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September 2003
« August 2003 | Main | October 2003 »'The M-80 Project': The T.A.M.I. Show of New Wave
Filed under: Imported
The Suburbs playing "Chemistry Set" in The M-80 Project, screening tonight
The stuff of rumor and legend in punk circles for 24 years, The M-80 Project (1979) is finally getting its world premiere tonight, on Wednesday, October 1 at Oak Street Cinema as part of the Sound Unseen music and film festival ($9, 7:30 p.m., with a DJ set by Karrie Vrabel at 7, followed by a Q&A with Paul Stark and Chris Osgood).
Sort of a T.A.M.I. Show of the new wave, this "lost" September 1979 concert film documents the first international festival of the alternative scene--and at just that geeky and awkward moment before music videos, hair gel, and hardcore entered the picture. Many locals remember these nights at the University of Minnesota field house as life-changing, but few of the bands that participated have even seen the raw footage. In the end, the recently reassembled film was able to include only 16 of the 23 bands that played--the rest of the footage was either lost (as in the case of Flamingo) or rendered unusable by age or gliches in the original footage (as with the dB's, who write about the fest on their web site).
But the performances that are there are often astonishing. They include Devo (under their Christian-rock pseudonym, Dove (the Band of Love), and doing music that they barely released elsewhere, if at all), the Suicide Commandos (rendering a breathtaking "Complicated Fun," namesake of this web site), the Suburbs (their freshly composed "Cows"; check out other video samples of their performance at the Suburbs' Twin Tone video page), the Monochrome Set (from the U.K.), Tuxedomoon (San Francisco), the Fleshtones (New York), NNB (um, where were they from again?), and Minneapolis legend Curtiss A, whom I always liked, but until seeing this footage couldn't figure out why he was such as national figure at the time. Oh, and anyone who thinks the Rapture have a new idea should see the Contortions' screaming through a brilliant cover of Chic's "Good Times." I'm jumping up and down as I write this...
Devo: Yes, that's a little boy's mask he's wearing. Yes, they're covering Dylan's Christian period. No, I don't know why...
Speaking over the phone Tuesday, co-producer Chris Strouth says he hopes the movie will come out on DVD some day, but doesn't know where or when it will. He arranged this restoration with star videomaker Rick Fuller, who did the visual transfer and editing. A full audio track of the show exists (the already very good sound I heard on the promo tape was remastered in Hollywood by Bob DaMaa). To narrow down hours of footage, Fuller (who saw the festival) and Strouth called upon a team of experts who were at the event: Drew Miller from Boiled in Lead, John Kass, and Tom Bergland. Judging by the testimony of my colleague Brad Zellar, it was, for many people, their first glimpse of punk rock in Minneapolis.
So where did this footage languish all these years?
Turns out it was sitting in the closet of the director's girlfriend. "Four years ago Lester Square from the Monochrome Set called Tom Bergland about the footage," says Strouth. "Tom was a fan, and at the time if you ever wanted to find any old footage, Tom was the guy. He called me and this was the first time I'd hear about the movie. I was in the third grade when the festival happened. But ever since I was a dorky little punk rock kid, I've been hearing that this was the greatest concert ever.
"Now, unlike anything at the Longhorn Bar, we have these images. You see Curtiss A as this young Jerry Lee Lewis. He's just so fierce. I would have been his biggest fan. And I think if I'd seen NNB when I was younger, they would have changed my life. They were one of the greatest punk bands of all time.
"The footage had been saved by the director's girlfriend in her closet in a bedroom for 20 years. When he moved out of town, he just kind of left it there. She wouldn't give it to anyone without getting the go-ahead from him. Well she called Paul Stark, Stark called us, and we put in numerous calls to the director, who never returned our calls. We've never heard back from him, actually. He's kind of an eccentric.
