L to R: Steve Brantseg, John Haga, Robert Wilkinson, Curtiss A and Bill Grenke performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.Steven Cohen for MPR
Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three
Backgroove Records
Music fans gathered in Hopkins, a western suburb of Minneapolis, on Saturday to celebrate the vinyl re-issue of the 1979 compilation album Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three.
Saturday’s show was all about the Midwest as classic bands who pioneered and propelled the region’s punk sounds reunited onstage at the Hopkins Center for the Arts for a gala concert. Jon Clifford of Minneapolis’ Hi-Fi Hair and Records was the emcee of the event, which featured performances by the Hypstrz, Fingerprints, Yipes!, Curtiss A, and the Suicide Commandos.
Originally released by Minneapolis label Twin/Tone, the 2023 reissue was remastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with vinyl mastering by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl in Memphis, Tennessee, and released on the Backgroove Records label, which was founded by Rob Sheeley and Ric Menck of Mill City Sound, a record store in Hopkins. The label’s offices are now based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
See photos from the event below.
The Hypstrz
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The Hypstrz performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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The Hypstrz — L to R, Ernest Batson, Bill Batson, John Haga and Randy Wiess — performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Bill Batson of the Hypstrz performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
Fingerprints
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Fans dance while Fingerprints perform at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Fingerprints performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Robb Henry of Fingerprints performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
Evening atmosphere
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Gregg Inhofer speaks with Twin Town Guitars luthier Kurt Nelson between songs at the "Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Jon Clifford emceeing “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Peter Jesperson (left) and Jennifer Menard Jesperson attend “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
Yipes!
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Yipes! bask in applause at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Milwaukee band Yipes! performing at “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Yipes! performing at “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
Curtiss A
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Curtiss A performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Curtiss A and his band performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Curtiss A (at left) and bandmates (L to R) Steve Brantseg, Terry Isachsen, John Haga and Bill Grenke performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
The Suicide Commandos
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Fans applaud The Suicide Commandos at “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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The Suicide Commandos — Steve Almaas, Dave Ahl and Chris Osgood — performing at “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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The Suicide Commandos performing at “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
Encore
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Curtiss A (in sunglasses) performs with The Suicide Commandos during the encore of the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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Curtiss A (center, in sunglasses) performs with The Suicide Commandos during the encore of the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Steven Cohen for MPR
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The Suicide Commandos' Steve Almaas and Dave Ahl with Hugo Klaers performing at the “Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three” vinyl re-release show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
