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The rise and fall of a chubby sex-cult leader.
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Tom was a hot-tempered cross-dresser with a garage full of guns--and then he became Rachel.
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The Fight for Texas
Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison are locked in a battle over the soul of the GOP. They're also running for governor.
By Sam Merten

March 2004

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I Hate 1984: 'V: The Final Battle'

Filed under: Imported

by Stephanie Carver

I first started having alien sex fantasies at age eight. No, just kidding. The alien sex fantasies were more a part of my early teens. In 1984, V: The Final Battle produced my very first feelings of arousal, and created a link between that arousal and fear. I was just a little too young to remember the original 1983 V: The Miniseries that spawned the sequel. The scene I remember most from V: The Final Battle is that of a naked woman taking a shower. You can see the blurry outline of her body through the shower door and the doughy whiteness of her skin. When I first tried to recall the actual V storyline, it was only that image my memory was able to return to. Looking back, I think that she was either showering so that the aliens could have a "clean" specimen to examine or else she had just finished having sex with one of them.

At eight, sexual morality a la Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes (CCD) had infected me enough so that I felt it was wrong for me to look at her. However, I could not stop myself from looking at the woman's naked body. I wished very much that the shower door didn't make her outline so blurry. I squirmed and made sure to make gagging noises with the appropriate fervor so as not to expose my secret crush to my brother, who usually watched the show with me. I was terrified of the Visitors. The Visitors ate hamsters and rats. fuzzy little creatures that I liked a lot. I sat rigid and saucer-eyed, barely breathing. It's pretty normal that the lack of oxygen, fear, and arousal combination would spill over into a grown-up love of horror movies, no? I go to scary movies all the time trying to recapture those special V-like feelings. The only times I've felt any remote V-like quivers have been in the movies Memento and The Mothman Prophecies.

My father is a well-regarded member of The SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Project. Maybe for that reason, aliens have always felt very real to me. Not real as in currently walking among us just real as in floating around waiting to probe us. Interestingly, the V fear/arousal feelings never spilled over into sadomasochism just horror movies. Maybe if I'd watch more Bambi or The Fox and the Hound I could have grown up to be a plushy. Ah, if only to have those crucial formative years back.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 31, 2004 9:50 AM

I Hate 1984: Van Halen's '1984'

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The Working Dirtball's California Dreams

by G.R. Anderson, Jr.

Part One

The first album out of the gate in 1984 was, quite literally, Van Halen's 1984. In a brilliant piece of marketing strategy, it was released on New Year's Eve day (December 31, 1983), jumping ahead of the pack for the pop onslaught that was to come for the next 12 months or so. Of course, some of the big hits that year came from records that were released earlier--Michael Jackson's Thriller was in the middle of a long squat on the top of the Billboard album charts--but Van Halen managed to stake a claim on that year like no other band.

Sales savvy aside, there was an accidental feel to the record's success, especially its domination on the singles chart. Think about it: The first single, "I'll Wait" died quickly and quietly, only to be replaced by "Jump," an obnoxious piece of synth rock that actually hit number one on the strength of a video shot with a handheld camcorder by the band's drummer, Alex Van Halen. His brother Eddie was evidently stoned in the clip, frontman David Lee Roth was so full of hubris that he looked like he was coming back to fuck your sister again while bassist Michael Anthony was quietly raiding your parents' liquor cabinet. Or your beer stash. Whatever.

The point is, there was no reason for Van Halen to rise in the height of the pastel Reagan era. What started as a working-class band from Southern California had put out five platinum records with marginal singles chart action and no critical acclaim. It's tough to imagine now, but they were the leaders of a rock underworld--the Atomic Punks, as Diamond Dave proclaimed on Van Halen I--that had far more to do with a punk/immigrant entrepreneurship than Madonna's bustier. Don't believe me? The cost of the "Jump" video: $100. The song roosted at number one for most of the spring.

In other words, the dirtballs triumphed. This was not lost on me as I hit the parking lot my first day of high school, as a freshman, and hung out with leather-jacketed dudes in vo-tech who skipped class smoking bowls and Marlboros on the hoods of their Impalas, Cameros and Skylarks. They blasted 1984; and they were happy for the attention. I was a shade over 5 feet tall, and 97 pounds with my braces, and wore a button-down Oxford with a red argyle crewneck. I knew Van Halen intimately. They welcomed me immediately.

Part Two

I suppose I should talk a bit about the music. But let me start by saying too much has been said about the "Orwellian" title, 1984. Roth is erudite enough--he once quipped that most metalheads understood Voltaire to be a kind of air conditioner--but I'm pretty sure nobody in the band thought much about the implications of the name of the record. They were too focused on the rock.

Ted Templeman, the band's producer during the golden age of VH--those first six records with Roth as the lead singer are still somehow underrated--told Rolling Stone years ago that the band was "balls to the wall" while recording 1984, and it shows. The purists derided the keyboard intro of the titular track, and the wussy flava of "Jump" to boot. ("I'll Wait" was another keyboard song, and that's why it failed at first. It was later re-released as the album's fourth single to hit the top 20.)

But the purists were missing the point; the Halen boys weren't out to follow a trend so much as subvert it. And they did that with "Panama," which followed "Jump" on the record and as a single.

Now this was a revelation: Never had such a woozy combo of California burgers and cheap beer come out of my AM radio or my brand-spanking maroon Walkman. "Panama" made me feel drunk for the first time, dovetailed the band's pop sensibilities with the urge to fucking rock, and generally obliterated the misgivings anyone might have had about "Jump." (Itself a piece of unparalleled songcraft, if you could get past the sellout of it all.)

Best of all, it made no fucking sense. I defy anyone to explain to me what the hell "Panama" means. No matter: Once you've seen an arena of 14,000 people pumping their fists and yelling the chorus (oh, just do it now), you understand pretty much everything about how the rock universe works. Is that Dave's scream or Eddie's guitar? What the hell kind of time signature is Alex playing? And what's that "hairblower" sound in the bridge? (Answer: One of Eddie's Lamborghinis, close-miked, revving in neutral-so much for working class.) Ease the seat back indeed.

"Panama" remains one of Van Halen's--and one of pop's--best works of art. That it was played incessantly on top 40 radio slays me to this day.

Where do you go from here? The rest of the record is not my favorite Van Halen record (that distinction belongs to the still-frightening and oh-so-naughty Women and Children First), nor does it carry the headbanging legend of Van Halen I. But it is, objectively, the quintessential Van Halen record, and that's why it's sold more that 10 million copies since it was released.

The blues-boogie of "Top Jimmy," an ode to an L.A. club rat, follows "Panama," underscoring the band's street cred. Then comes "Drop Dead Legs," my favorite song on the album, which features Beatles harmonies over a stripper's chicka-boom-and the kind of melodic guitar work that Hendrix, even Hendrix, couldn't have pulled off.

Side Two (vinyl or cassette, downloaders) starts with the obscene rumble of "Hot for Teacher," a bombast that has spawned countless similarly themed porn Web sites, leading to "I'll Wait," the best power ballad this side of "Dream On," and nearly culminates with "Girl Gone Bad," the most audacious song ever written about a nubile Sunset Strip hooker.

The whole shebang ends with "House of Pain," a song that the band had been playing since its backyard kegger-party days of 1973, and foretells an impending doom. About 18 months after he laid down the final vocals for lyrics he had at hand for a decade, Diamond Dave quit the band.

Part Three

But none of this comes close to what 1984 actually meant. There was the most expensive and highest grossing tour ever mounted (at the time) in the wake of the record. There was Diamond Dave doing an interview on the fledgling Entertainment Tonight in bed, with an acoustic guitar on his lap and a busty blonde on each side. There was, of course, the thrill of hearing 'Hot for Teacher' next to Cyndi Lauper's "She Bop" on KDWB, and what that did to the pre-adolescent mind at the time I can't even tell you.

But I'll try. For me, the magic of Van Halen is found in the cover art for 1984, a coy angel that looks a little like Eddie and a little like Dave, mischievously stealing a smoke on a well-earned break from piety. (Roth yelping "Class dismissed" and "Oh my god" at the end of 'Hot for Teacher' nicely married the secular and non-secular in one stroke.) It's sinful, it's delightful, it's pretty much how everybody should feel listening to a Van Halen record. It's pure escape.

But more than that, it's a crucial part of the long-running narrative of California dreamin? The Beach Boys get credit for inventing it, and Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles honed it. Van Halen basically reinvented it, filling a void and paving the way for the Minutemen, The Chili Peppers, and even Tupac. Nada Surf and The OC wouldn't exist without VH. When I was a kid, I wanted to move to southern California just so I could live in Van Halen's world--the ocean, the beach, the riffs, the girls. It never happened.

Forgive me for a minute, as I'm suffering a hangover from still foolishly chasing the California dream. I just spent a week in L.A., and didn't hear one single Van Halen song. I stayed with my friend, whom I half-jokingly call Diamond Dave, and we always used to talk about turning on the Van Halen frequencies. It never happened.

But I felt it anyway: the never-ending party, the false bravado, the general good times of what Van Halen had hatched. But it was so 20 years ago; all I had was my imagination, and even Los Angeles doesn't want Van Halen anymore. They were once hometown heroes there, you know.

As I write this, there's talk of a Van Halen reunion tour with--blech--Sammy Hagar fronting the band. This is not the kind of thing that moves me: Hagar, after all, replaced Roth, and shut the door on everything that Van Halen was about. Songs became about love and commitment, loyalty and service; nothing about indulgence, sex, and drugs. Hagar made the band grow up, and because of this, ensured that Van Halen would become humorless and irrelevant. The workingman's escape had been co-opted into the myth of marital bliss. Fuck that. They might as well be John Mayer. (Roth, on the other hand, god bless him, has managed to get a bit part on The Sopranos. This seems significant to me.)

There's plenty of folks in the know who dismiss Van Halen outright, but they're simply snobs. For a while there, with Roth, Ed, Al and Mike were the best band on the face of the earth. They were the Beatles of metal, and in one California fall they made a defining record that, with any justice, will be seen on a par with Pet Sounds, Rumors, or Nevermind. 1984 combines all of those records, and it blows them all away.

But that was the point. Make an untouchable record, crash the top 40 party, steal the chicks and the beer, and get out. And that's what happened. Score one for the dirtballs.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 30, 2004 12:06 AM

I Hate 1984: 'The Terminator'

Filed under: Imported

by Joseph Golden

When James Cameron was directing Piranha Part Two: The Spawning (check it out, it's better then you'd think), goes the anecdote, it was rumored that the investors where so unhappy with his progress, they were going to yank him. To finish under budget, ahead of schedule, and hopefully still employed, Cameron filmed during the day and snuck back into the studios at night to edit the day's work. This stress, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation left him hallucinatory, punch-drunk, and prone to waking nightmares where an unstoppable cyborg killing machine from the future hunted him relentlessly.

That something worthwhile came out of the thankfully short-lived Piranha franchise is a shock only topped by the fact that The Terminator (and its unthankfully long-lived franchise) was nothing more then a byproduct, a happy, career-cementing, icon-creating, multibillion-dollar accident. The script (like a machine itself) would be a work in progress for years, refined, reedited, toned down, built up, until finally it was the leanest, tightest most efficient product it could be: a pre-post-apocalyptic retroactive abortion sci-fi concept pushing every character in the movie into the worst 24 hours they had ever experienced. (Even the time-travel angle and all the headaches such overthinking induces are shouted down by Kyle Reese in the police interrogation room, when Dr. Pullover V-Neck Sweater starts asking technical questions of our handcuffed hero, who screams, �I don�t know! I didn�t build the fucking thing!� It's as if Cameron were screaming at the eggheads in the audience, �This is as thinky as it gets so shut up and enjoy the wound effects!�).

Every boy I grew up with ached to be suicide commando Kyle Reese (life-sized adventure person Michael Biehn, in a role that would lock him into a lifetime of short-cropped hair and Kevlar), with his puppy-love crush and his masterful control of a 12 gauge. Linda Hamilton�s proto-slacker Sarah Connor (Hamilton, at the time a complete unknown who was probably hired on the spot at her audition the second Cameron saw her soul-dead eyes) would lay the ground work for every woman I would every find attractive: foot-soldier waitress job, shitty taste in men, and a slutty roommate. The relationship between the two heros and their unborn son is a Moebius strip of Military hierarchy and family dynamics: My commanding officer is my-older-then-me son, my baby�s daddy hasn�t been born yet. All these are the treats of a movie made by a man who knew the best shit happened offscreen (a future war that you only get a brief and almost spoiling glimpse of, a military commander and world-saver who is only talked of and never seen, Arnold yanking some hippie away from the public phone to get to the phone book�-the punchline of the scene not his single minded intent or brutality, but the hippie in the background whining, �Hey, man. You got a serious attitude problem.�)

All Cameron�s instincts and patience would be literally blown away by the next two should-have-never-been sequels in which Sarah Connor would become a psychotic Contra and then an offscreen victim of a heart attack or something; John Connor would become the irritating Edward Furlong and then the forgettable Nick Stahl; the villain would become the admittedly cool Robert Patrick, with his boy-next-door-serial killer appeal, and then some supermodel whose name I never learned how to read let alone spell; and Arnold would become increasingly bored and very, very rich.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 29, 2004 3:26 AM

I Hate 1984: An introduction

Filed under: Imported

I was 14 for ten months and seven days of 1984, which tells you about all you need to know. I hated 1984 toward the end. The year before I had become a punk rocker at Marquette Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin, which was cool. I remember being outside on the grass during gym class, and somebody giving me shit about my hair, calling me Frankenstein, and then another girl saying shut up, he's dressing punk. Once people knew what I was, they respected it. And we were in 8th grade, so there was no one older than us to beat us up or enforce the rules.

Then I entered my Freshman year at East High School near the Oscar Mayer factory, big and anonymous and working-class, where you could get seriously hurt for looking weird. I had painful acne, and at home my brothers and my sister were joining me in moody adolescence. Hating Reagan and loving music brought us together, actually, corny as that sounds. Our Episcopal church had given sanctuary to Central American refugees, whose torture scars we could see if they let us, so our family was solidly for Mondale/Ferraro, and the parents (it's complicated, but I have four of them) didn't object when the kids walked out of school to protest Apartheid.

I distinctly remember my stepmom, Peg, whose church we attended, buying us these albums to share for Christmas: Cyndi Lauper's She So Unusual, Madonna's Like a Virgin, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A., Chaka Khan's I Feel For You, Van Halen's 1984, and Prince's Purple Rain. This was back when buying records was a big investment for me, so getting all this music at once was a big deal. Meanwhile, through my friend in punk rock, Joel, I had gotten into the Replacements' Let It Be, the Minutemen's Double Nickels on the Dime, and Husker Du's Zen Arcade, all in a matter of weeks, come to think of it. The last of those became my first record review in the high school newspaper, for a senior named Ruth Conniff, who later became an editor at The Progressive.

So it was the year I had to show my ugly adolescent body, naked and shivering, to fellow high-school showerers during health class (where bathing after activities was required). But it was also the year I saw Apollonia naked on the big screen, and the year I began to see some of her voluptuousness in the new wave girls around me. This was the year my classmates literally cheered Reagan's reelection as the news broke (with more than a little melodramatic self-pity, I found myself empathizing with Winston Smith in Orwell's 1984, which I was reading around that time.) But it was also the year that radical, political punk rock produced its greatest art.

I hate 1984 today because it makes all the other years look bad. Not that I haven't felt much, much better in the two decades since, or that things around me have particularly gotten worse. (Communism left, the Bush clan stayed, and we've still got a bomb and could all die here today.) But I've never been so fully engaged in popular culture as I was in that lonely year. Which is to say, I've never enjoyed the culture as fully through my family, and through the friends I call family. I'll never forget watching The Terminator with my brother Matt and my stepdad, Tom, groaning "Arnold" at the screen and getting the whole theater to do the same. (My friend from well before those years, Joseph Golden, reviews the movie on Monday.) I'll never forget my sister, Jenna (then J.J.), and a bedroom full of her friends singing "Darling Nikki" together at the top of their lungs. (Tipper Gore was right.) I'll never forget my mom's enthusiasm for the Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense movie, or her patience when I tried to convince her that the Minutemen were great even though they couldn't sing. You lose some of this familial perspective when you go off to make your way in the world, and now I remember with fondness my dad's system of preferential voting for what movies we would go see as a family, and the one we all agreed about afterwards: Sixteen Candles. Things I took for granted at the time, like my brother Ben's martial arts moves, that seriousness on his face, the way a news segment about him on local TV used The Karate Kid theme--these are now some of my fondest memories.

I could also talk about the sex I wasn't having, or the first girlfriend I never tongue kissed, or the sexual tension so overworked I'm amazed I didn't jump the girl with the pink, gelatin hair the moment she threw on some Culture Club and threw me on her bed. (I ran out of there, no regrets.)

But I've embarassed myself enough for one introduction. That's right, this is the beginning of a Complicatedfun.com series: a month of tributes to 1984 starting Monday. And I have to head out of town now. So my thanks to blogger extraordinaire Brad Zellar for posting items by various contributors while I'm away. My thanks to those contributors, who kicked ass without any real help from me. And my thanks to you, whom I hope will contribute in the way of some stray memories of your own. You have my email. Last but most, my thanks to Lars Larson of D.U. Nation for designing the cool and hilarious "I Hate 1984" parody logos free of charge. This blog is starting to feel like a real zine, which is what I always hoped it would be.

Now let's go crazy.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 26, 2004 3:19 AM

Hot for Teacher423423423

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Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 26, 2004 2:39 AM

Jam Master Jay

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Beat Bop

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Molly Ringwald111

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AMH222

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AMH111

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Van Halen111

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The Terminator111

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Stop Making Sense111

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1984 book jacket

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Apple ad11

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V the final battle111

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84 logo Apollonia

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Run-DMC

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Breakin 222

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hagar22

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Sammy Hagar

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Double Nickels cover11

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84 logo V

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84 logo 16 candles

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84 logo 16 candles

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84 logo Sade

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84 logo poster

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84 logo Madonna

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84 logo prince

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stupid white men

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Movies, my cathedral

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How great is My Architect? If it's any indication, tickets for Saturday's screening at Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis, featuring the film's director appearing in person, have already sold out. (It closes the month-long Twin Cities Festival of Festival of Jewish Film, which also screens a film I'd love to see tonight at 7:00 p.m., at Willow Creek Theaters, Rosenstrasse, though here are Noel Murray's misgivings.) My Architect opens a week later at Landmark, so don't fret. Meanwhile, here's my review of the Academy Award-nominated film, including my interview with director Nathaniel Kahn.