"My main concern was that the tape was flaking, because 3/4-inch video tape doesn't have an extremely long lifespan. Plus it was taped over Hubert H. Humphrey's funeral and memorial service. So Rick and Jagged Edge did a fair amount of doctoring. They used a lot of image enhancers. They deepened the contrast. We've encoded all 15 hours of the footage that we have, and it's going to sit in a vault at the Minnesota Historical Society."
As with so many Sound Unseen events, a party is involved with this film. From 9 to whenever, an after-party will be held at the downtown Pizza Luce featuring DJs Melissa Maerz and Dolores, with complimentary pizza and beer, 21+, free with festival pass, $5 with film ticket, $10 without film ticket. See you there, or see you at...
'Afro-Punk: The Rock n Roll Nigger Experience'
The same night, coincidentally (and unfortunately, timing-wise), Afro-Punk also premieres, screening before an all-ages concert at the Babylon Cultural Center ($6. 7:00 p.m., 1624 E Lake St, Mpls.; 612.722.5438). This new 75-minute documentary would be rare enough for its subject matter: the experiences of black folks in the American hardcore punk scene. It would also be sought out merely for its amazing live footage of the Iowa City noise-rock band Ten Grand (whose singer Matt Davis, pictured above, died in August 2003 shortly before a planned gig at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis; here's Melissa Maerz's tribute).
But in addition to these assets, Afro-Punk represents the first truly national look at the modern subculture still calling itself DIY punk. (National because it leaves out the U.K., hence Poly Styrene.) Exploring this world through the prism of blackness, Afro-Punk ends up being a tribute to punkness as well. Director James Spooner wisely trains his video camera on unknown fans as well as icons (Fishbone, Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro). He notes hardcore's origins in Bad Brains, lending weight to one interviewee's claim that "punk rock is black music." He skillfully weaves testimony from more than a dozen scenes, never skimping on concert shots and vintage photos. Slowly and subtly, he answers the old and inevitable charge that black punks have somehow made themselves over as white. As one performer puts it, "I don't feel less black because I'm less normal."
To give your own reaction to the movie, go to the film's message board. I was just wondering what JonJon (of Black Corners) thought about it, and I went there and found his reaction.
The movie is followed by a lineup of bands that knew Davis, includes Signal To Trust, Sicbay, and Davis's brother's band the Rickyfitts. For more on the film, visit www.afropunk.com.
What, you want more?
Go see Queens of the Stone Age at the Quest tonight (All ages. $25. 6:00 pm. Wed. Oct 1, 110 5th St N, Mpls.; 612.338.3383)
What can I say? Contrary to what many air guitarists believe, big-riff hard rock is not so damn easy. Otherwise there would be a thousand bands as great as AC/DC. And contrary to what many actual guitarists believe, combining big riffs and big pop isn't easy, either, otherwise there'd be a thousand bands as great as Nirvana. As it is, there are no bands as great as Queens of the Stone Age, at least none that aspire to these twin ideals, and though California's most stoned are neither as funny nor as serious as the above, they're groovier than either, which is why they'll pass the jukebox test (along with the White Stripes) long after most of their peers are an embarrassing memory. With the Distillers and the Millionaires. All ages. $25. 6:00 pm
And here's the Radio K 10th Anniversary Showcase and Party at First Avenue tonight, all night, into the night ($7. 5:00 p.m., Wed. Oct. 1, First Avenue and 7th St. Entry, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612.332.1775)
In 1993 Radio K offered the world of broadcasting the novel and radical notion that you can make hits on AM radio as well as play them--an idea that pumped adrenaline into local music by placing it alongside the national kind, and by treating it all as pop. What binds that principle to tonight's celebration (as well as to the hilarious arcana of Cosmic Slop, the live-local revelations of Off the Record, and to every other great weekly program on KUOM-AM [770]), is listener enthusiasm. So come celebrate your accomplishments at the early all-ages showcase, featuring some of the best bands in town: the Soviettes, Faux Jean, the Psychedelicates, Mike Brady, and the Owls (who keep getting greater and greater). Stay late for the 18+ dance party in the Mainroom, and for the 21+ show in the 7t St. Entry, with Traditional Methods, A-Bomb Nation, Yawo's Afro-Funk Trio, A Whisper in the Noise, and Superhopper.
