Warners stuff; they sound awful for what were their big major label statements and sonically, I’m often left wondering - why even make the leap to WB? There were plenty of albums on independent labels in that 86/87 period that sound better than those two

the perfect Minutemen intro is actually the cassette-only release My First Bells, forgot about that one!

https://www.discogs.com/Minutemen-My-First-Bells-1980-83/release/1043613

ums that's a bummer abt that Katzman story, but vmic for Ginn unfortunately

NickB, great post. I'd never heard that b-side.

glad you like it! i love it when they do that more textural stuff

I sincerely appreciated your replies a few months ago when I was fishing around for info on the proto-"Isn't Anything" vibes on the bridge of "No Reservations".

ah, that's nice of you to say so! :)

going back to terry katzman, does anyone have any thoughts or feelings about the rest of the reflex records catalogue?

Hüsker Dü - Statues (7") Reflex A, 1981
Various - Barefoot And Pregnant (Cass, Comp) Reflex B, 1982
Various - Kitten Kompilation (Cass, Comp) Reflex C, 1982
Hüsker Dü - Everything Falls Apart (12") REFLEX D, 1983
Rifle Sport - Voice Of Reason ‎(LP, Album) Reflex E, 1983
Man Sized Action- Claustrophobia ‎(LP) Reflex F, 1983
Final Conflict - Final Conflict ‎(7") REFLEX G, 1983
Hüsker Dü - Metal Circus (EP) REFLEX G, 1983
Otto's Chemical Lounge - Otto's Chemical Lounge (7", EP) REFLEX H, 1983
Ground Zero - Ground Zero (LP, Album) Reflex I, 1984
Articles Of Faith - Give Thanks (Album) REFLEX J, 1984
Man Sized Action - Five Story Garage (LP) Reflex K, 1984
Minutemen - "Tour-Spiel" EP (7", EP) REFLEX L, 1985
Ground Zero - Pink (Album) REFLEX M, 1985

Give Thanks (and all earlier AOF) totally fucking rules, haven't heard any of the others

not really intimately familiar with any of those bands. i did buy a live rifle sport records many years ago, but couldn't really get into it. i know of man sized action because one of the guys in them went on to a band called dragnet who i really like. also future slint producer brian paulson was in them

xp gonna check that one

avoid any post-1985 AOF and you'll be fine :)

seriously, their early stuff (that was remixed and remastered for the Core release, also partly available on vinyl reissues w/original mixes) is some of my alltime favorite Midwestern USHC which is saying a lot

Speaking of Katzman I was once talking to him about Husker and I repeated the old saw abt "well the records don't sound great" and he looked me dead in the eye and said "those records sound EXACTLY how they wanted them to sound"

The second Man Sized Action record is way better than the first

haha yes I remember you saying that earlier in one of these threads re: Husker sound

Various - Barefoot And Pregnant (Cass, Comp) Reflex B, 1982

the copy I heard of this was pretty bad sound quality, think this is mostly demos/live stuff of hardcore bands (unless the copy was just bad) - like one of the Loud Fast Rules songs on it though

Final Conflict - Final Conflict ‎(7") REFLEX G, 1983

I like this, I've got a reissue of this single. iirc Bob Mould produced it? decent hardcore punk. there was another band called Final Conflict from California (who I also like) but this isn't them, this band was from Minnesota.

Minutemen - "Tour-Spiel" EP (7", EP) REFLEX L, 1985

this is a bit throw-away, it's all live covers, it's on that Post Mersh Vol 3 CD

also agree with sleeve about that Article of Faith record (I haven't actually heard any post-1985 AoF)

AOF's In This Life LP (1986) is basically post-Rites Of Spring proto-emo, fwiw

not bad, just a different beast entirely

Man sized action is great!

ah I've actually got that but I thought it was 1985 (it's on a CD called Complete 1983-85)

I like it tbh. but yeah the earlier stuff is better

xp

I repeated the old saw abt "well the records don't sound great" and he looked me dead in the eye and said "those records sound EXACTLY how they wanted them to sound"

I think that's totally right, btw. The aesthetic of HD is, as Ken Stringfellow described it, "paper drums and shredded paper voice". I remember arguing with an old editor re: DH vs Sugar, and she said she hated Sugar because of the conventional rhythm section, and that Grant's percussion served as an antidote to ploddy rock machismo. The WEA albums especially sound, I'd reckon, exactly how they're supposed to sound - though again I'd argue the SST CDs would sound better if they were more akin to how the SST vinyl sounds.