The Riot Auteur Remembered

I Was a Teenage Serial Killer was riot grrrl's shining moment in movies, a brilliant 1993 no-budget short about bloody revenge against sexist assholes. It felt as immediate and raw and funny as the Bikini Kill music on the soundtrack. ("Feels Blind," from the band's debut cassette.) The woman who made it, Sarah Jacobson, died in February, and fellow onetime Minnesotan Laura Sinagra remembered her a few weeks ago in City Pages, with a mention of this article and message board at IndieWire. For those too young to have been there, riot grrrl is more than a memory today: Drive to Chicago's Estrojam September 23-26 to see what I mean.

The Cinematic Griot Remembered

Jean Rouch, the father of cinéma vérité, also died in February. Not to be cavalier or callous, but that's how I want to go: crashing a Mercedes at age 86 in a remote desert of Niger, though of course without severely injuring my wife in the process.

I don't have time to do Rouch's work justice except to say that the "reality" media he birthed would benefit now, morally and commercially, from his insistence that the camera was always an instrument of provocation, never just, or even, an objective observer. He was the first documentary director to keep putting the documentary director onscreen, demystifying the process in ways more entertaining than the phrase suggests.

He was also an energetic ethnographic filmmaker who loved West Africa (they called him a cinematic griot), and was a principle influence on Godard and Martin Scorsese (see American Boy for the obvious homage of style). Rouch's 1961 classic Chronique d'un ete ("Chronicle of a Summer"), a sort of nonfiction counterpart to The Battle of Algiers (see below), changed my life and many others. Check out this Rouch tribute at the Keywords blog, this item at IndieWire, this Low Culture piece, and my interview with the great nonfiction filmmaker Heddy Honigmann, who predictably adored Rouch:

...Honigmann identifies Rouch's 1965 ethnographic study of bow hunters in West Africa, Hunting the Lion With Bow and Arrow, as one of her favorite movies. The scene she singles out reveals something about her philosophy. "The tribe he's filming with meets another tribe," she says, "and the chief turns to the camera and says to the other chief, 'I want to present you Mr. Rouch: He's chasing the lion with us.' I'll never forget that moment! He was in. He was totally in."

Har Mar Movie Star

I finally saw the Har Mar Superstar dance-off with Ben Stiller in the Starsky & Hutch movie, and it's the best thing in it. I'd already seen Har Mar/Sean Tillman in another, considerably smaller film this summer (forget the name, but it was local: He played a one-night-stand lover picked up in the Clown Lounge). He has a genuine charisma and presence that has nothing to do with his at-a-glance resemblance to Ron Jeremy. His voice is nothing like the porn star's, and his eyes are happier than Jeremy's, too. He always seems to be having a better time than he lets on.

Not that I blame Terri Sutton's review for passing mention on him: I blame her review for implying that the movie is funny and offensive. It's neither.

The Battle Over the Battle of Algiers

Speaking of offensive, Matthew Wilder's review of 1965's The Battle of Algiers is beautifully put, right about the movie (which opens at the Uptown tomorrow), and as facile as I feared in equating the terrorists of Algeria, Palestine, and Iraq.

I've experienced this kind of shudder before. About a month after September 11, 2001, Oliver Stone called the mass murders of that day a "revolt" and announced to the New York Film Festival audience that he'd be willing to remake The Battle of Algiers (as reported by Rob Nelson and many others) in light of recent events. I've since heard from a friend of Stone's that this wasn't the director's best week. But even to make a passing connection between Al Qaida and the FLN strikes me as something more than a messy mood.

Christopher Hitchens was on that same panel, and has since pointed out the differences between Iraq and Algeria to anyone on the left still reading him. (Even if you regard the selling off of Iraq with horror, as I do, the question remains: What, exactly, do people murdering their fellow citizens in hopes of fomenting sectarian civil war have in common with people murdering mostly foreigners to oust a colonial occupier with no announced intentions of leaving?)

But Hitchens's argument itself brings up why I have qualms about the film, even if I once agreed with Wilder's sentiment that "Surely The Battle of Algiers is the greatest political movie ever made." I mean, what does that phrase mean, anyway? "Greatest political movie." The only "politics" that Gillo Pontecorvo shows us is violence, and the "revolution" that so fired the imagination of a young Hitchens is dramatized almost purely in violent terms. You would never guess, from this film, that heroism or planning or adventure went into the popular street demonstrations that eventually dumped the French out of Algeria, the protests that close the film. This was the real revolution, but it's included almost as an afterthought, and framed as a mysterious and spontaneous response to the violence we've seen. (It's like an exact inversion of the great Madison '60s Vietnam protest documentary The War At Home, which ends with an act of domestic terrorism that all but killed the local movement. I shuddered again when local antiwar activists showed this film at the U of M after September 11.)

Here's an alternate nomination for "greatest political movie ever made": the Eyes on the Prize documentary series on PBS, both parts, from the 1980s, which richly deserve a DVD re-release. These shows aren't really a movie, per se, but they have the momentum and look of cinema (you can check them out at the library), and show the thought and work and passion of the struggle for black freedom in America in the 1960s. That's politics to me.

Always Coming Back Home to You

Random notes before I leave town: Too sick to attend Eyedea's CD-release shows, I heard him on Saturday's 2 The Break-A-Dawn playing music by his old hero Sess, the late St. Paul rapper whom many consider the best Minnesota MC ever. (Read about him here, here, and here.) Do yourself a favor, and listen halfway through the show at KFAI audio archives, available for another week. Maybe Rhymesayers will re-release these old recordings someday, but for now,this is the only place to hear them. Despite the venue's treatment of my old pal Nick Nice, I'm going to go see Eyedea and Abilities at Club Majestic in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, April 3. It's the first rap show I've seen there, and completes a weird circle: I got my first job there back when it was a movie theater in the Landmark chain. Here's a blog titled "God Loves Ugly" by a guy calling himself Atmospheric Yoj. The secret history of how Cadillacs went hip-hop, from the L.A. Times car critic. (Thanks to The Cyclops.) Eminem's little brother's web site Aaron Money on rap words that should die. Has anyone read the hardcopy of this? Where do I buy it? Still gotta tape Prince on VH1. Apparently, Prince's live concert in Los Angeles on March 29 is screening live in area multiplex theaters, at 10:00 p.m. Central Time, for... $17.50!?! If you like rip-offs, click here. Buy Michaelangelo Matos's book on Sign 'O the Times. The death of a Dead Milkman. American Idle brings us next month's issue of Martha Stewart Living. My friend Jessica wrote this great email weeks ago about how a lot of people are devastated by the transit strike, and she's more right the longer we wait. Go to the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival April 2-17

I'm also going to the Wisconsin Film Festival April 1-4

See you soon.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 25, 2004 4:15 AM

We can't wait

Filed under: Stories

From ComplicatedFun.com, an open letter from my friend Jessica:

Imagine they closed the freeways and stopped selling gas

Hello,

I am writing in regards to the current transit workers strike. For people like myself who have built a life where, with the bus system, we have no need for a car on a daily basis, the current bus strike is quite devastating. Friends and coworkers are left scrambling for rides, many students at the University are missing classes because they cannot afford to take cabs or can't find people to help them get home, from night classes in particular. Meanwhile, I've been told some groups close to legislators are suddenly saying, "Well, it looks like everyone is doing fine, why do we even need a bus system?"

We need a bus system because for students, people without cars, and elderly citizens without the financial or physical means to own or operate a car, thousands are left stranded. For those with cars, imagine one day they just closed all the freeways or stopped selling gasoline for an undetermined amount of time. No doubt you would be mortified! How would you get to work, buy groceries, get to appointments? Who in their right mind would think it is acceptable to compromise your needs like that?

This is how crippled we, who count on these buses like others count on their cars, are every day this strike continues. However they decide to finance the situation, public transportation is crucial to any growing metropolitan area. In all my travels, the Twin Cities already has the most struggling and insufficient public transportation for our need and climate. But to just forget about this, to drop it all together, to disregard the thousands of people affected my this strike? A wait for a taxi in the Twin Cities was already sometimes up to one hour before the strike and to take a cab from my house to downtown, less than a handful of miles away, costs more than $10. One way. A ride to and from downtown costs almost as much as it does to fill a car's gas tank. A ride to the airport costs more than $30 one way.

Without public transportation the highways are already even more congested. Some people are driving from one suburb to another with a private bus system to avoid driving and trying to find already sparse affordable parking downtown. Telling everyone to carpool is not enough. You can't carpool to a doctor's appointment. You can't carpool when your class runs late and your ride has to get home to their family. Tuition at the University has nearly doubled in the last few years. Students need an affordable and reliable way to school. And those without cars, generally those with disabilities or low income issues, have suffered enough.

There is no reason you should be "forced" to own a car in a major metropolitan area. We cannot wait almost three weeks like we did for the last strike in 1995 to be resolved. Please help.

Sincerely,

Jessica Hampton

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 25, 2004 3:59 AM

Minneapolis St. Paul festival

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 25, 2004 3:28 AM

Wisconsin Film Festival logo111

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 25, 2004 3:25 AM

Battleposter

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 25, 2004 2:21 AM

Rouch film11

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 25, 2004 12:27 AM

Shattered Glass

Filed under: Imported

I finally got around to seeing Shattered Glass, which feels kind of like the ultimate horror film for journalists. It's a thriller, actually, and one so effective, I immediately read a bunch of things about it: a review of Glass's book by a friend, a review of the film by that friend's husband, a blog at the New Republic,. Shattered Glass casts overly competitive ambition as a possible enemy of journalism, which sits well with me. But it also calls into question something that hits me closer to home: the tendency of writers to emotionalize their relationships with editors, to apologize and display angst as a way of gaining sympathy in lieu of respect. I don't know if every writer has been there, but I have, and I'm glad to say I've mostly changed my ways. Most of that angst was a waste of time, anyway. Still, few of us have ever gone to the extremes of pathological self-delusion dramatized in Shattered Glass.

http://www.shatteredglassmovie.com/index_flash.html

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 24, 2004 10:19 PM

My Architect

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 24, 2004 9:25 PM

28 Days Later: Rock&roll March 24-April 21

Filed under: Imported

The Distillers at The Quest April 17

I'm on vacation as of Friday for two weeks, but Complicatedfun.com will continue without me, with tributes to 1984 pop culture written by various friends and posted in my absence by Brad Zellar. In the meantime, here's a tentative schedule of what looks fun in Minneapolis and St. Paul over the next four weeks, drawn from these essential sources: the Twin Cities Alternative Shows List, the D.U. Nation hip-hop calendar, and the City Pages A-List and Calendar.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

PICK The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers. 6:30 p.m., VIKING BAR 1829 Riverside Ave, Mpls., 612.332.4259 I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, Tyler Keith, Sluthumper. $5. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Tiffany ("yes, that Tiffany") 18+. $15/$17. 8:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Soul Smooth with DJ Nikoless, 9:30 P.M. 21+ King and I Thai, FREE! Datura 1.0, Fadladder, Samsa, Panzram. All ages. $5. 8:00 p.m., ACADIA CAFE & CABARET THEATER, 1931 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls., 612.874.8702 TRANSFOMERS, Written by Daviná Stewart; performed by Daughters of the Diaspora, March 24 - March 28, 2004, Wednesdays through Sunday, 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 p.m. Matinee, $15 ($12 in advance), Post Show Discussions: Friday and Saturday, March 26 & March 27, Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 South 4th Street (West Bank), Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-228-6131, Tru Ruts Media Center. SARA WEDDINGTON, 7:30 p.m. speaking at Willey Hall at the U of M. She was the winning attorney in the landmark Roe v. Wade case. MENAGE A TWANG, "The Chex Party Mix Of Americana," Lee's Liquor Lounge, Glenwood and 11th St, Mpls, Music @ 9:15 Free

THURSDAY, MARCH 25

PICK 25 Suaves, Demolition Dollrods, the Bleeding Hickeys, the Fucking Americans. $6. 9:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 PICK The Art of City Pages opening: Covers from the last 25 years at Calhoun Square across from Kitchen Window, will be on display for free at Calhoun Square through April 22; I'm assuming there's booze. PICK The MPLS LTD Travel Companion CD-Release Show. Featuring Samarah, the Chris Danforths, the Flavor Crystals, Seakn Conrad, DJs Christian Fritz, Jerome Reading. $5. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Kweller, +/- All ages. $15. 5:00 p.m. FIRST AVENUE 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 . TC Muzique featuring Best Fight Story. Live broadcast of the Channel 17 show. Free. 8:00 p.m. MTN STUDIOS, 125 SE Main Street, Mpls., 612.331.8575 Sandor Szabo & Tim Sparks 730 P.M. Cedar Cultural Center ALL-AGES $14/16 The Liquid Kids, Johnnyrook, Blue Shift, Pseudosmile 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club 18+ $5/8 DUTTY VIBEZ, Dancehall For The People...Real Caribbean Vibez...9:00 P.M. 21+, First Avenue (VIP Room), $3 (9p.m. - 11p.m.), $6 (11p.m. - 2am), Birthdays & Members Free +3 Hydrophonics w/ TBA, 9:00 P.M., 21+, The Rox, St.Cloud, MN Done Delicious (featuring, from Amsterdam, March and Murmur), 9:00 P.M. 21+, The Kitty Cat Klub, $3.00

FRIDAY, MARCH 26

PICK Harvey Pekar, author and subject of American Splendor (here's his blog), speaks in the Coffman Memorial Union theatre (UM-Minneapolis campus) at 12:00 P.M. PICK So Fox performs on Radio K (KUOM-AM 770 & KUOM-FM 106.5), as this week�s guest on "Off The Record," with hosts Adam and Keri, 4:00 p.m. PICK The Honeydogs (CD release), Michael Penn, High Heels, Punch the Clock 5 P.M. First Avenue $8/10 PICK The Modey Lemon, The Apes, The Gris Gris. This showcase for San Francisco's Birdman Records label (see Static Taxi and Paula Frazer) features three unusually good "the" bands in varying states of psych-punk arousal, but the similarities end there: The Apes are violently funky, organ-powered originals from Washington, D.C. (great live show); the Gris Gris (with Greg Ashley) are finding their voice, but rocket from their tomb in Oakland with an eclecticism that's pure 1975 punk; the Pittsburgh headliners match fuzztones with riffs so primitive, they must have studied like pre-meds to get this stupid. $8. 10:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 A Prairie Home Companion Friday Night Preview Mar. 26 (non-broadcast performances, tickets available at Fitzgerald box office and through Ticketmaster) Dying Fetus, the End, Creeping Charlie. All ages. $10. 5:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Midnight Evils, Cave Music, Diplomats of Solid Sound, Ed Gein Fanclub. $6. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Holy Cowboys, Malachi Constant, TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 West Side. (Drop by between sets at the Turf Club, you'll be glad you did.) 9:30 p.m., ARNELLIA'S, 1183 University Ave W, St. Paul, 651.642.5975 Martin Zellar & the Hardaways, Kory & the Fireflies. $11/$13. 8:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Umbrella Sequence, Faux Jean 9 P.M. Uptown Bar O.F. Band, For Pete's Sake 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 Edupoetic "Patriotic Duty" CD signing and free show, 5:00 P.M., All Ages, Borders Bookstore (Block E) Minneapolis, FREE! Pleasure Pause, 8:00 P.M., 21+, 5 Corners, $5.00 Dean Macgraw, Jim Anton, J.T. Bates. $10. 9:00 p.m., ARTISTS' QUARTER, 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359 The Delcounts, FRIDLEY CRAB HOUSE MUSIC CAFE, 6161 Hwy 65 NE (Central Ave), Fridley, 763.571.3444 Dan K CD-Release Party, O'GARA'S GARAGE 164 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 651.644.3333 In Pictures, Down Like Velvet, NASA. $5. 8:00 p.m., 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 PETERSON FAMILY HOMETOWN BENEFIT CONCERT $15-$25. 7:30 p.m.. For tickets call 612.861.9385. Richfield High School Auditorium, 7001 Harriet Ave, Richfield. Flaneur Productions presents BLACK DIAMOND BABY or the voice of the volcano, a new play written and directed by Jim Bovino, Featuring: Christian Gaylord, Don Mabley-Allen, Cherri Macht, Barbara Meyer, Original soundtrack and graphic design by Rich Barlow, at Brainco, 2900 Aldrich Avenue South, Thursdays-Saturdays, March 11-March 27 $10 for more information call 612.822.6395