Sheesh is all of Rocktober going to be like this?
This weekend there's the national, one-of-a-kind Destijl Festival, the future-of-jazz-in-one-piano-player Matthew Shipp, and also the Suburbs (see M-80) doing a benefit for First Avenue (here's why you should care) and a CD-release at the club:
Non-fans can mutter "nostalgia," but the first thing you notice about the revitalized and reunited Suburbs is that they're so much better. Watching them scream through "Chemistry Set" in The M-80 Project, a lost 1979 new-wave concert film that premieres October 1 at Oak Street Cinema, you see cheeky and frenetic poseurs who probably really do "like chemistry and that's about it." Now that they like more in life than chemicals, the older version rocks with newfound self-amazement and heart (not to mention an agile horn section). They bring their kids onstage for a round of "Baby Heartbeat," which might seem a sentimental gesture at first, but it also makes for just plain, screamy-great party music. Friday's early show (with the Phones opening) is a benefit for First Avenue's nonprofit arm, the Developing Arts and Music Foundation. $15 adv / $20 dr / 6 pm / 21+ID. Saturday's early show (with Jessy Greene, as well as Deb Brown and Blonde Faith opening) is a CD release party for a new Suburbs best-of on Beejtar Records, Chemistry Set: Songs of the Suburbs 1977-1987 (which includes a live concert DVD of their October 2002 shows) $15 adv / $20 dr / 6 pm / 21+ID
(Too bad I'm going to sunny, warm California... [cue lull in blog for two weeks]. See you all in winter hell, suckers!)
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 30, 2003 9:07 PM
MCs Come to Battle
Filed under: Imported
Tony Nelson photographs from the September 7, 2003 rap "Showdown" at First Avenue in Minneapolis.
I wrote about the above battle in City Pages this week as part of the 2003 Best New Music Poll (Picked to Click XIII). An excerpt:
"How many of y'all went to a battle before 8 Mile," shouts Kevin Beacham, onstage at First Avenue. The crowd roars for its cred. "That's what I wanted to hear."
Hosted by Beacham, DJ'd by Aaron Money, and organized by Adam Garcia and Abijit (who promote Monday nights at the Loring Pasta Bar), tonight's "Showdown" rap championship has drawn 16 MCs from all over the Midwest and half a dozen judges (including Felipe Cuauhtli from Los Nativos, and Toki Wright). The live instrumental hip-hop group Heiruspecs headline. But it's basically the Fifth Element scene with more pressure.
Ice-Rod is clearly the local favorite, his name yelled the moment he hits the stage. He doesn't win over this audience with rhyme skills, exactly. His high-pitched shout and uncanny bluntness are just stone funny. When one of his opponents dusts off a cliché like "You don't know how to compete with me," Ice-Rod answers, "I don't know how to compete with you/I'll just get on stage and fucking defeat you."
Buddah Tye, who takes the mic with a heavyweight championship belt draped over his shoulder, is just as confident destroying his first opponent: "He ain't 8 Mile, he more like two blocks," the rapper barks. The MC goes on to face Swan, a rapper from Detroit who had the same Afro pick sticking out over his forehead the evening before, at the Fifth Element. Swan has been dropping good one-liners all night, and his battle with Buddah Tye is so close, the judges call for a re-match.
"Dude want to rap but needs to chill," Swan spits, "because this is what size belt he wears for real."
"I may lose some weight, but he can't gain some skills," comes the retort.
In the end, Swan takes the round, and goes on to meet Zach Combs, a.k.a. New MC, who just had the unhappy job of defeating an old crewmate. ("Interlock--he's still repping it," he yelled. "We kicked him out a year ago/he still hasn't accepted it.")
"I'm a rapping butcher," Swan starts. "But why the fuck I got to battle Ashton Kutcher?"