See also: And Justice for All, which got remastered last year or so and everyone was all "finally some low end!" and the band basically said, um, it sounds that way because we wanted it to sound like that.

Yeah tbh I love AJFA's hissy attack. IT DOESN'T NEED BASS.

They ended up touring fairly extensively behind Diver Down: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hide_Your_Sheep_Tour

According to that setlist info, they even previewed some 1984 album tracks during those shows.

lol

Oh wow. Oops.

Husker Du: HIDE YOUR SHEEP

This is 2541, you need 5150 a few blocks up the road

LOLZ

While I'm here tho, I had always partially chalked up the shittiness of the WB Husker's CDs to how poor CD mastering still could be in the late '80s. My vinyl Warehouse has a slightly thicker sound than the CD.

haw, nick

Now I’m fantasizing about what a current day reunion of Van Halen with Bob Mould taking on guitar duties would sound like.

It would be ... stunning.

He'd make them cover "Love Is All Around".

Especially if Greg's in on bass too with his trademark "Klipp" sound.

xpost

similar to Barefoot and Pregnant is the Minneapolis hardcore comp Kitten, features the Rifle Sport (Todd Trainer from Shellac was the drummer)

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Kitten-A-Compilation/release/3039425

Haha, proud crass fools = loud fast rules

Also I had no idea until just now that Tom Hazelmeyer was in Otto's Chemical Lounge who i still haven't ever listened to

What are the good records for rifle sport ums?

Huskers opened this show

http://www.thirdav.com/zinestuff/sv19.html

...with that "Fattie" track playing as they came out and plugged in. I was buying everything by them at that point, loved that EP. I can see my friend Mike in that pic.

Todd also played (drums/guitar/vox) as a member of Breaking Circus in parallel with his tenure in Rifle Sport.

not sure I knew that, their The Very Long Fuse EP is good

I had a youthful phase of buying anything I could find on Homestead, so I ended up with a couple of Breaking Circus records - the album and the smokers paradise EP. Couple of good tracks on both iirc, 'took a hammering' is the one song by them that is really lodged in my mind

Come across this strange little curio on D1mead0zen and thought I might share it.

This looks like it was supposed to be a Husker Du show, but Bob lost his voice, so Grant (and Greg?) went on stage with the "Hypstrz!" and did a bunch of covers, and some other songs.

Husker Du/Hypstr Du
Minneapolis, MN USA
Seventh Street Entry
8 January 1981
[audience recording; total running time: 40:27.46]

A side (40:27.46):
01 start (00:06.36)
02 Statues (04:38.00)
03 interim / tuning (00:27.23)
04 Louie Louie (02:25.65) [Kingsmen]
05 interim / tuning (00:38.11)
06 unknown title ["piss in a bottle" to the tune of Good Golly Miss Molly] (03:24.33)
07 interim / tuning (00:20.27)
08 unknown title [mostly instrumental w/ ad lib vocal] (03:50.14)
09 interim / tuning (00:41.41)
10 Shakin' All Over (03:09.43) [Johnny Kidd & The Pirates]
11 interim / tuning (00:26.47)
12 unknown title (04:10.34)
13 Gloria (02:40.55) [Them]
14 interim / tuning (01:13.65) [someone shouts "Hypstrz!"]
15 C'mon Everybody (02:04.32) [Eddie Cochran]
16 Little Latin Lupe Lu (02:25.60) [Righteous Brothers]
17 interim / tuning (00:22.31)
18 unknown title (02:52.18)
19 interim / tuning (01:11.43)
20 Money (That's What I Want) (03:17.43) [Barrett Strong]

https://www.fromsmash.com/YM-UFTZqJW-bt

NOt listened to this yet but do remember coming across the Hypstrz who I think were a Voxx label garage revival band

It's not much more than a knockabout for the most part, really, but worth a listen.

the hypstrz sharing membership with the mighty mofos

The Hypstrz/The Mighty Mofos are the brainchild of the Batson Brothers two extremely unlikely looking dudes (like the Huskers, bigger, pro-wrestling sized[AWA style not the WWF shit]) the Hypstrz were originally a more Nuggets style garage/punk cover band who date back to the late 70s Suicide Commandos/Longhorn Bar scene, they became the Mofos (different...drummer? I think) who are essentially the same, a few more originals and have played as the Mofos or the Hypstrz ever since.

I bet I have seen them...50 times? 60? Without a doubt the best Mpls band ever. EVER.