SATURDAY, MARCH 27

PICK Josh Ritter, Haley Bonar. $10. 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 Fifth Element Open Mic & Instore w/ Immortal Technique, 6:00 P.M., All Ages, Fifth Element, FREE! Tina & the Salvation Band, Scott Laurent Band $7. 8:30 p.m., CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 Old Time Relijun, Signal to Trust, Eufio 9 P.M. The Haunted House ALL-AGES $5 Big Ditch Road. $5, LEE'S LIQUOR LOUNGE, 101 Glenwood Ave N (at 11th St), Mpls., 612.338.9491 Jack Knife & the Sharps. Lazy Ike, MAYSLACK'S MUSIC LOUNGE, 1428 4th St NE, Mpls., 612.789.9862 Folk singer Mike Gunther, singer-songwriter Marlee McLeod on the Rhubarb Show, Garrison Keillor's new, "after show" cabaret for A Prairie Home Companion, with separate tickets available at Fitzgerald box office and through Ticketmaster, Fitzgerald Theatre, 10 East Exchange St., St. Paul MN, All ages 651-999-1099 The Bill Mike Band, Cowboy Curtis, the Monarques. 18+. 8:00 p.m., WHOLE MUSIC CLUB, Coffman Union, 300 Washington Ave SE (University of Minnesota), Mpls., 612.625.2272 Martin Taylor & Alex de Grassi 8 P.M. Cedar Cultural Center ALL-AGES $16/18 All the Pretty Horses, Temptress (storied live show), SMR 9 P.M. Triple Rock Social Club The Proclaimers. With Kevin Bowe & the Okemah Prophets. 18+. $16/$18. 6:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Great Big Sea, the Push Stars. $12/$15. 6:00 p.m., FIRST AVENUE, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Best Fight Story, The Travesties 9 P.M. Terminal Bar Red Room, Civilian 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 The Rick, Church of Gravitron, The Vets, Skin of Earth 7 P.M. Metric House ALL-AGES Delbert McClinton Medina Entertainment Center Richard Humpty Vission Escape Ultra Lounge Cary Aria 6 P.M. The Garage ALL-AGES $5 THE BUNGALOW, REGGAE/CARIBBEAN, DANCE MUSIC AND HIP HOP, HOSTED BY VERB X, USE MAINROOM DOORS, 9:00 P.M. 21+, First Avenue (VIP Room) $3 (9p.m. - 11p.m.) $6 (11p.m. - 2am), Free with College ID Purest Form, Outside, 9:00 P.M., 21+, Red Sea, $5.00 West Side. 9:30 p.m., ARNELLIA'S, 1183 University Ave W, St. Paul, 651.642.5975 The Delcounts, FRIDLEY CRAB HOUSE MUSIC CAFE, 6161 Hwy 65 NE (Central Ave), Fridley, 763.571.3444 Palestinian American poet Suheir Hammad reads at 7:30 p.m., Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, $10 students/$12 general admission. Tickets available at the door only. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Performance at 7:30. Reception follows. 612-788-6920, hosted by Mizna ROAD TRIP Chicago Hip-Hop Summit, University of Illinois at Chicago Pavillion (UIC), 525 South Racine Avenue, Chicago. "Taking Back Responsibility:Celebrating Hip-Hop & Empowering Youth." Doors 9:00 a.m. Program begins at 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Panel includes Chicago natives and Summit co-hosts Kanye West and Common, Ludacris, R. Kelly, Fabolous, Def Jam President Kevin Liles and the Def Jam crew, Roc-A-Fella CEO Damon Dash and the Roc-A-Fella crew, So So Def CEO Jermaine Dupri, Doug E Fresh, Foxy Brown, Mya, Loon, Raz B (formerly of B2K), Cam�Ron, Diplomats' CEO Jim Jones and the Diplomats, Layzie Bone, Twista, Shawnna, Crooked I, Dwayne "Hump" Hobbs, White Boy and Def Poetry Jam's Malik Yusef. Click here for further information on the Chicago Hip-Hop Summit. ROAD TRIP Going to Duluth/Superior? See The Bleeding Hickeys this Saturday, March 27 at the Twin Ports Brewery in Superior, WI. We're set to play with the all-girl Duluth punk rock band The Keepaways, and with the Duluth/Minneapolis hip hop Crew Jones. Doors are at 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 28

Dillinger Four, the Grabass Charlestons, Rivethead, Off With Their Heads. All ages. $6. 4:00 p.m. Triple Rock Social Club. The Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs. 7:00 p.m., VIKING BAR 1829 Riverside Ave, Mpls., 612.332.4259 (go for the Jets) The Vines. With Jet, the Living End, Neon. All ages. $20. 5:00 p.m., THE QUEST 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 Greazy Meal (new album on the way) $10/$12. 8:00 p.m., CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 SACRED STEEL: THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS $14/$18. 7:30 p.m.. Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.2674. Impossible Party 730 P.M. Bryant-Lake Bowl ALL-AGES $6/8 Afternoon Records Showcase: Lookdown, Aneuretical, Hello Blue, Voice Activated Shotgun 6 P.M. The Dinkytowner Cafe ALL-AGES $5 On a Pale Horse 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 Spoken Word vs. Hip-Hop, Open Mic 8:30-10:30, DJ KA 10:30-Close, 03/28/04, 8:00 P.M., 21+, Soul City Super Club, FREE! Moped Posse Records Showcase. 7:00 p.m. RED SEA, 316 Cedar Ave (West Bank), Mpls., 612.333.1644

MONDAY, MARCH 29

PICK (CLICK HERE FOR MY INTERVIEW IN CITY PAGES) AL GREEN With Debbie Duncan. $75. 7:30 p.m.. Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland Pl, Mpls., 612.377.2224. PICK Kayne West. With Dilated Peoples, and Goapele. 18+. $28.50-$30. 6:00 p.m., THE QUEST 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 Hip Hop Night The Loring Pasta Bar, 9:00 P.M. 18+, Loring Pasta Bar, $5.00 21+, $7.00 18+

TUESDAY, MARCH 30

TWO HIP-HOP FILMS PICK Nobody Knows My Name screens at 3:00 p.m. (to 5:15 p.m.), Bell Auditorium. A candid study of hip-hop women (Asia One, DJ Symphony, Leaschea, Lisa, Medusa, and T-Love), Rachel Raimist's documentary explores a feminist community looking for a place in a male-dominated subculture that is, itself, also marginalized. Post-Film discussion with Alexs Pate, Gwendolyn Pough, and Rachel Raimist. PICK Carnage CD Release Party In a great month for local hip-hop releases (buy P.O.S.'s Ipecac Neat and Eyedea and Abilities' E&A now), Carnage is probably the fastest, funniest, and, how do I put this? Lowest rent of them all. For his debut solo CD, The Carnology Vol. 0.5 EP (Hecatomb), he borrows back his guest track from Eyedea's The Many Faces of Oliver Hart, lifts the music wholesale from Atmosphere's "Like Today" for a line-by-line spoof of the song, and uses somebody else's hook for "Tea Baggin'," his misogynist ode to ball sucking. But the Chicago south side native is a talent to watch, and you'll be glad you caught him unvarnished. With Illusion, Dialogue Elevaters Crew, DJs King Otto and Nikoless, and a screening of the rap music documentary Hip Hop Immortals: We Got Your Kids. Door 8:00 p.m., film 9:00 p.m., music 10:00 p.m. 18+, The Dinkytowner, $4.00 or FREE with purchase of the Carnage EP, Ladies free until 10:00 p.m. Check out the Dialogue Elevaters Crew site for more info. Dr. Farrago's Sin-Ergystic Theatre 7 P.M. First Avenue $3/6 Esuna, Halo Ground, Opposites Attack 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 651 Music Group PHAT TUESDAYS, Featuring DJ AK and Special Guests, 9:00 P.M., 18+, Red Sea, $7.00 SecTor 7-G, The N-E-S, MANIFESTERS, TD, DJ PSEUDO, 9:00 P.M., All Ages Steak Knife, FREE! Poets Grove, w/ Desdamona, Kevin Washington, 9:00 P.M., 18+, The Blue Nile, FREE! Art of Jam & Nextainment: ESCAPE TO REGGAE, 9:00 P.M., 21+, Escape Ultra Lounge, $5.00 Sometimes Y, Superman Curl. $5. 8:00 p.m., 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31

PICK The Dragons. (Good San Diego live band.) With rock DJs, Cutthroat Hoods, the Virgin Whores. $5. 9:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612.333.7399 Rock Star. Glam, new wave, punk. $5. 8:00 p.m., FIRST AVENUE, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 The Right Stuff PRO-CONSERVATIVE STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TWIN CITIES CAMPUS The show's headline M.C. and Host is Jeff Jena, with Steve Eblin, Julia Gorin, Chris Warren at The Coffman Theater, located in Coffman Memorial Union, Doors 7:00 p.m.; 818-207-2997 Monte Montgomery. $12, LEE'S LIQUOR LOUNGE, 101 Glenwood Ave N (at 11th St), Mpls., 612.338.9491 Bleu. All ages. $8/$10. 6:00 p.m., THE QUEST ASCOT ROOM, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 Words to a Film Score, Amazing Transparent Man, Split Habit, Longanimity at 830 P.M. Red Lion Lounge (Duluth) $4 Bachelor Boy Entertainment and Colossus Enterprises present: ESCAPE WEDNESDAYS w/ B96 Beat Masters 03/31/04, 9:00 P.M. 21+ Escape Ultra Lounge $5.00 DJ KING OTTO 9:30 P.M. 21+ King and I Thai FREE! Sensacion Latina. Salsa, merengue, cha-cha. Free. 8:30 p.m., FHIMA'S, 6 W Sixth St, St. Paul, 651.287.0784 Cumbia Caliente. With Grupo Fuggaz. 18+. $5. 8:00 p.m., EL NUEVO RODEO, 2709 E Lake St, Mpls., 612.728.0101 Transmission, IMPERIAL ROOM, 417 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.376.7676 Xcaliber Male Dance Revue. With DJ. 18+, PLAYERS BEACH CLUB, 55 S Lake St, Forest Lake, 651.464.4608 Pharohs Night. With DJ Mike Mack. Hip hop. 18+. $0-$15. 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., TABU, 325 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.204.0790 Kieskagato. $5. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Cafe Accordion Orchestra. 8:30 p.m., DIXIE'S ON GRAND, 695 Grand Ave, St. Paul, 651.222.7345 The Vestals listening party, IMPERIAL ROOM, 417 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.376.7676 Soul Foundation, Heaven Zone, MARIO'S KELLER BAR, 2300 NE University Ave (downstairs of Gasthof), Mpls., 612.781.3860

THURSDAY, APRIL 1

PICK Van Morrison $70-$90. 7:00 p.m. Northrop Auditorium, 84 SE Church St, Mpls., 612.624.2345. PICK Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Tamia All-ages, $39.75-$69.75. 5:30 p.m. Target Center, 600 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.673.0900. PICK Blonde Redhead, the Secret Machine. 18+. $15. 8:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 PICK Crossfaded Thursdays in April, Cumulus CD Release Party, 9:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. $5 "Electronic Hybrid Improv Showcase", the Dinkytowner Pernice Brothers, The Long Winters, The Bigger Lovers 21+, 9:00 P.M., $10.00, The Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-333-SEXY Kevin Kling hosts an April fool's cabaret, "A Fool's Paradise," with Wendy Lewis and Redstart, which features Wendy Lewis (of course) and members from Fog, Dosh and Happy Apple. The Fitzgerald Theater 10 E. Exchange St. St Sense of Sound, Joe Smoke & Problem Child, Hydrophonics, Breeze Evah Flowin', Break Bread. $7. 9:00 p.m., FIVE CORNERS SALOON, 501 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.338.6424 The Autumn Leaves, Captain Mike and the Totems, Six Ways From Sunday, UPTOWN BAR & CAFE, 3018 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls., 612.823.4719 Particle. With Buckethead. 18+. $12/$14. 8:30 p.m., CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 ERIC ANDERSEN $14/$16. 7:30 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.2674. The Natural History with the Plastic Constellations. 7 P.M. Whole Music Club 18+ $5/7 Anchorhead, Wayne Hancock, LEE'S LIQUOR LOUNGE, 101 Glenwood Ave N (at 11th St), Mpls., 612.338.9491 Filling Avoid, Islero at 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club 18+ $5/8 Paddy Keenan. With Brian Miller, 5 Mile Chase, the Gaels. $12/$14. 7:30 p.m., GINKGO COFFEEHOUSE, 721 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 651.645.264714 Breez EvahFlowin, Hydrophonics, Sense of Sound, Break Bread, 9:00 P.M. 21+ 5 Corners $3.00 Moonlight Serenaders. $7. 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Dance lessons at 6:00 p.m., WABASHA STREET CAVES, 215 S Wabasha St, St. Paul, 651.292.1220 BLU House Project. With Timmay, A-Ray, Milo Saiz. 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 am Dizzy. Free, Roomsa. 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. MARTINI BLU AT THE GRAND HOTEL, 615 2nd Ave S, Mpls., 612.752.9595 Bass-United: Sequential Circuits. Minimal, downtempo, new wave. $3. 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 am, MELL'S BEAUTY BAR, 606 Washington Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.1680

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

PICK The 22nd Annual International Film Festival, Opening Night Party @ TONIC of Uptown, 1400 W. Lake Street, Valet Parking Available, 9:30pm-midnight, FREE FOOD will be out at 9:30. Keep in mind, about 800 festival guests will arrive at 10:30 so an early arrival is really the only way to avoid lines & ensure admittance. Menu below. performance by electronic/groove/jazz duo Keston & Wesdal & DJ Kasio, DJ sets & original compositions in several electronic formats by Jesse Whitney (golden apple mfkg) & Brian Markey w/ speical guest Jay Buzenberg PICK Chicago art rock/punk trio Oh My God at the Uptown PICK EXTREME NOISE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BASH! Dropdead, Dillinger Four, Misery, Quincy Punx: Celebrate 10 years of the punk record shop. All Ages, 5:00 P.M., $6.00; 21+, 10:00 P.M., $6.00 The Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-333-SEXY PICK Brenda Weiler, David Huckfelt, Benson Ramsey. $10. 8:00 p.m., 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 PICK What's Going On: A Marvin Gaye Tribute. With Stokely Williams, Lynval Jackson, Julius Collins, Troy Norton, Markiss, Shauntae, Brian Gallagher, Bill Brown, Charles Hayes, Erica West, Mike Williams. $8/$10. 8:30 p.m., CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 Trailer Trash at 9 P.M. Lee's Liquor Lounge $6 BOBBY MCFERRIN, SAVION GLOVER $36.50-$41.50. 8:00 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave, Mpls., 612.339.7007. Charlemagne w/ The Ashtray Hearts, Ben Weaver St. Paul, MN, The Turf Club The Bellamy Brothers. $13/$19, MEDINA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, 500 Hwy 55 (4 miles west of I-494), Medina, 763.478.6661 Indigenous. $20. 8:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 The Amusia Benefit Concert. Featuring Run Miss Scarlet, Gabriel James, Natalie Lovejoy. 18+. $5/$6. 8:00 p.m. Call 612.227.0929 for reservations, RED SEA, 316 Cedar Ave (West Bank), Mpls., 612.333.1644 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Tribute, 4TH STREET STATION, 201 E 4th St (at Sibley St in Lowertown), St. Paul, 651.298.0173 Sugarcult, Motion City Soundtrack at 5 P.M. The Quest ALL-AGES Impaler, Cold Colours, Revelence. $5. 8:00 p.m., URBAN WILDLIFE BAR, 331 2nd Ave N, Mpls., 612.339.4665 MOZAIK $18/$20. 8:00 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.2674. DJ Jevne, Jason Heinrichs. 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 am MARTINI BLU AT THE GRAND HOTEL, 615 2nd Ave S, Mpls., 612.752.9595 Officer May (Boston) 7th St, Entry www.acefu.com Mattie Weiss. Political artist and organizer at the Bookstore of the Americas, 7:00 p.m. A Prairie Home Companion Friday Night Preview (non-broadcast performances, tickets available at Fitzgerald box office and through Ticketmaster) ROAD TRIP Mason Jennings, With Haley Bonar, Norshor Theater 211 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN 218-727-7585 18+ 8 p.m. $13 advance, $14 day of show (+.50 restoration fee) Tickets available at Electric Fetus Duluth and The Vintage Duluth ROAD TRIP The Carnology Vol. 0.5 EP Release Party! CARNAGE & DJ BOOKA' B (SENSE OF SOUND), Others TBA, 04/02/04, 9:00 P.M. 21+ Rascal's, 151 E. Third St., Winona, MN $5.00

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

PICK The Owls, World Tour, First Prize Killers, Kopacz. $6. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 PICK The Vestals (CD-Release Party). Featuring Ken Morton, Adam Levy, Friends Like These. $6. 8:00 p.m., 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 Heart & Soul Gospel Series: Karen Clark Sheard. $25/$28. 6:30 p.m., CLUB 3 DEGREES, 113 N 5th St, Mpls., 612.781.8488 Sweet J.A.P. (ALSO SUNDAY) spring tour! Sat. 3rd St. Paul, MN @ Big V's w/ Riverboat Gamblers (Gearhead Rec.) Jennifer Grimm, folk singer Mike Gunther on the Rhubarb Show, Garrison Keillor's new, "after show" cabaret for A Prairie Home Companion, with separate tickets, available at Fitzgerald box office and through Ticketmaster, Fitzgerald Theatre, 10 East Exchange St., St. Paul MN, All ages 651-999-1099 Sicbay, John Wilkes Booze. $6. 10:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 The Unicorns, Beans, the Ponys. All ages. $10. 5:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Slighted, Seconds Before, Crew Jones. 18+. $5-$8. 8:00 p.m., URBAN WILDLIFE BAR, 331 2nd Ave N, Mpls., 612.339.4665 Hookers & Blow. $6. 8:30 p.m., CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 20 Dollar Love, Mojo Soto at 9 P.M. All-ages Ardvark Records ALL-AGES $0 Esuna, Morningtide at 9 P.M. What's Up Lounge MICHAEL GORDAN BAND: LIGHT IS CALLING With films by Bill Morrison. $18. 8:00 p.m. For tickets call 612.375.7622. Woman's Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St, Mpls., 612.870.8001. Jim Rotondi. $10. 9:00 p.m., ARTISTS' QUARTER, 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359 The Middle Spunk Creek Boys. Free. 8:00 p.m., DULONO'S, 607 W Lake St (at Garfield Ave S), Mpls., 612.827.1726 The Chace Roberts Band, RODEO, 7359 W Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, 651.458.0636 George Faber. $7. 7:30 p.m., THE ROOST AT CHICKADEE COTTAGE, 9900 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, 651.578.8118 Jesse Saunders, Chip E. $10. 9:00 p.m., ESCAPE ULTRA LOUNGE, 600 Hennepin Ave, Mpls., 612.333.8855 DJ Jason Heinrichs. House. $5. 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 am, THE LOUNGE, 411 2nd Ave N, Mpls., 612.333.8800

SUNDAY, APRIL 4

PICK So what's the hook here?...The Catholic School Girls (from St. Joseph, MN) sing folk pop and open for The Maladies and Harbour at Urban Wildlife. 21+, $3, 8:00 p.m., $1 beer taps all night. URBAN WILDLIFE BAR, 331 2nd Ave N, Mpls., 612.339.4665 PICK (not on Coffman's site yet) Hip-Hop Revival, KING OF THE MIC BATTLE, feat Double Odd, hosted by Talib Kweli, 7:00 P.M. , All-ages, Coffman Union PICK Nate on Drums, third episode!!!! (airs the first Sunday of the month) at 11:00 p.m., KSTC 45 Riverboat Gamblers, Sweet JAP, J Church, the Wednesdays, DJ Ape$hit. $7. 9:00 p.m. TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Fat Joe and the Terror Squad. 18+. $25/$30. 9:00 p.m., THE QUEST, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 The Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs. 7:00 p.m., VIKING BAR, 1829 Riverside Ave, Mpls., 612.332.4259 Pedal Steel Transmition, JG Everest at 6 P.M. The Dinkytowner Cafe ALL-AGES $5 Coheed & Cambria. With Rainer Maria, Funeral for a Friend, Brazil. All ages. $12/$14. 5:00 p.m. THE QUEST, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 Aneuretical, An Oceans Mistress, Thousandaire, the Hello blue. All ages. $6. 5:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2004

PICK "REBEL, REBEL, ROCK FOR PUSSY" Mary Lucia's tribute to David Bowie/benefit for Mpls area "no kill" cat shelters, featuring house band with John Eller, John Munson, Noah Levy, Tommy Alsides, Randy Casey, and guest singers/guitarists covering their favorite Bowie song: George McKelvey, Mason Jennings, Quillian

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Rebirth11

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Owls44

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Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 19, 2004 4:05 PM

Al Green on Gay Marriage and Prince

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Here's what I left out of the end of my interview with Al Green in next Wednesday's City Pages (he's at the Guthrie on March 29):

I wanted to ask you, how do you feel about gay marriage?

