The Area Scene

Former Minnesotans The Hold Steady (who never were a band in Minnesota and 4/5ths of whom are actual former residents) have grown up. The band stopped name checking Minnesota street and cities on their just released new record "Stay Positive" and they graduated from venues like the VFW where they played last in Fargo in 2005 to playing the Fargo Theatre tonight. They’ve also opened for everyone from the Rolling Stones to the Stooges and played nearly every major festival in America and Europe. The band is frequently featured on late night television as they were recently on the Late Show with David Letterman and upcoming on Later with Craig Ferguson. On the new record, the Hold Steady try to broaden their already broad (for indie rock anyway) horizons. This is about the only indie rock band that could get away with writing a ballad or using a double necked guitar and it doesnt seem pretentious. For all the references to their musical similarity to Springsteen and Zeppelin, the band name checks punk and hardcore more as influences in both lyrics and interviews. Both the sound of course leans more towards the latter. Every year the bands fan base continues to grow and the critical acclaim wider spread. We really are lucky to have a band of this caliber in Fargo. I really feel they are one of the most important bands of our time. Through themes in his lyrics touching on both, frontman Craig Finn reaches young and old audiences alike forming a unique ability for both to relate to it. The Hold Steady play the Fargo Theater on Wednesday with openers the Loved Ones. Show is at 8 pm sharp for All-Ages. This is one you don’t want to miss.

 The Hold Steady:

The biggest and hottest act in punk rock, Jay Reatard, plays the Aquarium on Tuesday. With a recent signing to Matador Records, opening slot on a mostly sold out Black Keys tour, and word spreading on his knack for writing the most catchy garage punk tunes around these days, the hype surrounding Jay Reatard has continued to grow by leaps and bounds over the last 6 months. Jay and band are in the midst of a 3 week tour that includes stops at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago and Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle. Not many cities the size of Fargo are included in the jaunt so we should consider ourselves lucky to be hosting a stop. The live show of Jay Reatard might give you whiplash, he can play up to 20 to 25 songs in under 35 minutes. His songs are short but live they are often played at break neck speed back to back to back with nary a moment to catch breath. The enigma that is Jay Reatard exploded recently with a highly publicized (thanks to You Tube) incident, but that has only served to make the legend grow even more. You know what they say "as long as you spell my name right". There are a lot of other cities that would kill for this tour to stop in their town, some of them way bigger than Fargo. If you haven’t heard Jay Reatard yet, do yourself a favor and take a listen. Its important than we represent that Fargo deserves shows like this on Tuesday at the Aquarium. Jay’s star is only gonna get brighter when Matador releases the next singles compilation (of 45s being released every other month in limited editions of 500 copies) this Fall and new full length record in early 2009. Mr. Reatard will continued to be talked about in indie rock circles for nothing else because of the prolific amount of work he produces. So before you read about him in Rolling Stone or see him on late night TV, catch Jay Reatard at the Aquarium and prove that Fargo can be just as tuned into whats cool as soon as everyone else is. They always say we’re 6 months to a year behind on trends. Lets prove them wrong. Tennessee’s Cheap Time, and locals Les Dirty Frenchmen and Final Fight warm up the 10 pm 21 and over show, which has a cover of $10.

Jay Reatard:

Two of the funnest, most prolific and best one man bands have combined for a 6 week summer tour that brings them to Fargo on Friday. Bob Log III (who’s last appearance in town was in 2003 at Ralphs Corner) and Scott H. Biram (a previous visitor in the summer of 2006 to the Aquarium) are co-headlining a barn burner of a jaunt called the Hillgrass Bluebilly Tour. The two acts will be headlining a night at the Deep Blues Festival outside Minneapolis but before that stop at the Aquarium. Bob Log III, best known for a song called "Boob Scotch" plays in a helmet (complete with megaphone microphone) and taps the kick drum with his right leg, cymbals with his left, and plays slide guitar with his hands. I think he would definitely qualify as a multi-tasker. The result is bluesy, dirgy, punk rock and roll that fits his snarky attitude and between song banters. "Boob Scotch" is a song where Mr. Log asks a female from the audience to dip her boob in his scotch, after which Mr. Log takes a drink. At his last appearance in Moorhead, there were no takers much to his disappointment. This is emblematic of both acts, they love their women, whiskey and music and sing lots about all of them sometimes in the same song. Scott H. Biram doesnt play drums with his feet but still creates quite a racket himself with a guitar and distorted vocals. He is quite bluesy as well with a tinge of country and punk. He hails from Austin, TX and records for Bloodshot Records. Biram’s done some time on the road with the Legendary Shack Shakers. At his last Fargo appearance, he played for well over 90 minutes and talked with nearly everyone in the building after the show. He frequently takes requests and feeds off the crowd’s energy. A lot of his songs tell dark tales about truck driving, past lovers, and receiving the short end of the stick. You can tell Biram’s from Texas just by listening to him. Possessed By Paul James has the tough act of warming up crowds for these two high energy acts. Playing Tennessee bluegrass might be way of easing that pain and making people glad he’s around on this bill. Its not often you 3 get one man acts who actually sound like bands and who create more racket than a lot of bands. But thats the case on Friday at the Aquarium. No folk here, just southern fried blues rock and roll. Cover is $10 for 21+ with music at 10 pm.