Hypstrz had a record om Bomp! that fucking smokes

The Batsons along with the Whole Lotta Loves, represent deep Northeast Mpls cred, eat dick southside with your...Lutherans and your lakes, pfft

Huskers are stone-cold St. Paul, which is why they are essentially melancholy

Replacements are southwest, Uptown/Lyn-Lake which is why they are essentially barf

haha love it, preach my man

Mighty Mofos all Who cover set is one of the best things you could ever see

I saw the Batson Bros doing "Are You Man Enough?" by the Four Tops from the Shaft in Africa sndtrack and it KILLED

remember that one show (ollie stench's bday?) where they did "It's a Long Way to the Top" By AC/DC with full dress bagpipers?

Oh shit that's right! Hahaha

Also, it dawns on me when 99% of people think about "Minneapolis Music Scene" they Replacements, Prince, Suburbs, etc, but in reality the Minneapolis music scene is arguing with Billy Batson about the monitor mix and getting the stink-eye from Ernie for talking too loud in the library

it was kinda funny cuz i think ed gein fan club had to follow that, good luck boys

Awesome local doc about Land Speed Era Huskers, lots of local heads in this, the people in this doc are really the ones who would know, lots of obscure Mpls bands mentioned up thread are seen here briefly

https://www.tptoriginals.org/mn-hardcore-episode-2-the-fastest-band-in-the-world/

thanks! will watch later today, looks great.

that was an absolute treat, thank you!

yeah that was awesome

Huskers are stone-cold St. Paul, which is why they are essentially melancholy

me, 15 and essentially melancholy, at a bus stop near Dunn Bros on Grand in '93, reading the City Pages review of the Everything Falls Apart rerelease

(lol there was a bit in the end credits in that doc that said "'eight miles high' written by robert berry, keith emerson and carl palmer" which was a tad confusing - turns out those guys covered it as the band '3' in 1988. it's um, not a very good version)

I saw that! Also, minor quibble but Twin/Tone never released any Hypstrz records.

Tbh to an outsider, the MPLS vs St Paul thing, even if it’s a bit of fun, is kinda interesting, not least in due to the back in the day flagship bands of both, and partly due to the nature of the Twin Cities

(Clearly countless instances over the years of Husker Du being subsumed under the ‘Minneapolis band’ umbrella)

A new Hüsker Dü live album, Longhorn Tonight, will be released later this year. It will feature a handful of appearances at their local home town venue according to former bassist Greg Norton.

https://www.punktuationmag.com/new-husker-du-live-album-longhorn-tonight-planned/

hey Greg Ginn, stop being an asshole and let them reissue this shit FFS

Serious question? Are there any kit breakdowns for Grant out there on the intertubes? I really wanna know his ride cymbal choices for all studio records. There's a magic in their sound in a way that's as important to me today as they were when I was 17.

listening to Warehouse for the first time ever, it's great!

yeah it should get more shine.

I know it's been pointed out on ILX before but "She Floated Away" really is amazing

... and the drums sound fine to me? playing a 90s CD version

"These Important Years" is great

yeah that got me into it right out of the gate. back in the day I only kept up until Flip Your Wig. now I gotta hear Candy Apple Grey.

CAG is their emo album.

Aw I LOVE She Floated Away. If you like that you should hear the solo Grant song The Main

If you like that you should hear the solo Grant song The Main

one of the greatest songs ever written

oh my god there are 39 copies of that relatively cheap 1989 SST LP release on Discogs, and not a single one ships from the US

https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1291800?ev=rb

so brutal

(a couple other versions do have a single US shipper)

this is my favorite version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToHDEw6fI8

I just got that myself, on the CD single that used it as a B-side!

I like Warehouse a lot, but something about the mix or mastering sounds very weird coming through computer speakers, as if certain frequencies have been misplaced and the stereo balance is off-kilter.

I like _Warehouse_ a lot, but something about the mix or mastering sounds very weird coming through computer speakers, as if certain frequencies have been misplaced and the stereo balance is off-kilter.

listening through computer speakers might be the problem. The OG vinyl sounds fine. As do their other LPs, unlike the SST CDs which most have a real problem with.

Candy Apple Grey CD is the closest you can get to blowing speakers out with that opening track, lol

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/15817

Event: RECORD STORE DAY 2023
Release Date: 4/22/2023
Format: 2 x LP
Label: Reflex Records
Quantity: 5000
Release type: 'RSD First' Release
MORE INFO

A 2xLP set of rare, early Hüsker Dü live recordings, featuring original flyers and artwork. Drawn from the historical Hüsker Dü recording archives compiled by Terry Katzman, this double disc live set is an essential companion piece to the band's Savage Young Du Box Set. While the SYD release principally featured studio demos, the 28 tracks presented here are the aural and enchanting equivalent of a time machine that vividly thrusts the listener straight back to Husker Du's embryonic unsheathing on stage.