How do I feel about gay marriage? Well now you got to understand that I am a pastor, right?

Yeah.

So when I'm a pastor, and been in this pastoring for 20, this'll be 28 years, then that should solve that problem. Next?

Has it come up as an issue with you guys?

Oh, everything is an issue with us. Everything that pertains to life and eternal life is an issue with us. But if your opinion concerning that is going to be any different than God's opinion apparently is, then you would miss what we're trying to advocate, yeah. Because we have no other opinion to go by, other than his opinion.

Do you have any Minneapolis memories? Have you ever met Prince?

Yes, I got some Minneapolis memories. And I got to see Prince once. But I really never got a chance to get close enough to him to shake his hand. And that's what we wanted to do, was go meet him. He was at the Grammys once, maybe two or three years ago. He sung and he played his guitar, and vroom, they went off the stage, and nobody got a chance to meet anybody or say hello or anything like that.

But he's a tremendous, dynamic personality and a wonderful performer, and I know you guys up there know that. I mean he's awesome in his own right. And everybody got their way of doing things, you see. That may be his way of keeping himself where he's clear at, you know? So if he don't want to talk with the Letterman or Leno people, or whatever that is, everybody got their own way. I don't condemn a man for having his own way. If that's the way he is, then that's what he's got to do, to keep his head together. If he don't want to talk to people about what he's doing and what his thing is, then that's his prerogative to have that, and people should respect that, you know?

I mean, I don't want to jump in the man's business. My idea was, it would be exciting for me to meet him.

But you've played here before, right?

Yeah, I did the Guthrie a long time ago. And guess what? I'm doing it again. Yeah, man. We going to party, man. We going to have it down pat, man. So, I mean, Peter, thank you so much, here. And sorry they've got me so short.

Friday Links, News, and Other Fun

        photo by Darlene Prois/Star Tribune

Prince: An Oral History in the Star Tribune. Prince's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame airs on VH1 Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Central Time.  Prince himself plays the Xcel Energy Center June 16, $76.75-$49.50; 651-989-5151. (Tickets on sale Monday at 10:00 a.m.)  From the Pioneer Press: a Prince timeline, Keith Harris on the Artist Forever Known as Prince, and Rick Shefchik on The Prince of Pop

The 22nd Annual Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival (April 2-17) is now online with a complete schedule. My favorite film writer David Thomson on Spalding Gray   Katha Pollitt on The Passion  Heads up, everyone at Rift, the new local music magazine: Need an office in downtown Minneapolis? On April 1, Gretchen Williams's downstairs level will be turned into an office space for Sound Unseen, the music and film festival. The extra space is $200/month, with free parking, full kitchen, free DSL, fax. Email gw-events@msn.com and keep the Lost Cause/Sound Unseen office-sharing tradition alive!

The Ripsaw is alive and well and putting on Duluth's Homegrown Music Festival, now that Starfire is not. Any advice for First Avenue? Email me suggestions for its dance nights at pscholtes@citypages.com and I'll pass along your suggestions to an open ear. We Funk Radio (thanks to Nate)  Ludacris is for the children (thanks, Bridgette Reinsmoen) African hip-hoppers X Plastaz Marlee McLeod's blog  Me on Eyedea and Abilities, case you missed it. See the show Sunday. David and Melissa on that wonderful sold-out Owls/Walker Kong show last Saturday, probably helped along by the Owls on MPR. Crimson Sweet on tour, not here, though. Stereolab on the way.  Geek Prom still on for April 17 with music by Trailer Park Queen The Plastic Constellations backed P.O.S. and others on the Cenospecies song "Hip Hop" last Sunday in the Entry during the all-ages CD-release show for Ipecac Neat (buy it now at the Fifth Element). P.O.S. explained that "neat" is a drinking term meaning no ice, and you know ipecac means something to make you vomit, right? Toki from the C.O.R.E. rapped with EPL and Snakebird. Can't wait for the solo album.  P.O.S. interviewed in D.U. Nation the day after the show.  Here's Chuck and some of my other friends having fun in Austin. You dogs.

Chomsky on the coup in Haiti  Craig Unger on his book House of Bush, House of Saud   Paul Demko on Wal-Mart in Minnesota  Dean founds new organization, Democracy For America.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 19, 2004 12:42 PM

Al Green

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Eight Days a Week: St. Patrick's Day

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, St. Patrick's Day (and the birthday of Nick Federspiel)

First some vital advice: Go to your bank account right now and take out $80. Now divide that in half. The $40 on top is what you can spend on "refreshments." The money on the bottom is what you'll spend on cab rides. With the bus strike continuing on through the most drunk-driving-est holiday of the year, be smart. Now on to the fun...

(CLICK HERE FOR EXHAUSTIVE ST. PADDY'S DAY LISTINGS IN CITY PAGES. And also check out these valuable resources: The Twin Cities Alternative Shows List and the D.U. Nation scene page.)

PICK Lil' Mo, Escape Ultra Lounge, 9:00 P.M. $10.00 PICK Minnesotans for a United Ireland: St. Patrick's Day Ceili Featuring dance, music, storytelling. $8, $5 for children 6-17. 7:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17. Randolph Heights Elementary School 348 Hamline Ave S, St. Paul, 651.293.8780 PICK St. Patrick's Day Parade Parade begins at Fourth and Wacouta Streets, heads west on 4th Street, ends at Rice Park. Free. Noon. For more information visit http://www.stpatsassoc.org or call 651.256.2155. Wed Mar 17, Downtown St. Paul St. Paul PICK Boiled in Lead, the MN Pipes & Drums, the Tim Malloys, Felonious Bosch $7/$10. 6:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, First Avenue 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775  WORLDWIDE WEDNESDAYS St Patrick's Day! Irish Night with FOLK UNDERGROUND live & Radio K International's DJ Paul Harding ; 9pm- 2am; 21+; irish drink specials all night. $3. , The Dinkytowner, 412 1/2 14th AVE. SE MPLS MN 55414, 612.362.0427  Telephone, Soul Sonic Revolutionary Orchestra, DJ Butta Tooth, St. Patrick's Day Party! Mario's Kellar Bar. 9:00 p.m. $3  The Soviettes, A-Bomb Nation All ages. $6. 6:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Triple Rock Social Club 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Cumbia Caliente With Grupo Fuggaz. 18+. $5. 8:00 p.m. Every W El Nuevo Rodeo 2709 E Lake St, Mpls., 612.728.0101 The Irish Brigade Mar 3-Apr 3, Half Time Rec 1013 Front Ave, St. Paul, 651.488.8245 Lazy Ike Wed Mar 17, Lee's Liquor Lounge 101 Glenwood Ave N (at 11th St), Mpls., 612.338.9491 Iffy $8. 8:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Belfast Cowboys, Alicia Corbett Wed Mar 17, Turf Club 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486  Manifesters, Unknown Prophets, I.O.N., TD, Shades of Darkness, DJ Axel on the 1's and 2's, (Last HipHop show in Stillwater EVER), (Free Give-A-Ways all night), 9:00 P.M., 18+, St. Croix Music Cafe, (317 Main St and Nelson), Downtown Stillwater, $5.00 The Ebony & Ivory Lounge, 9:30 P.M., 21+, King and I Thai, FREE! Stolen by Serious, 9P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 Andréana Cortés, 7P.M. Taco Toro's AA  Day of Dance and St. Patrick's Day Celebration Featuring Irish food, dance, vendors, pipe bands, entertainment, geneology, contests, more. $5, $3 children. 11:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Sun, 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. Wed. Every W,Su Mar 14-17 Landmark Center 75 W 5th St, St. Paul, 651.292.3225 13 Reasons, the Fighting Tongs Wed Mar 17, O'Gara's Garage 164 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 651.644.3333 Letho & Wright 8:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Neumann's Bar 2531 E 7th Ave, St. Paul, 651.770.6020  Long Since Forgotten, the Drive Back, the Spill Canvas Wed Mar 17, The Fallout 2609 Stevens Ave S, Mpls., 612.462.3873  Luke's Angels $3. 9:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Bar Lurcat 1624 Harmon Pl, Mpls., 612.486.5900 Minnesota Folk Festival: Irish Ceili Dance Featuring music by Barra. $7/$9. 7:00 p.m. Dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 651.292.4900. CSPS Hall 383 Michigan St (at West 7th St.), St. Paul, 651.290.0542 Minnesota Pipes & Drums, Tramps & Hawkers Wed Mar 17, Keegan's Irish Pub 16 University Ave NE, Mpls., 612.252.0880 St. Patrick's Day Party Featuring Soulmates, Lamont Cranston, the Hoopsnakes. $8/$10. 4:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefit Como Are Youth Athletics. Wed Mar 17, Gabe's By The Park 991 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul, 651.646.3066 Uncle Chunk Wed Mar 17, Pov's Sports Bar and Grill 1851 Bunker Lake Blvd., Andover, 763.755.2323 CANCELED: Underground Movements: St. Patrick's Day Jam Featuring Manifesters, Unknown Prophets, I.O.N., TD, Shades of Darkness, DJ Axel. 18+. $5. 10:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17 St. Croix Live Music Cafe 317 Main St, Stillwater, 651.439.0024

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

PICK Mark Curtis Anderson reads from Jesus Sound Explosion at 7:30 pm at Bound to Be Read bookstore on Grand and Victoria (870 Grand Ave.) in St. Paul. Also, at 9:00 or so he'll be drumming with the House of Mercy Band at the Turf Club (on University and Snelling in St. Paul), opening for The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers featuring Mark Olson (formerly of The Jayhawks) and Victoria Williams.  PICK Tonight and Every Thursday: DJ DON CUCO, DJ RETROBLAST, THE MAYHEM LECTURE SERIES, and a HYBRID LIVE / DJ Set With Custom Video Compilations on 3 Large Plasma Screens hosted By Nathan Yungerberg and DJ Don Cuco, Live Jazz Fusion, Downtempo, Trip-Hop and Live Performance. 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m., No Cover, The Caterpillar Lounge (Inside Azia Restaurant), presented by Sursumcorda, 2550 Nicollet Ave. Mpls 612.813.1200 Cassandra Wilson. $39. 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ROSSI'S BLUE STAR ROOM Metro Building (9th and Marquette), Mpls., 612.312.2828 Electropolis, Poor Line Condition, Bill Mike. 9:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Aura. $10/$12. 7:30 p.m., GINKGO COFFEEHOUSE, 721 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 651.645.2647 Dope. All ages. $12. 5:00 p.m., THE QUEST ASCOT ROOM, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 Necromis, Teratism, Aoda, Ossuary Insane. $6. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 DUTTY VIBEZ, Dancehall For The People, ...Real Caribbean Vibez... 9:00 PM, 21+, First Avenue, (VIP Room), $3 (9pm - 11pm), $6 (11pm - 2am), Birthdays & Members Free +3

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

PICK Black-Eyed Snakes at the Uptown Bar   PICK (ALSO SATURDAY) Minnesota Metal Fest, featuring Body Count The name you know here is Ice-T (playing Saturday), whose reunited speed-metal band from South Central Los Angeles, Body Count, has rocked more leanly and comically in the years since "Cop Killer" was a household synonym for controversy. (The band also paved the way for the original gangster's various acting roles as...a police officer). The name you don't know here is Don Decker, the Anal Blast singer and Nightfall Records proprietor who has booked festivals like this around the Midwest for years. This time out, he's bringing three-dozen bands from around the country for what might be the best underground metal cross-section that Minneapolis has ever seen. Bands this weekend include: Prong, the Mentors, Testament, Deicide, Joey Belladonna, Black Dahlia Murders, Vital Remains, Vampire Moose, and many others. For a full schedule, log on to http://www.minnesotametalfest.com. 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday (till 1:00 a.m. in the Entry); 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday. $25/$45 for two-day pass. First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612.332.1775. Friday in the Mainroom: Every Hour Wounds, Jungle Rot, Inches of Blood, Mantas, M.O.D. with Billy Milano, Entombed, Vital Remains with Glen Benton, more. $25-$45. 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., FIRST AVENUE 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775. Also in the 7th St. Entry: Black Dahlia Murders, the Hevails, Necromis, Summon, Forest of Impaled, Throcult, Nymphotomy, W.W.J.D., Dysrupt, Stabcorp, more. $25-$45. 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 PICK YO! The Movement & Edison Unity presents: SHOWTIME @ Edison 2, High School Talent Show, 5:00 PM, All Ages, Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave NE, Mpls, MN, $4.00 Los Acostas. 18+. 8:00 p.m., EL NUEVO RODEO, 2709 E Lake St, Mpls., 612.728.0101 Joan of Arc, the Love of Everything, Make Believe, Twin Ion. $7. 10:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 John Lee Hooker, Jr. $5, NARROWS SALOON, 3380 Shoreline Drive, Navarre, 952.471.3352 DJ Lori Barbero. Free. 10:00 p.m. DIXIE'S CALHOUN 2730 W Lake St, Mpls., 612.920.5000 Fri-Sat newmusic : microhouse! with DJs JP & Daniel Paul, plus live PA by SUTEKH (San Francisco) 9-2am 21+; $3. The Dinkytowner, 412 1/2 14th AVE. SE MPLS MN 55414, 612.362.0427 All the Pretty Horses, District 202 benefit. ALL-AGES (see also: SATURDAY'S Future Lisa Showcase #8: Autumn Leaves, Venus (of All the Pretty Horses, Naked Jesus, Future Lisa Band, 9 P.M. Turf Club) RICK SPRINGFIELD $21-$28. 8:00 p.m. Grand Casino Mille Lacs, 777 Grand Ave (Hwy 169 West Shore), Onamia, 800.626.5825. Astral Project. $12. 9:00 p.m., DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB & RESTAURANT 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010 Rory Block, 8 P.M. Cedar Cultural Center AA $16/18 Jeff & Chris, 9 P.M. Cabooze 18+ $10 Rank Strangers, U-Joint, Grickle Grass, Superhopper. $4, TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 CROWN ROYAL COMEDY FEST, HOSTED BY BRUCE BRUCE, 7:30 PM, All Ages, ORPHEUM THEATRE, $55.00 GB RECORDS Showcase w/ TBA, 9:00 PM, 18+, Red Sea.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 (first day of Spring)

PICK Minnesota Metal Fest. Featuring Body Count with Ice T, Testament, Mentors, Cephalic Carnage, Prong, Deicide, CWN ANNWN, Green Fog Vigilante, Identical, Putrid Pile, Coraphagy, Anal Blast, Disinter, more. $25-$45. 11:30 am to 9:00 p.m. PICK Kindergeld: A Benefit for Jon Kinder. Jon Kinder is a cool dad, a fixer of old bicycles, and enough of an Uptown fixture that he has inspired this fine lineup of local musicians to play a benefit show for him, which will help pay medical bills from his battle with cancer. Featuring host Faux Jean, Kid Dakota, John Swardson, Jeaneen Gauthier, Matt Wilson, Chan Poling, Marcel Galang, Mike Wisti, Jerry Lefkowitz, Ben Connelly, Rob Skoro. $5. 9:00 p.m., UPTOWN BAR & CAFÉ 3018 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls., 612.823.4719 PICK (ALSO SUNDAY) The Creekdippers. Featuring Victoria Williams, Mark Olson. $5, LEE'S LIQUOR LOUNGE, 101 Glenwood Ave N (at 11th St), Mpls., 612.338.9491 Shuffle Step: New Work by Pattie Chalmers, MUSIC, DANCING, FOOD, DRINK, 7:00-11pm. 2201 2nd street NE, Minneapolis, 55418, 612.706.7879 http://www.creativeelectricstudios.com RUMBLE hip hop party "The Hook Up" pt. 2 w/ Unicus & DJ Stage One & special guests. 9pm-2am; 21+; $3. The Dinkytowner, 412 1/2 14th AVE. SE MPLS MN 55414, 612.362.0427 PICK The Strike, Rivethead, Caufield, Off with their Heads, The Awesome Snakes, 5 P.M. 7th St Entry AA $6 PICK Mates of State, April Epidemic, Monarques. All ages. $7. 5:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 PICK JEUNE LUNE 25th Anniversary Party: Party Like It's 1979. Featuring big band music, cash bar. $10, $40 with Big Ballroom tickets. 9:30 p.m., show is at 7:00 p.m. THEATRE DE LA JEUNE LUNE 105 1st St N, Mpls., 612.333.6200 PICK Volante (CD-Release Show), Superhopper. With Staraoke. $6. 10:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 DJ Lori Barbero. Free. 10:00 p.m. DIXIE'S CALHOUN 2730 W Lake St, Mpls., 612.920.5000 Fri-Sat Lisa's Music Showcase #8. Featuring the Autumn Leaves, Venus-Solo, Naked Jesus, Future Lisa Band, TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 The Doors of the 21st Century, 8 P.M. Orpheum Theater ALL-AGES $55+ Cheryl Wheeler, 8 P.M. Cedar Cultural Center ALL-AGES $18/20 Collective Unconscious. $6/$8. 9:30 p.m., BRYANT-LAKE BOWL, 810 W Lake St, Mpls., 612.825.8949 Keri Noble (CD-Release Party). Pop. $10, BUNKER'S MUSIC BAR AND GRILL, 761 Washington Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8188 If Thousands, Paul Metzger, GST. All ages. 8:00 p.m., ACADIA CAFE & CABARET THEATER, 1931 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls., 612.874.8702 The Big Wu. $12/$14, $20 for Sat-Sun. 8:30 p.m. Sat, 7:30 p.m. Sun, CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 20 Dollar Love. All ages. 9:00 p.m., AARDVARK RECORDS, 8913 Penn Ave S, Bloomington, 952.885.9737 Fifth Element Open Mic & Instore, w/ Upset the Locksmith, 6:00 PM, All Ages, Fifth Element, FREE! THE BUNGALOW REGGAE/CARIBBEAN, DANCE MUSIC AND HIP HOP, HOSTED BY VERB X, USE MAINROOM DOORS, 9:00 PM 21+, First Avenue (VIP Room), $3 (9pm - 11pm), $6 (11pm - 2am), Free with College ID EYEDEA & ABILITIES on 2-the-Break-A-Dawn on KFAI 9:00 p.m. (90.3 FM Minneapolis/106.7 FM St. Paul)