Bob Log III:

Scott H. Biram:

San Francisco’s The Dodos are a band you may not have heard of, but whom you may soon enough. The duo who record for French Kiss Records will be burning up the summer festival scene with a slew of appearances at some of Europe’s biggest as well as Pitchfork, Siren, Treasure Island (and most recently Sled Island) here in North America. They’ve also been featured on NPR’s World Cafe and Bryant Park Project. The group comprised of guitarist and singer/songwriter Meric Long and drummer dynamo Logan Kroeber, create catchy psyche folk pop songs that sticks in your head for days. Meric studied West African drumming and wanted to explore ways in which drums could be the focal point of the music in ways that bring out rhythms of the acoustic guitars. Its a back and forth that works well together. They are unlike anything you may have heard recently. In March, The Dodos released their 2nd full length "Visiter". The album would be just as at home on the radio as it would be being yakked about on an indie blog. For now, the band will continue to be darlings of the indie press, but we’ll see what the future will bring. Take a listen and see what I mean,. Catch them at the Aquarium on Monday with Pat Lipsiea and the Fringe Benefit opening. Cover is $7 for 21+ at 10 pm.

The Dodos:

Longtime English born and raised singer songwriter Scout Niblett comes to the Aquarium on Wednesday. She’s been releasing albums since 2001 and currently resides in Portland. She started out putting out records on Secretly Canadian and since has graduated to Too Pure Records (home of Stereolab and PJ Harvey) which put out her latest record "This Fool Can Die Now". The new record features 4 hauntingly beatiful duets with Bonnie Prince Billy. Earlier in her career (back when she recieved producing work from the legendary Steve Albini) she would play solo sometimes even tackling drums and guitar herself. Some of her records in fact she played all the instruments. Lately though she has been touring with a drummer, which helps her cover all the tunes from throughout her career from the slow ballads to the fuzzed out rockers. She is not shy about her influences (Nirvana, Cat Power, The Breeders) and they now doubt show throughout her work. But as the latest record and duets can attest, she has a wide range of talent and songwriting ability that have gone beyond her influences. She plays the Aquarium Wednesday along with her longtime friend (and former labelmate) June Panic along with Chrissie Jo and the GOB’s. Cover is $6 at 10 pm for 21+.

Scout Niblett:

Conventional wisdom would have that an indie rock act signing to a major record label would be such a good thing that would lead to success, girls, mansions and rolls royces. But it doesn’t always work that way. Especially not in the digital age, where profits are being reduced every year as the music industry struggles to adapt and make money in the world of Mp3s. Langhorne Slim last time came through town opening for Two Gallants and had seem poised to break through to the big time. V2 Records, home of Moby and the White Stripes, had put out an EP from the band and was about ready to unleash their much anticipated sophmore LP when the label (shortly after the bands visit to Fargo) went through some major restrutcturing, decided not to put out new music and eventually was sold. Every act on the label became free agents, free to sign with whichever label they choose. Any scheduled releases were scrapped. That meant back to the drawing board for Langhorne Slim. It took a bit for the band to find a new home, the record’s release was delayed almost a year. But eventually the band landed on Kemado Records, a NYC based label that is home the likes of Dungen, VietNam, and the Sword among others. Finally Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles self titled record was released last month. It seems to be well worth the wait however as things seem to be turning around for Langhorne Slim, not that they were that bleak before, but still losing your label and pushing back your album’s release are not something any act wants. The band has trudged on and now that the record is out, it has been recieveing rave reviews and they (his backing band is dubbed the War Eagles) even appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman a few months ago. It just goes to show you that bigger isnt always better. With all the uncertainty in the music business, maybe a more solid indie is the way to go. Whatever the case, Langhorne Slim returns to Fargo Thursday, bringing his soul folk anthems, ranging from the beautiful to the foot stomping. As those who caught Langhorne Slim with Two Gallants can attest, the live slim experience is well worth seeing and where you can in fact fall in love with the band. Many did that night despite never having heard or Mr. Slim before. Who knows where Langhorne Slim is headed these days, looks like green pastures to me. But before that, you catch him and the War Eagles one more time on Tuesday at the Aquarium with guests the Cass County Uglies (local country punk) and the Green Room (drunk bluegrass), cover is $7 at 10 pm for 21+.

