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Jezebel Jones

If Americana is the new punk rock, Slim Cessna is its Iggy Pop. He not only serves as a dark ole granddaddy but defies our desire to file music into mothballed subgenres like gothic country or punkabilly. Fans often describe a Slim Cessna's Auto Club show as a religious experience -- yet even with eight albums spanning nearly two decades they are relatively unknown.

The band is a paradox -- known for dark imagery, yet fun as hell. Just as they've outgrown genre they're an active reminder that all great American music springs from the same soil -- country, blues, the music of Saturday night and of Sunday morning, it's all a singular enduring tradition. And Cessna takes the stage at 7th St. Entry tonight.

City Pages talked to tonight's opener, Minneapolis' own queen of gothic country, Jezebel Jones about Slim Cessna's Auto Club, her own music and the fiery apocalypse that awaits us all.

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Yeah, yeah, Soundset is this weekend. We see the tweets, the likes, and even the cover of this magazine. But in case you need a break or are a compulsive gambler and being around racetracks brings out the itch, how about a CD release party this weekend? More »

​The upcoming release from Buildings, Melt, Cry, Sleep, is a jarring and powerful album, built around aggression and volume. The time in between this one and the avant punk act's 2008's Braille Animal saw the band maturing -- vocalist/guitarist Brian Lake temporarily relocated to Chicago, and the band found a new bass player in Sayer Payne. With drummer Travis Kulman rounding out the lineup, they got to work on a sophomore release that will be issued on CD by local label doubleplusgood with the vinyl produced by Colorado label Cash Cow Production.

Gimme Noise took a moment with Lake and Payne to ask about the putting together their second album. Buildings will play a release show tonight at Cause with Gay Witch Abortion, Iguano, and Miami Dolphins.

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Danielle Attinella

Radio K listeners were treated to a new voice in July, when the University of Minnesota's radio station introduced Clashed Attitudes, a new punk themed show to their line-up. Hosted by students Gus and Morgan, the duo aims to present a wide spectrum of sounds, all under the broader "punk" umbrella. Morgan, a Japanese major, comes from Eau Claire, WI, and Iron Range native Gus is studying Applied Economics. Gus also plays in Fight Cunning, and the two can be found around town at varied concerts and record stores when they're aren't in studio or in class.

Gimme Noise got hold of them to talk about the show--the semantics of taking requests, choosing guests, and just where they'll draw the line on what to play on air.

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Photos by Nick Wosika

Eclipse Records has had a challenging history, as has been covered rather thoroughly in the past by City Pages. The store spent 1999-2003 on Grand Avenue, re-opened on University Ave from 2008-2010, and is now settling into a downtown St. Paul location that, no doubt, owner Joe Furth would like to be its last.

Eclipse Records 3.0 opened on September 29th, and this incarnation of the store has shifted away from in-store venue and arcade, choosing a focus on vinyl sales and collaborations with existing venues. That collaboration, though, has taken a larger scope with the new store. Located side-by-side with Eclipse are Big Table Studio and Amsterdam Bar and Hall--both of which are also new to the block and hope to spearhead a vibrant downtown music scene.

Gimme Noise took a moment with Furth to discuss the new store, and what he's learned from his many trials.

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Maygun and Lisa

Punk rock prides itself for an inclusive environment--as a place for misfits and alienated souls to come together, despite differences. Of course, it only takes a few minutes at a concert to recognize that the crowd itself isn't as diverse as its philosophy. Despite the egalitarian message, the scene tends to be dominated by men.

Amy Oden, a longtime fan of the lifestyle, sought to look deeper. Besides filmmaking, Oden has played with bands Starve and Hot Mess, and also serves as an organizer for CLITfest. Since 2006, she has been collecting voices in her documentary From the Back of the Room, which aims to open a dialogue for women within the scene, exploring issues such as gender, sexuality, and motherhood. It took four years of hard work and DIY fundraising, but the documentary is now seeing the light of day. Her film is partially a historical piece on punk feminism, but its primary purpose is right in line with the classic punk message: social change.

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Photo by Greg Schaal

Roughly one year after the release of Alive in High Five, their second album on Learning Curve Records, Private Dancer are (most likely) calling it a day. The classic rock-schooled, enthusiastic five piece shares members with STNNNG, Vampire Hands, Marijuana Deathsquads, Leisure Birds, the Chambermaids, Total Fucking Blood, Robust Worlds, and the recently formed Polica, and there's little doubt that other projects will spring up. Singer/guitarist Alex Achen is contemplating an international move, and the rest of the band are involved in several other projects.

With the end in sight, Gimme Noise caught up with Achen and guitarist Nate Nelson to cover what may be the band's final moments.

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Photo by Nicole Kuntz

Much Worse started about five years ago and have become mainstays in the local hardcore scene. Sharing members with Frontier, Blue Ox, and Hunter, the four-piece group pulls from a lot of sources, focusing most of their creative output on high octane anger. After playing an August 22nd gig at home, the band packed up their gear for a two-week trek across the country with Brain Tumors. Gimme Noise caught up with their frontman, Max, before they departed to ask how they were preparing for the tour.

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Photo by Tigger Lunney

It's been over a decade since Sean Tillmann adopted his Har Mar Superstar alter ego and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, CA. The Rocky Mountains couldn't separate Tillmann from his musical alumni, however, and he's maintained a prominent role in the local scene, booking shows for Marijuana Deathsquads and appearing with Gayngs in between myriad other projects.

On Saturday August 13, Tillmann will unveil his latest musical project: Charles. Featuring fellow Perpich School of the Arts alumni Jon Kelson and Melinda Parks, the band will share a stage with artists P.O.S., Communist Daughter, Farewell Continental, No Bird Sing, and many more at the annual Pizza Luce Block Party.

Gimme Noise caught up with Tillmann to learn a bit more about his artistic process, how Charles came to be, and his Minnesota lineage.

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Steven Williams is a longtime supporter of local music. In 2001, he started the Mankato-based Init Records to release The Vidablue (later Ten Grand). In the ten years since, the label has relocated to Sioux Falls and has issued a total of 74 releases. While he doesn't play in any bands himself, Williams has a history of zinemaking and booking/promoting shows, including as a co-proprietor of the short-lived Mankato venue Your Mom's. As for Twin Cities groups, Init has released records by POS, Building Better Bombs, Chibalo, Mahkato, and Tora! Tora! Torrance!

At present, Init is preparing the semi-annual Init Fest on July 17th. The festival will include all of the label's Sioux Falls-based bands, including headlining reunions from Sinking Steps Rising Eyes and Castle. Gimme Noise caught up with Williams to talk about the DIY record biz, vinyl production, and sticking to your beliefs as a label owner.

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