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

PICK (CLICK HERE FOR MY REVIEW IN CITY PAGES.) Eyedea & Abilities Album Release Party w/ Eyedea & Abilities, Brother Ali, Sense Of Sound, DJ Nikoless, 5:00 PM All Ages & 9:00 PM 21+, 7th Street Entry $8.00 Adv, $10.00 Door  PICK CREEK DIPPERS $14/$18. 7:30 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.2674. MARY BLACK With Karen Casey. $29/$32. 7:30 p.m. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St. Paul, 651.290.1221. Liars, Young People, Goldfish, 5 P.M. First Avenue AA $10/12 IN THE GARAGE early-evening all-ages music showcase Kid Dakota, If Thousands, Mimosa Peloria doors 6pm, $5. followed by "BASEMENTALITY" w/ DJs Booka B & Nikoless 10-1am; 21+ The Dinkytowner, 412 1/2 14th AVE. SE MPLS MN 55414, 612.362.0427 Align, Self Evident, the Actual, Nokomis. $6. 9:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 The Big Wu. $12/$14, $20 for Sat-Sun. 8:30 p.m. Sat, 7:30 p.m. Sun, CABOOZE, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 Old Stage. With Karl Shank, TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 Spoken Word vs. Hip-Hop, Open Mic 8:30-10:30, DJ KA 10:30-Close, 8:00 PM 21+ Soul City Super Club FREE! Iceberg Entertainment Presents: Phat D and TBA 9:00 PM 18+ Red Sea ?

MONDAY, MARCH 22

PICK The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers, featuring Mark Olson & Victoria Williams, play an in-store show at Treehouse Records, 7:00 p.m., Monday March 22nd. Autographed copies of the new CD will be available at this appearance. 2557 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. Children and animals welcome. For more on the band's anti-Bush political manifesto, go to http://www.politicalmanifest.com. PICK THE BAD PLUS CD-RELEASE SHOW $25. 7:30 p.m. Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland Pl, Mpls., 612.377.2224. PICK Starlight Mint. With Dressy Bessy. 18+. $10. 7:00 p.m, THE QUEST ASCOT ROOM, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 ClownLounge Jazz. $3. 10:30 p.m., TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 Hip Hop Night @ The Loring Pasta Bar 03/22/04 9:00 PM 18+ Loring Pasta Bar, $5.00 21+, $7.00 18+ BUTTER dance night w/ DJ Sharin' Beatz & special guests. 21+ 9pm-2am; free, The Dinkytowner, 412 1/2 14th AVE. SE MPLS MN 55414, 612.362.0427

TUESDAY, MARCH 23

PICK DJ MELISSA MAERZ and COPY From the email: Just a reminder that the 78 Jukebox is going strong and this week we have the lovely MELISSA MAERZ on the decks 9:30 ish (cd's that is) and COPY will play around 11:00 p.m. It should be ridiculous amounts of fun so come out and celebrate, plus it's the Foxiest bartender in town's last night at the Speakeasy so come out and make it a night to remember. MELISSA MAERZ sins the rock @ 9:30 COPY hits you with their best shot @ 11:00 Booze flows all night long $2 Beer and drink specials will rock you all night long! The Speakeasy Bar is located at 2817 Lyndale in the parking lot across from Intermedia arts. Look for the RED LIGHT. www.needledrop.net PICK T.O.K. "Art of Jam Entertainment Presents the Hottest Dancehall/Reggae Group From Jamaica"--actually, they're more like a dancehall version of an American R&B boy band, which is cool. $15 is steep, but this still looks like the choice musical event of the night. Escape needs to improve its sound quality and provide ear plugs. 10:00 p.m. showtime, $15 (door), Ticketmaster/Escapey PICK UNDERCINEMA : DV-Cinema Showcase #8 Digital short films & ASKELETON multimedia performance; Doors 8pm; 21+; $3/$5. The Dinkytowner, 412 1/2 14th AVE. SE MPLS MN 55414, 612.362.0427 Thousand Void Crush. $6/$8. 8:00 p.m., BRYANT-LAKE BOWL, 810 W Lake St, Mpls., 612.825.8949 Pilot Around the Sun, 9 P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 Pigmy Love Circus. With Cougars. All ages. $12/$13. 5:00 p.m., THE QUEST ASCOT ROOM, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 651 Music Group PHAT TUESDAYS, Featuring DJ AK and Special Guests 03/23/04, 9:00 PM, 18+, Red Sea $7.00 Poets Grove w/ Desdamona, Kevin Washington, 03/23/04, 9:00 PM 18+, The Blue Nile, FREE! Art of Jam & Nextainment: ESCAPE TO REGGAE, 03/23/04 9:00 PM, 21+, Escape Ultra Lounge, $5.00

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

PICK The Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers. 6:30 p.m., VIKING BAR 1829 Riverside Ave, Mpls., 612.332.4259 Women's Blues Festival: Renee Austin. $3 FAMOUS DAVE'S BBQ 3001 Hennepin Ave S (in Calhoun Sq), Mpls., 612.822.9900  I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, Tyler Keith, Sluthumper. $5. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Tiffany ("yes, that Tiffany") 18+. $15/$17. 8:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100  Ace Troubleshooter. All ages. $8. 5:00 p.m., THE QUEST ASCOT ROOM, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383  Soul Smooth with DJ Nikoless, 9:30 P.M. 21+ King and I Thai, FREE!  Datura 1.0, Fadladder, Samsa, Panzram. All ages. $5. 8:00 p.m., ACADIA CAFE & CABARET THEATER, 1931 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls., 612.874.8702  Beau Kinstler, Joe Rathbone, Missing Numbers. $5. 8:00 p.m., 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903  SARA WEDDINGTON speaks at 7:30 p.m. at Willey Hall. Hear remarks from the winning attorney in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 17, 2004 9:29 AM

Headset microphones: classic or dud?

Filed under: Imported

G.R. Anderson, Jr. and Dylan Hicks talking about Thursday night's Liz Phair show at First Avenue, and the evolution of the headset microphone:

Anderson: I thought it was pretty bad last night. The sound was bad. You could hear her breathing through her nostils. A pretty good indicator of where she is these days can be summed up in two words: "headset mic."

Hicks: Did she do "Friends in Low Places"? That's the quintessential headset mic song.

Anderson: Where did the headset mic originate, anyway?

Hicks: I seem to remember Madonna being the first time I saw someone wearing one.

Anderson: But Sammy Hagar had it with Van Halen before that. Maybe Loverboy was the first.

See the I Love Music thread: "Headset Microphones: Classic or Dud"

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 13, 2004 5:13 PM

Sammy headset

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 13, 2004 4:37 PM

Liz Phair headset

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 13, 2004 4:21 PM

headset mic1

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 13, 2004 4:14 PM

Free advice for anyone going to SXSW

Filed under: Imported

Going to the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas, next week?Read this, then follow these simple rules:

1. Go to the Fuck By Fuck You festival. Ask around local punk record stores to find out where this might be. (And ask about other "non-industry" parties, too, like South By So What?) FXFU is outdoors, with free beer and often great music. I don't know if Heads and Bodies (from Minneapolis) are playing FXFU this year, but last year I nearly saw them there, naked. (Some friends of theirs are playing the festival proper.) While you're at it, see if you can't track down some old Austin punk records before you leave town. Any self-respecting punk fans should be familiar with the Dicks and the Big Boys. There's lots more.

2. Go see Rhymesayers rappers do anything. Call publicists for Epitaph to find out if there are any "unnannounced" gigs by Atmosphere, Eyedea & Abilities, Brother Ali, or any of the others. It's a shame, but you'll be ahead of most music media by about a year. (Here's the big Emo's showcase on Wednesday, March 17.) Same with most Minneapolis bands at SXSW, come to think of it. In particular, Mark Mallman is a genius. See him at Pyramid's Thursday.

3. Don't feel guilty about taking a break from it all.

4. Call up anyone you know at Spin and the Village Voice to get into the Spin and Village Voice parties. They contained some highlights for me, early on, though not socially. As a matter of fact, maybe those acts are too cool and boring on the whole...

5. Drive there. Or rent a junker car when you get there. You want to explore this place, and be free to wander around.

6. Smoke your own. I partook of a stranger's and got lost last year. Which brings me to...

6.5. Buy a detailed walking map.

7. Think of good lines for leaving the person you're talking to. Nobody wants to be socially tied down at the indie-rock Mardi Gras, especially with publicists. ("Oh, shit, I forgot I had to meet Dizzee Rascal for po boys!" "I'm on my way to a Gogogo Airheart orgy. Wanna come?" "I have a date with Jean Grae--and Van Hunt, and Little Richard!" Okay, you can do better than that...)

8. Go see music at the Yard Dog folk art gallery. Cheap beer, cheap art, outdoors.

8.5. Go see Rollerderby on St. Patrick's Day. Maybe the Texas Rollergirls or Satan's Cheerleaders will be there.

9. Don't believe the hype. Chances are the most storied/rumored private/secret parties are going to be a.) packed, b.) well-covered by the rest of the press, and c.) not all that much greater than the stuff you'd randomly run into while wandering around. So have a little faith that you'll find some worthwhile stuff on your own, and don't fret when you hear about that incredible show you missed. Everybody misses incredible shows. Hey, I just missed the Coachwhips here in Minneapolis (they play Austin, too).

10. Check out some of the fabled venues. Like Emo's, the First Avenue of Austin. Also: Ask locals about good places to buy breakfast and Tex-Mex food, especially away from the crowds. I ate incredible food the whole time I was there, but mostly at places on the outskirts of clubville.

11. Avoid the convention center. Or at least get in and out of there quickly and strategically. There are good musical happenings there, sure, but it's so much more interesting to be hanging out in somebody's back yard or at an in-store show in some record store...

12. Bring plenty of earplugs.

13. Go see Mojo Nixon on March 20 at the Continental Club. He claims he's retiring, God love him.

Have fun, and tell me about everything I missed.

Meanwhile... Are we really going to have no buses on St. Patrick's Day?

The Owls on MPR...

You can listen online to the great Chris Roberts segment about the Owls, a band whose CD-release show at the Turf Club you should really see on Saturday, if you're in Minnesota. I gave Roberts pure interview gold (not). The Owls are one of my favorite bands ever from this town, and that's saying something, I hope. I wrote about them last month in City Pages and also here on the blog.

Actually, This Is a Pretty Remarkable Weekend for Minnesota Music Releases

Kate Silver interviews the Hold Steady in this week's Pulse. Matos does the same in this week's City Pages. Already bought my tickets to Monday's all-ages show at the Triple Rock. Sorry, the Owls and Walker Kong have my heart for Saturday night. (Kate reviews Walker Kong's new one in City Pages, too. It's a Kate Silver week. Oh, but I do adore this old Christina Schmitt profile of the band.) You know about P.O.S. on Sunday, I hope. What a weekend for great CD releases, probably the best that local music has seen since... I won't say it. (See below for a fuller music schedule for this weekend.) All of the above artists get play in Riemenschneider's column today. And to top it off, Chris Hesler profiles Party of One in City Pages. (Buy their latest 12-inch now.) What's the deal with the photo in the print edition, anyway, did Eric Fifteen back out of appearing in the paper? Weird.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 12, 2004 12:24 AM

Owls poster

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 11, 2004 8:16 PM

The Fuck Clear Channel Tour

Filed under: Imported

                    drawing by Adam Dalton

Imagine Howard Stern reading something more radical than Al Franken's latest book before making jihad on Clear Channel. Then imagine he can rap. That's Sage Francis in a nutsack: cranky, radicalized, happy to spank you. For hip-hop fans tired of wincing over the lyrical content of their favorite songs, Francis is the moralist of the moment, sugaring good rants with good jokes: "I attend vigils for Matthew Shepard while you put out another fucking faggot record." His DJ in Non-Prophets, Joe Beats, is the purer pleasure: Last year's "Disasters" (on the album Hope) sounded like '70s New Orleans trapped in an '80s video game. Come early for Grand Buffet, Mac Lethal, and the Gimme Fund. All ages. $10/$15 at the door. 5:00 p.m. First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612.332.1775. (from my A-List in today's City Pages)

Here's Sage Francis rapping with Slug. Oh, and the P.O.S. story got discussed at a bulletin board called "Weirdos of Color," and at a Yahoo group called Black and Punk. The world isn't all grey.

Eight Days a Week: March 10-March 17

(compiled from the City Pages A-List, the Twin Cities Alternative Shows List, the D.U. Nation "scene" page, other links under GOING OUT IN MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

PICK Broken Social Scene, the Stills. $15. 8:00, 400 BAR, 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 PICK The Fuck Clear Channel Tour: SAGE FRANCIS & JOE BEATS (Non-Prophets), GRAND BUFFET, Mac Lethal, the Gimme Fund. All ages. $10/$15. 5:00 p.m., FIRST AVENUE, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 PICK Chromatics, Clipd Beaks, Knife World, HWH3, 9:00 p.m. Triple Rock Social Club BOB DYLAN & HIS BAND $46.75. 6:30 p.m. Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 171 W Kellogg Blvd (at RiverCentre), St. Paul, 651.989.5151. McCoy Tyner Trio. $30-$40. 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB & RESTAURANT, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010 Jan, Vena Cava, The Crown Vics, 9P.M. Uptown Bar $0 The Foundation, w/ Aaron Money, Kojack, 03/10/04 9:30 P.M., 21+, King and I Thai, FREE!

THURSDAY, MARCH 11

PICK Liz Phair. With Rachael Yamagata, Patrick Park. $20. 6:00 p.m., FIRST AVENUE 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 PICK Thirstin Howl III, Rack Lo, Juice, Seel, Doomtree, EPL and Snakebird, DJ King Otto. 18+. $10. 8:30 p.m., the Cabooze, 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.6425 Teatro del Pueblo's Political Theatre Festival: Intermedia Arts and the Resource Center for the Americas join forces for a festival of political theater. Series A features Emiliano Silva's "The Myth of Metamorphosis" and Enrique Buenaventura's "The Schoolteacher." Series B features Leopoldo Hernandez's "We Were Always Afraid" and Osvaldo Dragun's "Stories for the Theatre." Please call 651.224.8806 for more information, or visit http://teatrodelpueblo.org Every W-Su Mar 11-21 , Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls., 612.871.4444 Edupoetic Enterbrainment: Live Band, 03/11/04, 9:00 P.M., 21+, The Rox, St.Cloud, MN Grickle-Grass, Guitarzan vs. Bazzilla, Choplogic, 9P.M. Uptown Bar $0 A Whisper in the Noise, If Thousands, Rivulets, April Seconds. $6. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Henry (CD Release Party); Dear Sweet Villians. $3 DUTTY VIBEZ, Dancehall For The People, Real Caribbean Vibez, 9:00 P.M., 21+, First Avenue, (VIP Room), $3 (9p.m. - 11p.m.), $6 (11p.m. - 2am), Birthdays & Members Free +3 Omar & the Howlers (CD-Release Party). $5, FAMOUS DAVE'S BBQ, 3001 Hennepin Ave S (in Calhoun Sq), Mpls., 612.822.9900 Jeff Goldstein Group (CD-Release Show). 8:00 p.m., DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB & RESTAURANT, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

PICK Ziggy Marley, Michael Franti, Spearhead. 18+. $25. 6:00 p.m., THE QUEST 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 PICK John Vanderslice, Okkervil River, Kid Dakota. $8. 9:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 PICK Mark Mallman, First Prize Killers, 9P.M. Uptown Bar $6 PICK Replacements Tribute, with The Rakes, Alicia Corbett, Taste Like Burning, Lazy Ike and the Daredevils, $6, 8:00 p.m. The Fine Line Music Cafe.  DJs Jon Frank and Freddy Fresh (great DJs spinnning during a night wrongheadedly titled Ibiza sessions--Dude, Ibiza is so 2003) 9:00 p.m. / 21+ID $3.00 until 11 p.m., $6.00 until Close, Free with College ID, Members Free Game Night, hosted by Felipe, Mazta I, Carnage and Eyedea, 9:00 P.M. All Ages, Fifth Element, FREE! Manplanet. $4, TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 Lalo Mora. 18+. 8:00 p.m., EL NUEVO RODEO, 2709 E Lake St, Mpls., 612.728.0101 Molly Hatchet (no original members, but I hear good things about their newer albums). $8/$10. 8:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefit Como Are Youth Athletics, GABE'S BY THE PARK, 991 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul, 651.646.3066 Tesla. $25. 5:30 p.m., FIRST AVENUE, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 How Birds Work (CD-Release Party). $10. 9:00 p.m., ARTISTS' QUARTER, 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359 Sound Salvation (CD release), Huge Rat Attacks, 7P.M. Metric House AA Ol' Yeller, Housebreaker, Falcon Crest, Jake Wisti & the Centurions. $6. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 The Early November. With Hey Mercedes, Limbeck, Spitalfield. All ages. $10/$12. 5:00 p.m., THE QUEST ASCOT ROOM. 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383 Nachito Herrera. $10. 9:00 p.m., DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB & RESTAURANT, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010 Muffler Chump, Johnnyrook, [CANCELED]A Summary Execution, After All, 9P.M. 4th Street Station $5 Smilin' Liar, Facecage, R-Evolution, 9P.M. Urban Wildlife Club 18+ $5/8

SATURDAY, MARCH 13

PICK The Owls, Walker Kong, Best Friends Forever, DJ Danny Sigelman. Double CD-Release show. $4, TURF CLUB, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486 PICK (ALSO MONDAY) The Hold Steady, the Monarques, the Washington Social Club. $8. 10:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Old Scratch (formerly Notwhile) play a benefit show at the Bedlam Theater on the West Bank. BIG BRAZILIAN NIGHT, MUSIC & DANCE, WITH ELIEZER FREITAS SANTOS, JACKIE DU PORT & CO (BRAZILIAN SAMBA DANCE) and: FROM BRAZIL, ALEXI , GUITAR; FROM BRAZIL, CARLA, VOICE; FROM CUBA, VIVIANA, VOICE & PIANO; JOSE CURVELO (FROM URUGUAY); YAWO (bass); CAPOEIRA WITH YOJI SENNA; SATURDAY, MARCH 13 AT 9 PM, BLUE NILE, FRANKLIN & 22 St., West Bank  12 Rods. $8/$10. 8:00 p.m., 400 Bar Fifth Element Open Mic, 03/13/04, 6:00 P.M., All Ages, Fifth Element Vanilla Ice, 03/13/04, 6:00 P.M., 18+, The Quest FREE?!?! Crashing by Design, Offhand, Five Small Words, Losing Interest, The Semester, The Fallback, Worst Case Scenario, Doors 6:30 p.m. $5 for the show, or $10 for lock-in after party (until 5:00 AM) The Garage, Burnsville Kid Rock, Target Center AA The Wrens, Bottom of the Hudson, Little Dirt. $8. 8:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 DREAM THEATER $36.50/$44.50. 7:00 pm. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls.; 612.339.7007 Simon Shaheen, 6:00 p.m., Great Hall and Jerome Theater, 180 E. 5th St., St. Paul. $70. benefit for Mizna Los Nativos, Kanser, New Primitives, 21+, 5 Corners Saloon, $5.00, 501 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.338.6424 Savage Aural Hotbed, High Blue Star, 9P.M. Uptown Bar Bone Appetit, 9P.M. The Steak Knife How Birds Work (CD-Release Party). $10. 9:00 p.m., ARTISTS' QUARTER 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359 Nachito Herrera. $10. 9:00 p.m., DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB & RESTAURANT, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010 Bringin' the Funk. $10. 9:00 p.m., ESCAPE ULTRA LOUNGE 600 Hennepin Ave, Mpls., 612.333.8855 St. Patrick's Day Party. Featuring Gel, Uncle Chunk. $8/$10. 8:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefit Como Are Youth Athletics, GABE'S BY THE PARK, 991 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul, 651.646.3066 The Fuck Yeahs, Pearlene, Bloody Hollies, the Bamboo Kids. 5:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Edupoetic Enterbrainment: THE RUMBLE, w/ DJ Stage One, 03/13/04 9:00 P.M., 21+, The Dinkytowner, $5.00 THE BUNGALOW, REGGAE/CARIBBEAN, DANCE MUSIC AND HIP HOP. HOSTED BY VERB X, USE MAINROOM DOORS, 03/13/04, 9:00 P.M., 21+, First Avenue, (VIP Room), $3 (9p.m. - 11p.m.), $6 (11p.m. - 2am), Free with College ID

SUNDAY, MARCH 14

PICK The Hold Steady LIVE on Radio K (KUOM-AM 770 & KUOM-FM 106.5), as this week�s guest on �The Music Lovers Club� (MLC), Sunday, March 14, with hosts Karla and Sarah at 12:00 p.m., live in-studio performance and interview. 770 AM, 106.5 FM in the West Metro, and at http://www.radiok.org PICK P.O.S. CD-Release Shows: ALL-AGES: 4:00 p.m. P.O.S., Cecil Otter, Sims, Dessa, EPL & Snakebird, and the Plastic Constellations as house band. With the C.O.R.E.! $5. 4:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775. 21+: 9:00 p.m. P.O.S., Cecil Otter, Sims, Dessa, EPL & Snakebird, and the Plastic Constellations as house band. With Prime (of the Molemen in Chicago). $5. 9:00 p.m., 7TH ST. ENTRY, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775. The Hold Steady, 9P.M. Pizza Lucé (Duluth) The Mavericks. With BR5-49. $28.50/$29.50. 7:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Jesse Powell & Teedra Moses, Bachelor Boy Entertainment Presents, Escape Ultra Lounge KMOJ and Bachelor Boy Entertainment Present: HEART & SOUL SUNDAY, 9:00 P.M., 21+, Escape Ultra Lounge, $5.00 The Church, Sea Ray. $10/$12. 8:00 p.m., FIRST AVENUE, 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 KBEM WINTER JAZZ FEST Featuring 5 stages; with Mimi Fox; Jimmy Dawkins. $20/$25. 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. For more information call 612.288.2060 or visit www.tctix.com. Millennium Hotel, 1313 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 612.332.6000. Hip Hop Night, Envy with BlacOut and more, 8:00 P.M., 21+, 5 Corners, $3.00

MONDAY, MARCH 15

PICK The Hold Steady, the Voltz, Anueretical. All ages. $8. 6:00 p.m., TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB, 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 PICK Fat Possum's Juke Joint Caravan. With T-Ford Model featuring Spam, Kenny Brown & Cedric Burnside, Paul 'Wine' Jones. $11/$13. 7:00 p.m., FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE, 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 (SOLD OUT) KEB MO $30. 7:30 p.m. Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland Pl, Mpls., 612.377.2224 MC BATTLE NIGHT, *Feb Champ*, Mazta I, 03/15/04, 9:00 P.M., 18+, Loring Pasta Bar, $5.00 21+, $7.00 18+ Hip Hop Night @ The Loring Pasta Bar Steve Tyrell. $27-$35. 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB & RESTAURANT, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010

TUESDAY, MARCH 16

Poets Grove, w/ Desdamona, Kevin Washington, 9:00 P.M., 18+, The Blue Nile, FREE! 651 Music Group PHAT TUESDAYS, Featuring DJ AK and Special Guests, 03/16/04, 9:00 P.M., 18+, Red Sea, $7.00 Pariah Caste, Bailer, Falcon Crest, 6P.M. Metric House AA Art of Jam & Nextainment: ESCAPE TO REGGAE, 03/16/04, 9:00 P.M., 21+, Escape Ultra Lounge, $5.00 (Tue: CANCELED: Method Man, the C.O.R.E. 18+. $20. 8:00 p.m., THE QUEST, 110 5th St N, Mpls., 612.338.3383)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, St. Patrick's Day (Nick Federspiel's birthday!)

Lil' Mo, 03/17/04, Escape Ultra Lounge, 9:00 P.M. $10.00 Minnesotans for a United Ireland: St. Patrick's Day Ceili Featuring dance, music, storytelling. $8, $5 for children 6-17. 7:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17. Randolph Heights Elementary School 348 Hamline Ave S, St. Paul, 651.293.8780 St. Patrick's Day Parade Parade begins at Fourth and Wacouta Streets, heads west on 4th Street, ends at Rice Park. Free. Noon. For more information visit http://www.stpatsassoc.org or call 651.256.2155. Wed Mar 17, Downtown St. Paul St. Paul The Soviettes, A-Bomb Nation All ages. $6. 6:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Triple Rock Social Club 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 Cumbia Caliente With Grupo Fuggaz. 18+. $5. 8:00 p.m. Every W El Nuevo Rodeo 2709 E Lake St, Mpls., 612.728.0101 The Irish Brigade Mar 3-Apr 3, Half Time Rec 1013 Front Ave, St. Paul, 651.488.8245 Lazy Ike Wed Mar 17, Lee's Liquor Lounge 101 Glenwood Ave N (at 11th St), Mpls., 612.338.9491 Boiled in Lead, the MN Pipes & Drums, the Tim Malloys, Felonious Bosch $7/$10. 6:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, First Avenue 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775  Iffy $8. 8:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Belfast Cowboys, Alicia Corbett Wed Mar 17, Turf Club 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling Ave), St. Paul, 651.647.0486  Manifesters, Unknown Prophets, I.O.N., TD, Shades of Darkness, DJ Axel on the 1's and 2's, (Last HipHop show in Stillwater EVER), (Free Give-A-Ways all night), 9:00 P.M., 18+, St. Croix Music Cafe, (317 Main St and Nelson), Downtown Stillwater, $5.00 The Ebony & Ivory Lounge, 03/17/04, 9:30 P.M., 21+, King and I Thai, FREE! Stolen by Serious, 9P.M. Urban Wildlife Club $5 Andréana Cortés, 7P.M. Taco Toro's AA  Day of Dance and St. Patrick's Day Celebration Featuring Irish food, dance, vendors, pipe bands, entertainment, geneology, contests, more. $5, $3 children. 11:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Sun, 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. Wed. Every W,Su Mar 14-17 Landmark Center 75 W 5th St, St. Paul, 651.292.3225 13 Reasons, the Fighting Tongs Wed Mar 17, O'Gara's Garage 164 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, 651.644.3333 Letho & Wright 8:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Neumann's Bar 2531 E 7th Ave, St. Paul, 651.770.6020  Long Since Forgotten, the Drive Back, the Spill Canvas Wed Mar 17, The Fallout 2609 Stevens Ave S, Mpls., 612.462.3873  Luke's Angels $3. 9:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17, Bar Lurcat 1624 Harmon Pl, Mpls., 612.486.5900 Minnesota Folk Festival: Irish Ceili Dance Featuring music by Barra. $7/$9. 7:00 p.m. Dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 651.292.4900. CSPS Hall 383 Michigan St (at West 7th St.), St. Paul, 651.290.0542 Minnesota Pipes & Drums, Tramps & Hawkers Wed Mar 17, Keegan's Irish Pub 16 University Ave NE, Mpls., 612.252.0880 St. Patrick's Day Party Featuring Soulmates, Lamont Cranston, the Hoopsnakes. $8/$10. 4:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefit Como Are Youth Athletics. Wed Mar 17, Gabe's By The Park 991 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul, 651.646.3066 The Ebony & Ivory Lounge 10:00 p.m. to 1:45 am. Wed Mar 17, King & I Thai 1346 LaSalle Ave, Mpls., 612.332.6928 Uncle Chunk Wed Mar 17, Pov's Sports Bar and Grill 1851 Bunker Lake Blvd., Andover, 763.755.2323 Underground Movements: St. Patrick's Day Jam Featuring Manifesters, Unknown Prophets, I.O.N., TD, Shades of Darkness, DJ Axel. 18+. $5. 10:00 p.m. Wed Mar 17 St. Croix Live Music Cafe 317 Main St, Stillwater, 651.439.0024

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 10, 2004 9:50 AM

Sage

Filed under: Imported

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 10, 2004 9:47 AM

MPR buys a mansion

Filed under: Imported

                                             art by Addie Mrosla

Minnesota Public Radio has purchased a mansion on Lake of the Isles, at 2409 Lake of the Isles Parkway East, according to the Business Journal. As for less dubious MPR moves, they're also seeking proposals for classical music programming. (This was announced, coincidentally, not long after my tribute to Classical 89.3 ran in City Pages.) There's no deadline for your 1-3-page ideas, so pitch away.

How Zu-Zu's Petals singer Laurie Lindeen learned to stop worrying and love Liz Phair.

Legendary dance-scene promoters Rich Best and Jack Trash (a.k.a. Sound in Motion) will be ending their Saturday dance nights the Quest after this month. The Minneapolis club will continue booking 18+ Saturday dance nights, but "Plush" (as "the Circle" used to be known) will move over to Tabu (scroll down here for club info) on Fridays in April, with drink specials, "ladies free until 10:30 p.m.," and scheduled DJs John Acquaviva, Dave Seaman and Phil K, Lego, and more.

  After eons of delay, Spymob's album is reportedly scheduled to come out April 6, though not on the Neptunes' Star Trak label: Instead it's on... Ruthless Records?! My gangstas! The similarly delayed Clipse album is supposedly due the same date, on Arista.

  I laughed my ass off at Nate on Drums on Channel 45 in Minneapolis last Sunday, the local music and comedy show. Next broadcast: April 3.

Cecile Cloutier's bus strike blog is rocking. Don't sleep.

  Riemenschneider came out against a smoking ban in clubs Friday. I feel him, but trips to San Diego and New York are pulling me in the other direction...

The Holmes Brothers on Sunday at the Cedar were brilliant when it came to country covers and funk, boring when it came to slow blues and "Amazing Grace." Their album is worth owning...

The Soviettes seemed unusually slack in the Entry, Saturday. Where's the beat, kids? Still looking forward to the new record...

In Eight Days a Week below, I just now added Rob Skoro's show tonight at the Speakeasy, my favorite Tuesday DJ hangout, though I'll probably miss it. And in my Passion of the Christ post, I added a link to Stuart Klawans's brilliant Nation review. Read it now.

Thanks to Doomtree for the shoutouts on the Beat Box and the Groove Garden Saturday. What I didn't get across in the P.O.S. article, as far as how good they are, was plain to hear when they rapped. Looking forward to the Entry shows on Sunday. By the way, here's some more art by somebody with an indirect connection to them, Addie Mrosla:

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 9, 2004 2:27 PM

The Gray album

Filed under: Imported

Crap, the body in the East River actually did turn out to be Spalding Gray. I'm a big fan, so this is more than pop-culture sad. Mosedale pointed me to this article in New York magazine about the actor and storyteller's downward spiral. But hey, here's...

Cole, the Four-Year-Old Drummer

I'm having Old Skull flashbacks. Which brings me to...

All-Ages Clubs in Minneapolis/St. Paul!

The March 2  Minneapolis Observer reports that people aged 15 to 19 buy more music than any other age group in the country, but "only a handful of the hundreds of live shows" around town cater to this group. True enough, but there are still options, and some of them don't involve much driving (try Mapquest for the ones that do). Here's a complete list, though you should go here for the permanent link:

AM Lounge (St. Paul): This homey Lowertown cafe features live bands as well as acoustic performers, and food served all day until 3:00 a.m. Located on Robert St. between 9th and 10th, 488 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN 55101-2237, 651.225.9445. ALL-AGES

Acadia Cafe (Minneapolis): This sit-down cafe and theater sells wine for the 21+ set, and features pretty incredible improv jazz, electronic and experimental music, and all sorts of other stuff. (Here's a full calendar.) At Franklin and Nicollet, 1931 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612.874.8702. ALL-AGES

ArtaMotive (Minneapolis): This Nordeast gallery sells local CDs (giving the money entirely to the artists) and has a history of cool live shows by local punk and art bands, especially during Art-A-Whirl. 208 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, 612.706.0840. ALL-AGES

Beaner's Central (Duluth): Drive two and a half hours north of the Twin Cities for this nice cafe/wine bar with food and a small stage for rock, hip hop, reggae, whatever. The club cards at the counter, making it effectively all-ages. Here's their calendar (Haley Bonar got one of her starts here), and buy their CD compilation when you go. 324 N. Central Avenue, Duluth, MN 55807, 218.624.5957. ALL-AGES

Blue Nile (Minneapolis): African-owned, internationally-populated West Bank restaurant and club features 18+ Tuesday poetry and hip-hop nights, but call for details. Here are directions. 2027 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, 55404, 612.338.3000. SOMETIMES 18+

Bryant-Lake Bowl (Minneapolis): All shows at this hep Lake St. bowling alley/theater/restaurant/wine bar with cabaret seating are all-ages, including hip-hop and rock gigs. (Bring your own ear plugs.) 810 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55408, 612.825.3737. ALL-AGES

The Cabooze (Minneapolis): Call to find out about age restrictions (they aren't on the calendar), but from my experience, hip-hop shows at this big, classic West Bank bar are 18+, with a bracelet to drink. 917 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis MN 55404, 612.338.6425. OFTEN 18+

The Cave (Northfield): The oldest continuously-run pub in the state, supposedly (here's their main page), this cozy landmark sits on a scenic campus hillside less than 45 minutes south of the Twin Cities (here's some directions). It's a 3.2 bar in a dorm basement at Carleton College, so it caters to students and requires a state I.D. to drink. But from my experience, the venue isn't strict about keeping non-students out, and is effectively all-ages. What's more (thanks to college-funded booking) a lot of big-name acts, local and national, pop up here. Basement of Margaret Evans Hall, Carleton College, Northfield. (No phone number.) 18+

The Cedar Cultural Centre (Minneapolis): Like the Bryant-Lake Bowl, this is a sit-down all-ages space with beer for the 21+ crowd, and a rep for great international music, jazz, and folk. (Click here to join the all-volunteer staff.) 416 Cedar Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612.338.2674. ALL-AGES

Club 3 Degrees (Minneapolis): Last year this Christian music mecca (you'll pardon the phrase) relocated from Central Avenue to the den of sin--the Minneapolis Warehouse District, across from the Quest--and changed its name. I haven't been to the new space yet, but I hear good things, and the lineup remains characteristically diverse: hip hop, metal, national, gospel. Here's the full schedule, but check out Christian Happenings for more events around town along these lines. 113 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, info@club3degrees.com, 612.781.8488. ALL-AGES

D.U. Nation scene page: Like the Twin Cities Alternative Shows List, D.U. Nation offers a useful list of shows with age restrictions included, but this one is all about the hip hop. Indispensable. ALL-AGES

The Depot Coffee House (Hopkins): This converted old train station in Hopkins has been a teen center since 1998 (here's the erratic official site), and hosts Friday night concerts (rock, hip hop, whatever) reserved for ages 14-18. The Depot has also had hip-hop open mic nights, and put out a CD featuring local bands Rude Awakening, New Renaissance, Help Wanted, and Emu (still available for $10 at the space). Run by a high-school-age board of directors. 9451 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins, MN 55343, 952-938-2204. FRIDAY 14-18

The Dinkytowner (Minneapolis): Named the best all-ages venue by City Pages on the strength of its great Sunday evenings alone, this nice Dinkytown basement club with pool tables books everything from hip hop to avant-garde noise. 412 1/2 14th Avenue SE., Minneapolis, MN, 55412, 612.362.0427. SUNDAY ALL-AGES

District 202 (Minneapolis): This gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender youth center features 21-and-under dance nights every Saturday, as well as many other music events that are all-ages and open to the public. Here's their main page. 1601 Nicollet Ave S., 612.871.5559, ext. 11. UNDER-22, SOMETIMES ALL-AGES

El Nuevo Rodeo: Renovated and renamed under new ownership (including the singer and bandleader of Sabor Tropical), the former Vannandy's restaurant is the largest salsa dancefloor in town, and the city's premiere live Latin American music palace, with frequent 18+ dance nights (so far as I can tell, most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Also features norteño, conjunto, banda, Tejano, mariachi, tropicál, Mexican pop, and house. 2709 E Lake St, Mpls., 612.728.0101. FREQUENT 18+

Escape Ultra Lounge (Minneapolis): "18 to party, 21 to drink" on Thursdays, at this swank Minneapolis R&B club in the Block E skyway, which overlooks First Avenue. On the corners of 6th Street and 1st Avenue, Minneapolis, info@escapeultralounge.com, 612.333.8855. THURSDAY 18+

The Fallout (Minneapolis): Launched in 2001, this Christian-oriented youth center-cum-art space fills the old Coffee Shock niche: It's sponsored by Source MN, Inc., a religious-based non-profit organization, but seems to feature plenty of secular all-ages emo/punk/metal shows that don't force religion onto either the bands or the audiences. Here's a calendar, which should fill up more once renovations are completed. 2609 Stevens Ave S., Minneapolis,  612.462.3873 ALL-AGES

Fifth Element (Minneapolis) record store: The Rhymesayers' hip-hop shop in Kenwood hosts free, all-ages open-mic competitions every Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. See some of the best-known MCs in town trade rhymes with kids not out of gradeschool yet. 2411 Hennepin Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612.377.0044. ALL-AGES

Fine Line Music Cafe (Minneapolis): The 18+ shows might be few here, but they're worth seeking out at this newly refurbished Warehouse District club, which has always featured a wide variety of national acts, and stays especially good on cutting-edge country and metal. 318 1st Ave N., Minneapolis, 612.335.8181. OCCASIONAL 18+

First Avenue and the 7th St. Entry (Minneapolis). The greatest club in Minnesota history was among the first to offer all-ages shows in the mid-'80s, and still books them often, though sadly, the all-ages or 18+ dance nights seem to have disappeared. Check their calendar for details. 701 First Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612.338.8388. OFTEN ALL-AGES, 18+

The Garage (Burnsville): This is the only nonstop all-ages club in the Twin Cities that I can find. Booked by the Minnesota Teen Music Association, and located in the Burnsville Youth Center Foundation, it's just off Nicollet Avenue, near 35W, 35E, and HWY-13, by the Minnesota River. Click here for directions. The address is 75 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337, garage@ci.burnsville.mn.us 952.895.4664. ALL-AGES

Gay 90s (Minneapolis). Homophobes please fuck off: The Gay 90s has always been cool, always been gay (despite popular belief among some), and always (well, at least for a while) been a good place for cool and tolerant straights to drop by and dance their asses off to house music and hip hop, enjoy a drag show, or take in the male entertainment. The club is still 18+ on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, from 9:00 p.m. to close. 408 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, 612.333.7755. WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SUNDAYS 18+

Ginkgo Coffee House (St. Paul): This St. Paul spot on Snelling near the Midway is a must-stop for fans of acoustic singer-songwriters, though I'm not normally one (here's the complete calendar, and here's a special schedule of Friday night bookings). Many stars of the genre breeze through here before and after they become big. 721 N. Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 651.645.2647. ALL-AGES

Independent Music Foundation shows page: This is a list of DIY all-ages music shows, mostly punk, mostly booked by the all-volunteer group that kept the Babylon Gallery rattling before it burned down. If you want to help out, the Foundation (doesn't that sound a little too "establishment"?) meets every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. at Extreme Noise Records, 407 W. Lake St. in Minneapolis. ALL-AGES

The Java Joint (St. Cloud): Actually, the web site won't work for a couple weeks, but I've written about the place here at Complicatedfun.com, and really love it. Who'd a thought: a cool all-ages coffee shop featuring live rock and hip hop (hey, isn't that a member of the Hydrophonics behind the counter?) located in a college town about an hour west of the Twin Cities. 710 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN 56301, 320.656.5990. ALL-AGES

The Key (Northfield): Cool cafe with great alternative diner food in Northfield, now featuring all-ages concerts put on by the Northfield Union of Youth (though the bands aren't listed on the web site yet). 303 South Water Street, Northfield, Minnesota 55057, 507.663.0715. ALL-AGES

Loring Pasta Bar (Minneapolis): You have to be 21 to enjoy the more atmospheric (and comfortable) Loring Bar knockoff, the Kitty Cat Klub. But this high-ceilinged restaurant down the same block in Dinkytown features 18+ hip-hop nights and other student-friendly events, so maybe it's the better spot. 327 14th Av. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612.378.4849, info@loringcafe.com 18+

Medina Entertainment Center (Medina): Unless otherwise marked on their calendar, the blues and oldies shows at this ballroom/bowling alley/entertainment complex are 18+, though the venue caters to "families" more than "youth," per se, or so I gather. Located 5 miles West of 494 on Hwy 55, 500 Highway 55, Medina, MN 55340, 763.478.6661. 18+

Metric House (Minneapolis): One of the many house addresses you'll find at the Twin Cities Alternative Shows List, this one actually has a web site! I haven't been there, but would expect metal and hardcore. 2301 23rd Ave S., Minneapolis. ALL-AGES

MNVibe events page. If "raves" are dead in the Twin Cities, here's where you'll find the dance-music-scene events not yet giving up the ghost: Check out updates and links for such parties as New Dawn, a 16+ legal DJ celebration scheduled for April 3. ALL-AGES

Minneapolis Underground: An e-mailing list devoted to music that's "under-underground," i.e., challenging, many of these shows are... ALL-AGES

Montana Cafe (Minneapolis): This sunny and comfortable hangout near City Pages rarely has live music these days, but when it does, it's a treat, often with some of the best local roots/rock musicians showing up for rare gigs. 514 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, 612.338.2002. ALL-AGES

Munkabean and Sunshine Cafe (Hopkins): Mostly acoustic/folk fare here, but I'll have to visit myself to find out more. 1206 Mainstreet, Hopkins 55343, 952.938.9056. ALL-AGES

Patrick's Cabaret (Minneapolis): As you might guess, this is mainly a cabaret, located not far off of East Lake St., but with plenty of high school-type events that include music as well as other performance. 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 612.721.3595. ALL-AGES

Pizza Luce (Duluth): Like Arnold's from Happy Days run by a bunch of tattooed punks, Luce serves great grub, hosts great 18+ rock shows in its plush interior, and is just two and a half great hours north of the Twin Cities, with carding at the door. Click "Duluth Live Music" on the main page to get the calendar, and make a weekend of it. 11 E. Superior St., Duluth, 218.727.7400. 18+

Profile Music Cafe (Minneapolis): This is mostly a rented-out facility with various and occasional bookers, so there's no web site that I see, but it's still worth watching, mostly for teen dances and punk festivals. 2630 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612.378.2200. ALL-AGES

The Quest (Minneapolis): Along with its smaller upstairs space, the Ascot Room, the Quest books a ton of big-name 18+ shows, with a bracelet to drink, and features the 18+ Saturday dance night staple, Full Circle. 110 North Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612.338.3383. MOSTLY 18+, SOMETIMES ALL-AGES

Red Sea (Minneapolis): Where this bar (here's the main page) once mingled hip-hop and indie-rock scenes, it now lets them coexist seperately, along with vital punk and metal, and at frequent 18+ live and DJ events. 316-320 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612.333.1644. 18 +

Rodeo: I haven't been to this Cottage Grove country bar (here's a map), but it features 18+ nights on Friday's, for K102's Dance Party, with country and Top-40 dance music. 7359 W Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, 651.458.0636 FRIDAY 18+

Segue Cafe (Maple Grove): Christian-oriented coffee shop/youth center, with everything from acoustic music to hard rock in the evening, mostly with young performers. Closed Sundays, natch. (Here's the full calendar. See also: the Aquarium, a youth room at the Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, run by the same guy.) 11271 96th Ave. N., Maple Grove MN 55369, 763.424.3940. ALL-AGES

Southern Theater (Minneapolis): Not a lot of music at this dance headquarters, but the stuff they do feature is often good. 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612.340.1725. ALL-AGES

Speedboat Gallery (St. Paul): This midway bookstore and basement art gallery has a long tradition of live alternative shows and musical art openings. Just north of I-94, 3 blocks past University Ave on Snelling: 566 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul, 651.641.0538. ALL-AGES

Tabu (formerly South Beach): The swank club formerly known as South Beach makes up for in nice lighting and sleekness what it has lost in the ceiling it built where the peer-down balcony used to be. The venue still has 18+ hip hop on Wednesdays, and 18+ house and techno on Thursdays and Sundays. 325 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.204.0790. OFTEN 18+

The Triple Rock Social Club (Minneapolis): The newest and best alternative music club in town (here's their main page), the T-Rock is located about halfway between the Cabooze and the 400 Bar on the West Bank, and features about three all-ages music events per week, most of them punk matinees, and lists age restrictions on their calendar. 629 Cedar Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612.333.SEXY. OFTEN ALL-AGES

Tropix (Minneapolis): For 15-20-year-olds looking for a tropical party bar (and hey, who isn't), this Warehouse District club holds under-age dance nights on Fridays and Saturdays in the rear dance room ("The Back Door"). The main room is open Wednesday through Sunday until 2:00 a.m., and is "18 to party, 21 to drink." With ladIes nights, service industry nights, beer specials, and a "Best Bods on the Beach Contest," this tucked-away bar (driving directions) is pretty much what you'd expect from the name. 400 3rd Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55401, 612.333.1006. FRIDAY-SATURDAY 15-20, 18+

Twin Cities Alternative Shows List, All-Ages Page: Please start here. TC Shows List is the live-music bible for all-ages concerts in the Twin Cities, tirelessly updated and blessedly thorough, complete with detailed age restrictions. You can cross-reference the calendar with the venue page, or with my own venue links. (See especially the venues I've left off this short list because they aren't really clubs: big theaters, arenas, home addresses, etc.) ALL-AGES

TC Underground (Minneapolis): A nonprofit youth center for young adults aged 12-22, featuring all kinds of shows, from punk to rap. (Here's their main site.) Located at 405 W. Lake St., 612.362.0427. 12-22

Urban Wildlife Club (Minneapolis): This Warehouse District bar hosts 18+ shows only about every couple weeks, but its local hip-hop and metal shows are worth tracking down (here's the bar's main page). 4th Street and 2nd Avenue N, 190 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401, 612.339.4665. OCCASIONAL 18+

Warehouse Nightclub (Playground): I haven't been to this Como Avenue dance room, but judging by the promotions, it's baby's first sleaze: Fridays and Tuesdays appear to be 18+, while Saturdays are "Playground Teen Night," which I take to mean 15+ (call to make sure). Tuesdays are "Get Busted," where you can enter to win breast implants. Remember, friends don't let friends get cosmetic surgury. 2554 Como Ave, St. Paul, 651.645.4618. OFTEN 18+

Whole Music Club (Minneapolis): For a little while, it looked like this classic all-ages campus venue might be back in full swing, after a long construction-involved absence, but no shows are currently scheduled there. (That calendar also includes Coffman Memorial Union shows, which are more frequent.) 300 Washington SE (Coffman Memorial Union), Minneapolis, 612.624.6224. 18+

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 8, 2004 5:34 PM

Micranots Break Up

Filed under: Imported

From Kandis Knight's DUNation.com interview with I Self Devine yesterday:

So what is the future for the Micranots?

Well, the way things are looking this will be the last Micranots album.

Why do you say that?

Many reasons. Space, different ways of working and the love is not there basically. If the love is not in something you are doing then it becomes really twisted. I feel trapped by the Micranots right now to tell you the truth.

(READ THE REST HERE.)

Didn't Even Have to Use My AK...

Aside from that sad news, I've had a good 24 hours. After I interviewed Al Green yesterday, P.O.S., Dessa, Sims, and Lazerbeak dropped by the office after work to give me a bag of White Castle (writing on the outside of it, "Smell it!"). I have to admit, I was moved.

Then Toasty and I went to see DJ Jazzy Jeff at Escape Ultra Lounge, where Jeff kicked off by cutting two 12-inches of "Crazy In Love" against each other until the song really did feel crazy, like a straight-jacket patient stuck with the Chi-Lites on mental repeat into eternity.

Then this morning I got these proposed link designs for ComplicatedFun.com from Lars J. Larson, of D.U. Nation. Which do you like best? (The second one makes me laugh.)



A Pop-Culture-Reference Guide to the P.O.S. Story

(Daniel Corrigan's original cover photo)

It just occurred to me that the only people who "get" all the pop-cultural references in my P.O.S. cover story might be me and P.O.S., so I've decided to provide links for all of the references here, in roughly the order they appear:

Chingy

Ol' Dirty Bastard

The Triple Rock

Dr. Dre

Almost Famous

Wheelo

Tick Tock

DJ Jazzy Jeff

The Fresh Prince

He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper

Budweiser

Cadillac Blindside

Building Better Bombs

Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Lester Bangs

'93 Volkswagen Golf

John Doe

Urban Bean

Motorola

Black Flag

Damaged

Motown

Dead Kennedys

Minor Threat

Foxfire Coffee Lounge (R.I.P.)

Sean Tillman

Har Mar Superstar

Edgefest

George Bush

Nas

"The World Is Yours"

Public Enemy

Fugazi

Modest Mouse

Rancid

The Plastic Constellations

DJ Shadow

Russell Simmons (Def Jam, his place in hip-hop history)

Zach

Kanser

Afro-Punk: The Rock N' Roll Nigger Experience

Matt Davis

Ten Grand

Brainerd

"I'm looking Minneapolis, but I'm feeling North Dakota"

the Mainroom

Starsky & Hutch

Pharrell

Swiss Army

Women Records

Atmosphere

Slug

Tom Servo

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Cheapo

Saint Sabrina's

Billy

Rick's Cabaret

Drew Barrymore

Alcoholics Anonymous

Company Flow

District 202

Antarctica

Medida

Wookiefoot

Festiva

Charles Bronson

The Dinkytowner

Twista

MF Doom

drum 'n' bass

Missy

White Castle

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 4, 2004 5:46 PM

P.O.S.: There's always more to the story

Filed under: Imported

Ha ha, I love this Daniel Corrigan portrait of P.O.S., the rapper I profiled on the cover of today's City Pages.

As usual, there's more to the story. P.O.S. is previously best known for rapping with Syst in the hip-hop duo Cenospecies. Syst has gone on to release his own acclaimed rap CD, last year's Linear Language, on Poor Bastard Records.

I also skimped on Doomtree's class background, which seems important mainly to other rappers. But it would be simple-minded to call them "a bunch of fucking kids from Hopkins," as P.O.S. says some people do. Sims, for instance, told me his mom moved to the suburbs only after a crackhouse arrived next door to his Minneapolis home. Dessa and Tom Servo met the crew well after high school. And Bobby Gorgeous is from Gainesville, Florida.

(Click for a larger version of this photo, by Daniel Corrigan. By the way, he's wearing an Afro-Punk t-shirt, and here's the film's official site:)

P.O.S., meanwhile, had this to say during our interviews:

"I grew up in North Minneapolis. Halfway through elementary school, my mom met a guy who lived in Minnetonka so we moved to Golden Valley, which is right outside of North Minneapolis. It was a two mile move, but everything was different. Right off the bat, I was like one of maybe four black people in my grade, and the only of those black people who didn't look like the white kids and didn't look like the black kids.

(Read the cover story.)

"Even then I wore high waters and couldn't afford Girbauds. A lot of people assume that because you live in the suburbs, you have money. But we didn't. My mom is married for the first time in her life right now to the best person that she's ever been with and one of the best men that I've ever met, and she's just now getting financially okay. She lives out in Brooklyn Center right now. One of the reasons why we didn't hurry up and get successful is she likes to do what she wants. She's the person who's been telling me since I was a little kid, 'Don't get a real job, because that's not what you want to do.' She's a painter, but she's stuck in this corporate job in order to put a roof over her head."

There's a lot more to say about P.O.S.'s punk bands, which form a surprisingly unique resume in rap music, those punks the Beastie Boys notwithstanding. In the picture above, check out Kai (Marshall Larada) and Stef (P.O.S.) in one of their high-school punk bands. That's P.O.S. with a short mowhawk. He had some interesting things to say about purism in either scene, another subject that didn't make the final cut of the article:

"In punk rock, there's always the punker than you attitude. It never really comes out to being more hip-hop than you in hip hop. But it's still there, and it's still childish, and I pretty much ignore it. I make hip hop, period. If people like it, they like it. If they don't recognize it as hip hop, I don't care."

Speaking of recognition, P.O.S. is not to be confused with the fine local punk band Plate-O-Shrimp, or with Pos from De La Soul--as in "Fuck being hard, Posdnous is complicated."

That's Marshall and P.O.S. posing at the Triple Rock's Dre Day celebration, which Melissa wrote about. By the way, I imagine we'll get a bunch of letters about the following sub-headline of the P.O.S. story: "Has the Time Come for a Black Punk Rocker to Make it in the White World of Indie Hip Hop?"

My fondest hope would be that the many, many people in non-corporate hip hop who don't at all identify themselves as "white" (like, for instance, the ones who created this shit in the first place) will read that line and take it for the tongue-in-cheek overstatement it was meant to be. Come to think of it, here's a snipped P.O.S. quote that might have put the phrase in some kind of context:

"There were, and still are, times where growing up I was the only black person at a punk show, easy. Where now I'm the only black person at a hip hop show. It happens. That's kind of how it is."

(Click for a larger version of the photo, by Daniel Corrigan.)

There's the Doomtree family (minus a couple members): (from leftmost head) Dessa, Marshall Larada (Kai), Lazerbeak, Sims, P.O.S., Tom Servo, Paper Tiger, Bobby Gorgeous, and Cecil Otter. Look for more on these guys individually as they put out their own CDs. Talented group of kids, to say the least. Now where's the web site?

You Have the Last Word

Hey, they cleaned the place up! Doomtree again, photographed by Daniel Corrigan.

To comment on my Doomtree story, you can go to this thread at the D.U. Nation forum, or email me (if you like, I can publish your email here), or write a letter to the editor at City Pages. Since most of the Doomtree folks are waking up right about now, at about 2:00 p.m., I imagine I'll hear from them soon, anyway...

Still waiting at 2:30 p.m.

P.O.S. and Doomtree Perform Twice Next Week

P.O.S. and tattoo artist Billy Baca on the cover of Ipecac Neat.

Doomtree perform Thursday, March 11 at the Cabooze, opening for Rawkus recording artist Thirstin Howl III, along with Rack Lo, Juice, Seel, EPL & Snakebird. 18+. $10. 8:30 pm. 917 Cedar Ave S, Mpls.; 612.338.6425.

They also perform on Sunday, March 14, for a P.O.S. CD-Release Show in the 7th St. Entry, with the Plastic Constellations, EPL & Snakebird, and others. $5. All-ages at 5:00 pm; 21+ at 9:00 pm. 701 1st Ave N, Mpls.; 612.332.1775

Dessa, Sims, P.O.S., of Doomtree, rapping at the Whole Music Club, photographed by Daniel Corrigan.

Foot note: This P.O.S. article marks the second or third time I've turned a "blog" entry (this thing about hip hop and punk rock in Minneapolis) into a print article. Previously, I turned this odd rant about classical music and fascism into this well-circulated tribute to Classical 89.3 FM (now scrubbed clean of errors). Your comments are crucial to helping this process along, and I appreciate all the feedback I've gotten from you reader types lately. Remember, I will print any email you want me to... Well almost any email.

Christ on a popsicle stick...

From this week's City Pages mail bag:

Regarding Rob Nelson's review of Mel Gibson's film...May God have mercy on his soul and if Rob will only ask Him..He will.

Rob is a better man than I am for slogging through this fascist gorefest and coming out the other end with something funny to say. (And Maerz is a better woman for noticing "something strange" about all all the artists on The Passion of the Christ soundtrack. And the Morning News is a better blog for running this "blooper reel"--thanks to TC Babelogue. And the Onion's Jesus is a better savior for demanding creative control over his next picture. And Steve Martin is a better funnyman for taking on the Gibson machine with satire.)

Jesus (you'll pardon the expression), what a week. Yesterday, the religious gangsters in Iraq killed 170 people in cold blood to foment a sectarian war. Last week the president declared that if you love somebody of the same sex, you don't have the same right as anyone else to get married. (Maybe the state should just get out of the marriage business, if marriage is a "sacred" insitution and all, just a thought.)

Could Mel Gibson have picked a worse moment in history to release upon the world this fundamentalist Catholic piece of antisemetic dogma shit?

Leaning into his greatest subject, Hitchens seems dead-on in Vanity Fair:

Stop and ask yourself seriously why the church took nearly two millennia of human time before it would admit the obvious--that people not alive in those days could not be implicated in a first-century execution. Now, how and why could this consession possibly have taken so long, and been made so reluctantly? Quite simply because, if the Jews are not implicated in those events, then why should anyone else be? And if succeeding generations cannot be bound by a quasi-mythical account of a ritual killing, then the entire business collapses. This is why Catholic fundamentalists like Gibson cannot bring themselves to leave the Jews out of it. Small revisions lead to larger ones: there's no such thing as being a little bit heretical.

But as usual, Stuart Klawans in the Nation somehow cuts closest to the heart of the matter:

Good film actors (such as Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ, or for that matter Maia Morgenstern, who plays Mary in The Passion) have a knack for pulling in your attention and then directing it elsewhere, into the cinematic world around them. [James] Caviezel, though, is always an object for the camera to study, never a consciousness that opens up its own viewpoint within the screen... The casting of Caviezel is the telltale problem of The Passion; it betrays Gibson's desire as author, perpetrator, rapt witness and vicarious Christ to see for a Jesus he has himself made blind, to think for a Christ he's made thoughtless.

This Just In...

The secret Bob Dylan show that I didn't know about at First Avenue has been canceled. In related news, the giant present I was going to give you fell out the window of my car on the way here, so sorry...

Eight Days a Week: March 3-March 10

For more details, check out the City Pages A-List, the Twin Cities Alternative Shows List, the D.U. Nation "scene" page, as well as the Krewe de Walleye Calendar, and all the other permanent links under GOING OUT IN MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL over there to the right. These are my sources. I'll add more links to this Thursday.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3

PICK DJ JAZZY JEFF, PICK DJ Jazzy Jeff As I wrote below: The Jimmy Fallon joke from SNL's Weekend Update in early 2002 went: "Will Smith is looking for an apartment to sublet in New York, and is willing to pay $80,000 a month for it. In a related story, DJ Jazzy Jeff wants to know if you're finished with that." But the less famous half of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince released an album that year that reminded me why "Summertime" was his work of genius as much as the rapper's. "Rock Wit U," from The Magnificent (BBE), remains an elusively hypnotic classic of alternative soul. (This is the producer of Who Is Jill Scott?, another good reason he stayed in Philadelphia.) If there's irony in the fact that one of crossover rap's first household names is now considered uncommercial (Columbia wouldn't release his 1999 collaboration with Eminem, a collector's grail today), the joke is at our expense, not his. Escape Ultra Lounge in Minneapolis. 9:00 P.M. 21+ Bachelor Boy Entertainment Presents...  PICK Blood on the Tracks Live Reenactment of the album recording session features the original band lineup with a guest vocalist on Bob Dylan's parts. Also with Paul Metsa, Martin Devaney, Adam Levy. $17.50-$24.50. 7:30 p.m., Wed Mar 3 Pantages Theatre 710 Hennepin Ave, Mpls., 612.339.7007 PICK Note: featuring M. Doughty on guitar! Galactic Freestyle III : The Ruckus 9:00 P.M. 18+ Fine Line Music Cafe $19.00 PICK Richard Buckner, Matty Schindler, Ashtray Hearts, 9P.M. Turf Club $10 PICK Chris Whitley, Teitur $12. 8:00 p.m., Wed Mar 3 400 Bar 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 "The Radio K Party!" with Cloudcult, Cowboy Curtis, and So Fox. Free with Radio K Music Lovers Card All ages, 6:00 PM, $6.00 Drag On, Jin, Gumby 9:00 P.M. 18+ The Quest $28.00

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

Johnny Mathis $49-$63. 7:30 p.m. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, 800.262.7799 Hockey Night, Say Hi To Your Mom $5. 8:00 p.m., 7th St. Entry 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 40 Below Summer, Dog Fashion Disco, Slitheryn All ages. $14/$16. 8:00 p.m., Urban Wildlife Bar 331 2nd Ave N, Mpls., 612.339.4665

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

PICK Roy Haynes Quartet $25. 8:30 p.m. amd 10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sun. Mar 5-7, Artists' Quarter 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359 THROUGH SUNDAY PICK WOMEN ROCK! Friday, March 5 8pm, at the Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av S Mpls with: Leigh Combs, QuetzalCoatlicue, Karen Lyu of Global Jazz, Lisa Kane, Queen Drea of the Edupoetic Collective, Mantra Truck, Eufio. This is Speak Out Sisters! one and only fundraising event to support our fabulous calendar of event celebrating International Women's Day & Women's History Month in March, including: SIX Revolutionary Women's Cabarets! Global Women's Strike on Monday, March 8 at all Mpls YWCA's! P.O.M.P! (People Opposing Male Privilege on March 24 Focus on Femicide: Ending the Exploitation of Women's Minds, Bodies & Spirits on March 27 see www.speakoutsisters.org for complete details or call 612-722-5998, Speak Out Sisters Benefit: Women Rock $10/$15. 8:00 p.m., Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.2674 RED SATYRS, THE PONYS (Chicago, In The Red Rec.), DIRTY TRICKS (ex-members of Born Dead Icons), OFF WITH THEIR HEADS 21+, 9:00 P.M., $6.00 Triple Rock Social Club The Dells With Carl Carlton, Emotion, Bloodstone. $37.50-$42.50. 8:00 p.m., State Theatre 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls., 612.339.7007 Coachwhips, Lipstick Bitches, Faggot, Happy Mothers Day I Can't Read, 9P.M. Big V's $4 N-E-S Out of bounds, Josh Johnz, SecTor 7-G, Most Wanted Crew, Deejay Pseudonym on the wheels 9:00 P.M., 18+ $5.00 Red Sea Clay Riness $10. 7:30 p.m., The Music Loft 920 Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877.866.3936 John Anderson $16/$24. 7:00 p.m., Medina Entertainment Center 500 Hwy 55 (4 miles west of I-494), Medina, 763.478.6661 Leroy Smokes, Hydrophonics, 9 P.M. Uptown Bar  Duvall, Twin Ion, Not Withstanding, 7 P.M. Whole Music Club 18+ $7 Valet, Kid Dakota, Romantica (CD release), 9P.M. Turf Club Salvador (after the Wolves game), 7 P.M. Target Center AA $22+

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

Jason Ringenberg $7/$10. 8:00 p.m., 400 Bar 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903 The Get Up Kids, Recover, Rocky Votolato All ages. $15. 5:00 p.m., Triple Rock Social Club 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 The Soviettes, Japanther, Killer Dreamer $5. All ages at 5:00 p.m., 21+ at 9:00 p.m., 7th St. Entry 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Youngbloodz 8:00 P.M. 16+ $25.00 THE JUNGLE OWATONNA,MN Betsy Pate Benefit Concert Featuring Thee Shams, the Working Stiffs, the Hillbilly Voodoo Dolls. $25. 7:00 p.m., Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 [A.K.A. Benefit for Dakota Communities Inc.] Ginger Jake (EP release), Black Flood Diesel, Skywind, B!, The Fighting Tongs, 430P.M. The Quest AA $8 Johnny Holm $10. Major's Sports Cafe 1690 Woodlane Dr, Woodbury, 651.739.8770 Kenni Holmen, Mark Mueller, Scott 'Scooter' Nelson $10. 9:00 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612.332.1010 Nachito Herrera and Puro Cubano $12/$15. 7:30 p.m., Wayzata High School 4995 Peony Ln N, Plymouth, 763.745.6600 Roy Haynes Quartet $25. 8:30 p.m. amd 10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sun. Mar 5-7 Artists' Quarter 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359 LUKES ANGELS, ANNIE QUICK, 21+, 10:00 P.M., $6.00 Triple Rock Social Club

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

PICK Don Caballero, Self Evident, the Idiot $8. 10:00 p.m., Triple Rock Social Club 629 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.333.7399 PICK Holmes Brothers 7:30 p.m., Sun Mar 7, Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave S, Mpls., 612.338.2674 American Music Club $19. 8:00 p.m., Sun Mar 7 Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.338.8100 Breakdancing 101 w/ Jamie Kennedy, Daylight and B Girl Seoul, and more, 8:00 P.M. All Ages $5.00 Intermedia Arts Kredintials 8:00 P.M. 21+ 5 Corners $3.00 Amy Angeline $8/$10. 6:30 p.m., Sun Mar 7 Bryant-Lake Bowl 810 W Lake St, Mpls., 612.825.8949 Monica Patton, C.E. Smith: Black Broadway $25-$35. 7:30 p.m., Sun Mar 7 Fitzgerald Theater 10 E Exchange St, St. Paul, 651.290.1221 Edwin McCain With Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise. $12/$15. 8:00 p.m., First Avenue 701 1st Ave N, Mpls., 612.332.1775 Signal & Report, Invisible Pedestrian, Autumn, 8P.M. 7th St Entry $5 Roy Haynes Quartet $25. 8:30 p.m. amd 10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sun. Mar 5-7 Artists' Quarter 7th Pl and St Peter (Hamm Bldg), St. Paul, 651.292.1359

MONDAY, MARCH 8

PICK The Walkmen in-store at Let It Be Records, 5:00 PM. This will be the only chance for those under 21 to see them live! Let It Be Records, 1001 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, (612)-339-7439 PICK The Walkmen, French Kicks $10/$12. 8:00 p.m., Mon Mar 8, 400 Bar 400 Cedar Ave S (at Riverside Ave), Mpls., 612.332.2903

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

PICK Charlie Parr CD release, Kitty Cat Klub PICK Rob Skoro at the Speakeasy, with cool DJs Mellow Gold with Mandy Cox. From Mandy's email: "The fun starts around 9:30 so get to the Spekeasy early for cheap Booze and old fashioned rabble rousing!! 9:30-11:00: Mellow Gold with DJ Me (Mandy) playing the mopy rock and love ballads loved by all! 11:00-Whenever: ROB SKORO playing all the hits! (we love this guy). The Speakeasy Bar is located around the corner from the 3 Muses Restauraunt (in the parking lot) @ 2817 Lyndale Ave S." FREE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

PICK Broken Social Scene with Special Guests, The Stills
U.S.$15.00 400 Bar PICK THE Fuck Clear Channel TOUR Featuring SAGE FRANCIS & JOE BEATS (Non-Prophets) with GRAND BUFFET, MAC LETHAL, and THE GIMME FUND, 5:00 P.M., All Ages, First Avenue, $10.00 Bob Dylan, 7P.M. Roy Wilkins Arena AA $45 CHROMATICS (GSL REC.) CLIPD BEAKS 21+, 9:00 P.M., TBA. Triple Rock Social Club

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 3, 2004 2:44 PM

Afro-Punk

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Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 3, 2004 2:23 PM

Live From the Transit Strike

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The only blog I know of about the looming Minneapolis/St. Paul bus strike is currently authored by my friend Cecile Cloutier, who writes today (at Strike!):

You know the human desire for finality is pretty damn strong when even your worried husband is making references to, well, getting out of the lavatory so someone else can go, y'know? Typical conversation since December 28, 2003 (the first time ATU voted down the contract):

"Are you striking?"

"Don't know."

"If you are, when?"

"Don't know."

"How long? Do you know?"

"Nope."

MacTavish: There are two Americas, and one takes the bus

Recent dispatch from James Bryant MacTavish (a contributor to The Student Voice):

The Wisconsin primary has boosted the presidential candidacy of John Edwards, the North Carolina senator whose stump speech talks about divisions in our country resulting in "two Americas." I am skeptical of the depth and commitment of the messenger and suspect his rhetoric will be dropped in a cynical attempt to rush to the mythical, airless void of the "political center" should he manage a miracle to become the Democrat�s nominee. Nevertheless I am sympathetic to the idea of two Americas as I experienced them last week on a trip to Chicago.

There is no better tonic to cure the fear and paranoia of our conceal carry, total surveillance, hyperventilating media, culture wars society, than a trip to the city via Greyhound. This is the world affluent America scrupulously avoids by maintaining an insularity permitting many of us to cluster with people like ourselves, ignore serious problems, and wallow in the comfortable rationalization of stereotypes. If the fear mongering of television news is your guide the city is home to all sorts of iniquity, generally perpetrated by people whose color, language, and "degenerate" culture do not match ours. Venturing into the city is asking to get robbed, raped, or roughed up. However, there is life beyond the tinted windows and gated communities whose reality is far more complex than the black and white depictions on television news and police drama.

The first thing one notices when one leaves the driving to Greyhound is there are indeed two Americas and one of the sharpest divisions is along the color line. Whether departing from Minneapolis or Chicago, the vast majority of passengers are African-American followed by Asians and Hispanics. As we divide our living areas, we also divide our transportation. Divisions give stereotypes space to breath. For example, on the return trip to Minneapolis I talked to two African-American men. One was the owner of an electronics distributorship whose plan to retire at age 35 was deferred by four years, as he had to save extra money to take care of his ailing mother. The other man was a radiologist from Louisville visiting a sick cousin in Minneapolis, who dreamed of traveling to China in the next two years. Both were family men, the first with a daughter and the second with a son and a daughter. Neither remotely resembled the media image of the urban dwelling African-American man who has abandoned his large brood of children for crime and drugs. The lives of the men I met are usually not depicted in media interested in sensational news and vapid entertainment. I have had the pleasure to know many different people and visit many different places so I do not harbor those stereotypes, but I see them in operation all around us. I am amazed how a little simple interaction can blow these pernicious fallacies to smithereens.

I also encountered disturbing examples of two Americas. At the Greyhound terminal there was the paranoid schizophrenic behind me in the cafeteria line who mumbled about "the bastards" putting something in the coffee I was purchasing. There was the legless veteran with proffered styrofoam cups, the Eastern European mother and daughter huddled in the cold seeking help, the man in the bus terminal who was only able to afford a ticket to Champagne because I gave him $10. It is easy to ignore suffering when it is kept away, but up close the needs of the mentally ill and poor are difficult to ignore. However, it is still possible. I saw scores of men selling Streetwise, a publication created to provide the homeless some assistance, as most passersby paid no attention. Which goes to show a blind eye can be turned even when the two Americas are staring a person in the face, but it isn�t easy and it should not be.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at March 2, 2004 3:58 PM

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