Langhorne Slim:

All the way back in 1996 and 1997 Local H found fame with songs like "Bound for the Floor", "Eddie Vedder", and "All the Kids Are Right", straightforward catchy heavy rock songs in the post grunge era topped with sardonic lyrics. The band has continued throughout the years weathering lineup changes (guitarist/vocalist Scott Lucas has remained the constant), releasing an album or two every few years and constantly touring. The band has kept sane  by mixing in covers of everyone from Britney Spears to Guided By Voices to Guns ‘N Roses and most recently TV On the Radio. Local H appear by all accounts to be one of those acts who don’t take themselves too seriously, a rarity for a heavy rock band. Their latest record is all about a break up. Just one though. Isnt that what most songs are about anyway….falling in or out of love. Well this one ("12 Angry Months" released in May on Shout! Factory) features all songs about one breakup. I am sure you can fill an album or two venting about one of your breakups. The band recently performed their single "24 Hour Breakup Session" on Last Call with Carson Daly but it appears the success attained in the late 90′s may be not attainable again. No matter this band plugs away (unlike many others from that era) performing for a small but loyal fanbase. Tonight they will make their Fargo debut at the Aquarium. After 10 plus years, the band finally made it to North Dakota. If you like meat and potatoes heavy rock or enjoyed Local H in the past (their new material doesnt stray too far from the past, this band ain’t reinventing the wheel), then check them out tonight at the Aquarium. Cover is $8 for 21+. Locals Empire Builder warm things up just after 10 pm, featuring members of the Diversion Scene, Anchorhead, 7 O’Clock Sucker, Jet Set Ready and Battle At Sea.

Local H:

I don’t know if its because everything’s been done before and people are resorting to borrowing from the past (which sounds different compared to most other things these days) or if these patterns are cyclical and its always bound to come back around at some point but whatever the case, psychedelic rock seems to be a bit more prominent in the indie rock world these days. And with the results they are producing, its fine by me. We’ve already seen recent visits to Fargo from Black Mountain, Dead Meadow, A Place to Bury Strangers and of course hot, big time acts like The Raconteurs and the Black Keys are blowing up on the national scene now while taking a page from the psyche past as well. And it finally seems legends like Roky Erickson and the late Syd Barrett have gotten their due recognition in recent years. Two of psyche rocks most promising acts, The Black Angels and the Warlocks, paired up for a summer tour that brings them to the Aquarium on Tuesday. The Black Angels are the most retro of the two, unabashedly so with Nico in their logo, projection visuals behind them during live show, tie dye esque covers and songs about the Vietnam War. But I guess if you are going to encorporate the past, you might as well embrace it rather deny it. The Black Angels take their roots and inject some vitality in them, providing pieces of new ideas to a sound so old. Sure they could be just as at home in the 60s, but would it sound and feel the same? The Warlocks seem to take a few notes from the 90s british shoegaze scene and mix it in with their psyche tendecies. The result is more Ride than Stone Roses suprisingly but it works as singer/guitarist Bobby Hecksher’s (who reportedly befriended the late legendary LSD guru Timothy Leary some years ago)nasally infectious voice remains in your head for days. Both these bands have done their time opening for acts like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Queens of the Stone Age, the Black Keys, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and others but are coming into their own as headline acts. Definitely worth the price of admission on their own right. As these psyche rock bands start eclipsing other genres bands, you may continue to see them sprout up in bigger numbers. But until then enjoy, you should enjoy the ones who were some of the first to bring it back. Two of the finest will be in our midst on Tuesday. Don’t miss it. The Black Angels and the Warlocks are at the Aquarium on Tuesday for 21+. Cover is $8 with music at 10 pm.