The white boy comes back with an intricate rhyme to the effect that Swan's raps are "premeditated," and that "whatever's in his Afro's fucking with my allergies."
Combs ends up making it to the final round against Wisconsin's Jack Cracker, and wins that one, too, nabbing the $1,500. "This one's from God," he says. "'Cause my brother's going to jail Wednesday and we need the money for him."
As Combs heads offstage, most of the participants join Slug for some freestyling--he's celebrating his birthday. But Swan is obviously still smarting from the loss, and gets in one last jab at Combs. "What the hell/This is obviously a plot to get Kanser's brother out of jail."
Combs yells something back, and a cup of water sails through the air. Swan drops the mic to the stage--clunk--and jumps off, lunging at Combs. A spotlight shoots to the floor, security rushes in. Within a minute, the winner of "Showdown" has been ejected from the premises.
"I'm sorry I snapped off like that," he says outside, looking sheepish.
As Slug talks to Swan near the door of the club, doing some diplomatic work, Heiruspecs' MC Felix takes the mic.
"That's why we keep it onstage," he says.
A woman in the audience shrugs. "That's hip hop."
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 18, 2003 8:55 PM
Your First Avenue stories are in!
Filed under: Imported
Your First Avenue stories are in!
"I thought I was pretty cool, and that I blended in pretty good, until a chick wearing all black and wrapped completely in masking tape from head to toe pointed at me, laughed, and made the "square" sign with her hands." ...READ ALL THE LETTERS HERE.
Also: Chris Riemenschneider's update on First Avenue's recent legal woes (which I reported on here), and Paul Demko's preview of the giant DAMF Benefit Show on Saturday.
See the Black-Eyed Snakes muffuhs!!!!!!!!!!!!! They play Thursday night at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis ('ere's mah plug). But also maybe catch the hot live show by Steve Wynn at the Turf Club if you can somehow be in two places at the same time and bend the reality of the universe to your whim. In that case, I want to hang out with you, anyway.
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 17, 2003 7:55 PM
Amen, Jack.
Filed under: Imported
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 12, 2003 9:42 PM
One sexy bitch, one vote
Filed under: Imported
It's time to vote, kids. Go excercise your hard-won rights and participate in the primary elections on Tuesday, September 9. I'm dead serious.
If you're in Minnesota, go here to find out where, and here to find out how. If you're a Nexis.com subscriber, search for "Primary election and Minnesota and Jerry Blakey" to find the Star Tribune's voter's guide from Friday, which I don't see online anywhere else.
It's also time to make sure your vote matters:
(email from Arise! Resource Center and Bookstore)
Minnesota Marches Against the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Minneapolis
Friday, September 12th; 11:30 A.M. Gather at Peavey Plaza (Between 11th and 12 street on the Nicolett Mall); noon March... READ THE REST HERE.
And speaking of elections:
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 8, 2003 7:52 PM
First Avenue: Urgent assistance kindly requested!
Filed under: Imported
So far, the firstavenuestories@citypages.com address has collected nine great First Avenue stories and three Nigerian spam-emails. Keep 'em coming! I'll start posting reader anecdotes about the legendary Minneapolis nightclub here next week. (For a critical discussion of the article itself, check out this thread at the No Small Compass forum.)
I've also heard complaints about First Avenue. You know: "The DAMF is a huge tax dodge"; "they killed Tuesday Club 241 themselves"; "they don't pay their employees"; etc. Look, I did this piece because First Avenue, whatever its flaws, is an important place, and it would be a collosal loss to this city if it closed. How much of a loss it would be, I hope, is the real theme of the story, not that the club doesn't have problems (I've written about those many times).
Anyway, if you're in Minnesota and feel like dropping by First Avenue again, or for the first time, the early-evening hip-hop MC battle championship on Sunday is a good place to start. (Here's my preview in City Pages, and an article in the Minnesota Daily's newly re-launched A&E section.)
Oh, and the night before, at the Triple Rock, the great Heads and Bodies perform (here's a fun article I did on 'em). I'll miss it 'cause I'm on a hip-hop kick. Sorry Paulie and Carissa, you just ain't down. (By the way, guess whose name appears under "best punk band" in the new Minnesota Music Awards ballot?)
From my plug in City Pages online:
Heads and Bodies CD Release
The way punk should be: no musical rules. The openers are careening pop naturals the Soviettes and hardcore-turned-country kids Anchorhead (each with records you should own). Headlining are Heads and Bodies, whose new debut EP, Ground To Join the Dust, features a climactic melody that lodges in your membrane like good pop. Except the melody isn't a vocal, it's a clarinet, and the band's minor-chord two-bass/three-singer chaos is less like the Ramones at Bar Mitzvah than Slint at the circus. Just trust me on this one. The Voltz warm up.Minnesota Music Awards: Vote Vote Vote
You don't have to go to the award show at O'Gara's Garage on September 24 to vote in them, so join and vote, kid (ballots are due by next Friday)! But honestly, last year's ceremony proper was hilarious good fun. Prince showed up. Mark Baumgarten and I salsa danced. The production values were pristine. The main problem was that none of the nominees were invited...
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 5, 2003 3:42 PM
First Avenue: There's always more to the story...
Filed under: Imported
(headline from "First Love," the City Pages oral history of First Avenue, out today)
Point of trivia: This inside headline of the print edition was actually hand-written by Slug, whom City Pages layout editor Jane Sherman tracked down on Sunday at... First Avenue.
Hey, don't miss all the online exclusives that now accompany the article at citypages.com--delayed until now because, shit, they're practically as long as the cover story.
You will now find:
· a complete "Cast of Characters"
· more stories and images of First Avenue (sampled below)
· a brief interview with the Roots' ?uestlove on his Prince obsession
· plus a total fan-boy interview with Flyte Tyme's Jimmy Jam (pictured above) about his favorite new hits, old memories, and future releases (CJ has since delved into rumors that Flyte Tyme is heading out of town entirely, which Jam denies)
Here are some of the bonus visual materials:
Eric Burdon and War at the Depot, 1970, photographed by Mike Barich
Scenesters at First Avenue, 1986, courtesy of Kathryn Briggs
Advertisement for the Depot, courtesy of the First Avenue Archive and Rebecca Noran
Fishbone at First Avenue, who knows when, photographed by Daniel Corrigan
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 3, 2003 8:37 PM
How racism created "the Minneapolis sound"
Filed under: Imported
From Wednesday's City Pages cover story on First Avenue:
Bobby Vandell, musician: When I was in L.A., "Funkytown" was the number-one hit in America, and I got a call from Steve Greenberg in Minneapolis to come back and tour with Lipps, Inc. live. I called maybe a half-dozen of my friends in Minneapolis to tell them the news, but none of them had heard the record. The reason was that it wasn't on the playlists in Minneapolis, or any of the Top 40 stations. It was too funky, too R&B. They picked it up later, but not for a while.
That's largely why people like Prince and Terry [Lewis] and Jimmy got to where they got, because they weren't able to make this meager living that we made. We could work. The black groups had one of two choices: Either hang it up, or transcend that scene. Move ahead and say, okay, fuck you. You won't let us play your club? We'll own your club. It's a double-edged sword. It was racist, but it kicked a lot of people in the ass.
First Avenue Stories: Now it's your turn.
(Photo of disco dancers at Uncle Sam's circa 1978 by Steve Laboe, courtesy of Rebecca Noran and the First Avenue Archive)
Hey, if you read the new City Pages oral history of First Avenue and said, "Crap, they left out the best part," now's your chance to air your own stories about the most storied Minneapolis nightclub. Email them to firstavenuestories@citypages.com with your name and phone number for verification, and I'll post them on this page (http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/firstavenuestories), provided they aren't, you know, false and malicious. For ideas, check out the club's own story pages here. Give us your tired jokes, your dirt, your rants about the greatest club in the world that won't burn or die.
Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 2, 2003 6:40 PM
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