Side A dates to July 1979. Side B gives us a full year's evolution to July 1980, while Sides C and D land the listener in September 1980. Perhaps 120 people in total saw these three Longhorn performances. Until now, a handful at most have heard the playbacks. So, rare and fresh, it's all here: the songs, the driven performances, the small club intimacy of being in front of select friends, fans, and peers, with one fair shot at getting it right. These four sides compellingly document that you can't doubt that they did.

Side A - July 6. 1979 20:56

1 Insects Rule The World (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)
2 I’m Not Interested (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)
3 Sex Dolls (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)
4 Can’t See You Anymore (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
5 Sexual Economics (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
6 Do You Remember? (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
7 Nuclear Nightmare (Hart/Mould/Norton) (BMG Bumblebee BMI) (Granary Music BMI) (Husker Music BMI)

Side B - July 16 1980 Tiger Night 22:17

1 All Tensed Up (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
2 Strange Week (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)
3 Don’t Try To Call (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
4 Industrial Grocery Store (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
5 Do The Bee (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)
6 Do You Remember? (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
7 Ode To Bode (Norton) (Husker Music BMI)
8 Don’t Have A Life (Norton) (Husker Music BMI)

Side C - Sept 25 1980 Homerock 20:40

1 All I’ve Got To Lose (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
2 Don’t Try It (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
3 Writer’s Cramp (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
4 Gilligan’s Island (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)
5 What Went Wrong? (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
6 Uncle Ron (Norton) (Husker Music BMI)
7 MTC (Norton) (Husker Music BMI)
8 Drug Party (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)

Side D - Sept 25, 1980 Homerock 22:15

1 Chinese Rock (Meyers, Colvin) (Dilapidated Music DoraFlo Music, Quick Fix Music BMI)
2 Termination (Norton) (Husker Music BMI)
3 Call On Me (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
4 Gravity (Mould) (Granary Music BMI)
5 Statues (Hart) (BMG Bumblebee BMI)

Shit I had not heard of this before

Does "RSD First" release mean it'll be coming out as a non-limited non-RSD thing later?

I hope so ^

I read somewhere there’s a digital release scheduled for autumn; I don’t know for sure about physical.

These days (and this will always change) my favourite Hart is "She's a Woman (and now he is a Man)". So good.

so good!

oh, that RSD release is out on CD apparently: https://www.discogs.com/release/26835887-H%C3%BCsker-D%C3%BC-Tonite-Longhorn

Perhaps 120 people in total saw these three Longhorn performances.

I was likely one of them. "Tiger Night" (side B) was the name of the Wednesday new band night at The Longhorn. No cover, and there was usually free tap beer for an hour from 8-9 pm to get people down there. I went almost every week in 1980.

oh, that RSD release is out on CD apparently: https://www.discogs.com/release/26835887-H%C3%BCsker-D%C3%BC-Tonite-Longhorn🕸

_Perhaps 120 people in total saw these three Longhorn performances._


I was likely one of them. "Tiger Night" (side B) was the name of the Wednesday new band night at The Longhorn. No cover, and there was usually free tap beer for an hour from 8-9 pm to get people down there. I went almost every week in 1980.

http://www.thirdav.com/hd_posters/p19800702.gif

Awesome

25 cent Special Exports. It's a wonder I'm still alive.

Green cans

Bottles! I often picked up a 6-pack on the way to the show and I'd sneak 'em in after the 25 cent special was over.

Green Death

wow THE DADS really got around

sorry The DADS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hb4r1bCpJw

Thanks so much Dan!

I love talking about this era. What I remember of it anyway...

First: It's been eons since I listened to "New Day Rising," just because there's too much music and too few hours. While I never got to see Husker Du live (though got to see Hart and have seen Mould a bunch), weirdly enough I don't regret it, since the advantage of Spot's production is that I feel it captures the energy and aaaargh of group live, at least based on the bootlegs I've heard. This is kinda true about a lot of SST stuff, too. The Minutemen, for example, I feel most of their albums do a pretty good job offering a snapshot of what the group must have been like live, based on what I've heard.

Second: My memory was primed for "Books About UFOs," but I somehow totally forgot about "Terms of Psychic Warfare." What a great tune. Why don't people cover Husker Du?

When I first heard "Terms of Psychic Warfare," I honestly thought it could've come from the mid-'90s, and that it would've been a massive hit that sounded great on the radio ten years after it was actually released.

I saw them on the New Day Rising tour after hearing the album (plus Zen Arcade) and my recollection is that they were somewhat louder and more saturated-sounding than expected. It was a fairly small room though.

https://i.imgur.com/MxLfp4j.jpg

"Nord-strom riii-sing ... "

A song from Grant's first solo LP, performed by Hüsker Dü during their last tour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnxQeivVLHY

Similarly, "See a Little Light" from Mould's first solo LP was vastly improved by the electric trio arrangement he came up with later on. Wish they held it together for one more album, but I don't think there was a chance in hell that would've happened.

I love "See a Little Light" the way it is: the cello, the jangle of that guitar.

Tbh I don’t really like the way he plays distorted rock guitar live versions of stuff that was acoustic/clean in the studio - I’ve passed on seeing the electric solo live mostly for that reason

I did grow to like Workbook, but I don't share that impression about his live shows at all - whenever his current trio comes through town, I've been blown away. One of the greatest shows I've ever seen was the first one he did after Grant died - he was also supporting Sunshine Rock, which is probably my favorite of his solo albums, but the setlist (which was enormous) covered a LOT of ground and everything sounded tremendous. I will say his electric trio shows are markedly better than his electric solo shows - Narducy and Wurster do add a lot to his shows.

speaking of, i have been thinking about how i am dying to write a 33 1/3 about Metal Circus when i checked to see if there were already a glut of those books about HD and found this! https://333sound.com/introducing-our-33-13-on-bob-moulds-workbook/

does not sound very much to my liking, which is good because i want to write more about Grant/his songs anyway.

i loved Workbook when I was 19 or so, See A Little Light still makes my heart sing tbh

It's a great song - it ought to be a standard and reinterpreted in myriad ways.

i just searched the lyrics and realized "listen there's music in the air" not "listen there's music in me, yeah"

loooooool i am always so close

Is it a challops to say I prefer Grant’s body of work? I think his solo records blow Bob’s away.

not on ILM!!

(I mostly agree)

Solo albums, yes. I love those two and a half Sugar albums though.

Me too

Is it a challops to say I prefer Grant’s body of work? I think his solo records blow Bob’s away.

I've always felt, in HD, Bob was more constant, Grant's highs were higher - but I'm not so sure anymore. As I grow older the bravery of Too Far Down and the maturity of Hardly Getting Over It put a lot of Grant's stuff in the shade, though my favourite HD song is probably still Pink Turns To Blue. And I think there are some remarkable, brilliant Grant solo songs (and Nova Mob, too), but again I don't feel like any of them are consistently brilliant, where Bob has Workbook, Copper Blue and Beaster, which are brilliant throughout.

Whether you prefer one or the other, the amazing thing is that we have both — two truly gifted songwriters in one loud tiny three person package (no shade to Greg)

There's definitely a good bit of stuff I like from their post-Hüsker Dü careers, especially Sugar, but otherwise I found their solo work to be extremely uneven (moreso Mould). I love Sunshine Rock but if it's my favorite Mould solo album, it didn't really have much competition. I was hoping they'd both get a well-curated anthology covering their respective careers. Mould did get one of his post-Hüsker, pre-Sugar years that's sort of okay (not a lot of ground covered though), and several years ago he put out that gargantuan box set that's way too much.

I listened to New Day Rising today just for fun and would like to report that Greg brings A LOT to this band, so absolutely no shade on him whatsoever.

totally, Greg rules, also the most stylish member

Absolutely - it's possible he's the most accessible element in their music. Like he'll come up with a really tuneful hook or just make something that much more danceable.

Like here - his bass part is the earworm of this number:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7gbdTJxWFs

Yes, that song specifically!! he adds the bounce and the groove -- love Greg <3

"two truly gifted songwriters in one loud tiny three person package..."

Been trying to reply with a joke response to this of GN shaking his fist and going "Every time, I tell ya!", but not sure if the way it sounds in my head fits the context here.

and several years ago he put out that gargantuan box set that's way too much.

I mean tbf it's absolutely everything.

I still really like a lot of "hubcap", a particularly sour and satisfying Mould breakup album.

This is an excellent overview of Bob's solo career: https://www.discogs.com/release/19496299-Bob-Mould-Distortion-The-Best-Of-1989-2019

haha someone posted this on a vinyl group I hang out in #onethread

https://i.imgur.com/4qtCWjXl.jpg

This is an excellent overview of Bob's solo career: https://www.discogs.com/release/19496299-Bob-Mould-Distortion-The-Best-Of-1989-2019

Thanks! Will check that out