The Black Angels:

The Warlocks:

Indie rock royalty from Montreal hits the Aquarium tonight as Nick Thornburn (formerly known as Nick Diamonds of The Unicorns) visits town with his project Islands. Islands is a 6 piece band featuring violins, strings, keyboards which produce lush pop melodies. I was asked who to compare them to and immediately thought of Why? whom they’ve toured with, although Islands dont have as much hip hop influence as them. Islands released their new record "Arm’s Way" in May on Anti Records (home, of Nick Cave and Tom Waits). The Unicorns became extremely popular relatively quick and never really got to be an active band after they were popular. There is a sense that Islands might be different as the band has done lots of touring and already jumped labels. There’s no doubt they benefited from the Unicorns connection, but I think there is some hope that while not yet they may soon exceed where the Unicorns ended up. Nick Thornburn has a flair for the dramatic, the stage is populated with lights, the band wears matching costumes, and he often dons facepaint like a mime. The new record features quite a lot of catchy dance tunes that could be just at home in dance club as an indie rock bar. This is a show Fargo is lucky to get so come out early on a Wednesday and check it out. Cryptacize featuring Chris Cohen formerly of Deerhoof open along with Despot and Sister Suvi. Cover is $10 for all-ages with music at 7 pm.

Islands:

Comedy and indie rock aren’t a natural to go together. But even hipsters like to laugh. The last few SXSW festivals have featured appearances from Human Giant, Zach Galifianakis, Patton Oswalt and Janeane Garafalo. This year’s festival featured one whole night of comedy showcased in fact (no music at all). And even major non-industry festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Sasquatch and others have comedians performing this year. I happen to catch Eugene Mirman at the Mess with Texas event at this year’s SXSW festival and found myself in stitches. He’s no stranger to the indie rock world having opened for the Shins, Modest Mouse and Yo La Tengo. Eugene has made his mark most recently with comedy albums on Sub Pop, specials on Comedy Central and a recurring role on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords. The website 23/6. com, a comedic offshoot of Huffington Post, which has featured some hilarious primary coverage featuring Mr. Mirman is sponsoring a spring tour entitled the Stand Uppity Tour with Eugene as well as Andy Kindler and Marc Maron. Its chock full of humor from hip, irreverant, sardonic comedians that is just at home at a place called Knuckleheads vs. the Aquarium. The Aquarium is where all 3 will be tonight for an early evening 21+ show. Kindler is a regular a self depricating correspondent for the Late Show with David Letterman and made his mark as ‘Andy’ on Everybody Loves Raymond. Maron used to have a show on Air America, still appears on their morning show, has a recurring Comedy Central special and is frequently on Conan, Letterman and Leno as a guest. It should make for a hilarious time as all 3 have unique, twisted humor in their own rights. The show is 21+ and gets started at 7 pm sharp. If you like your humor irreverant and relevant, this is the place to be.

Following that show, the Aquarium returns to its normal fare hosting the best of touring indie rock bands. Oakland’s the Heavenly States makes their annual appearance tonight performing their brand of infectious indie rock (which seperates itself from others with some amazing violin work). The band last appeared in town with Mark Mallman and has some Minnesota roots (two members Ted Nesseth and Mark Masanori used to live in Minnesota). The Heavenly States new record for their new label the Rebel Group is called "Delayer" and was released in February. The record is solid top to bottom and amazes me that it doesnt have more buzz. Along this time is Austin, TX’s Shearwater, who roll through town on an off date opening the Clinic tour. The band is the brainchild of Jonathan Meiburg, who formed it with Will Sheff of Okkervil River to perform more softer fare. Sheff quickly became too busy with Okkervil dutes and Meiburg recently became too busy with Shearwater duties and has quit as Okkervil’s keyboardist. This is a band who you will hear more from when their Matador debut "Rook" comes out in June. They have been getting rave reviews on their live show recently which features their unique instrumentation including banjos and organ. It should make for a solid double bill for 21+ starting at 10 pm with States tourmates from Iowa The Poison Control Center warming things up.

Mirman, Maron and Kindler:

The Heavenly States:

Shearwater: