Hüsker Dü. The Replacements. Two seminal names in Minnesota rock, two bands that exploded out of the Twin Cities alternative scene in the ‘80s and changed the course of popular music. There, the similarities end. Or do they? I invited Replacements superfan Martin Devaney, a local singer-songwriter, to sit down with Hüsker Dü superfan Brian…

Two of the most influential rock bands in Minnesota history just happened to hit the scene at the same time. Hüsker Dü exploded out of the Macalester College campus, while the Replacements crawled up from South Minneapolis. Formed in 1979, both groups became legends with international cult followings. Lots of people were fans of both,…

Outside my window, it’s -8 °F with colder air to come. Outside the usual, shutdown-related staff shortages have forced LaGuardia Airport to stop receiving flights. Outside the U.S., many countries are doing just fine, but then we see hunger strikes bombs corruption xenophobia. Pardon me for getting all “current events” on the Local Current Blog, but this winter…let’s…

Whether or not you’re an avid football fan, it’s likely that you still watch the Super Bowl for the ads — and advertisers know it. Aside from the halftime performance by Maroon 5, music stars will feature in a few of those outrageous commercials. Among them: Bob Dylan, Chance the Rapper, and the Backstreet Boys.…

This Saturday, Jan. 26, four Duluth acts are helping north country musician Jamie Ness cover the cost of medical and dental bills after a workplace accident. The “Medical/Dental Relief Party” at the Rex Bar in Duluth’s Fitger’s Hotel will include music from Low, Jerree Small, Ingeborg Von Agassiz, and Kyle Ollah, as well as live…

“To be honest with you, it always feels like dumb luck. I don’t know why people respond to it. I’ve seen strangers passionately embrace each other and lift my 6’5” body off of the ground just because I presented myself to them as confidently uncool. What the f***?” So says Jo Kellen about figuring out…

Over the course of his career, Prince worked with many talented musicians, but one of the closest relationships he had with any of his musicians was with Sheila E. An iconic drummer, singer songwriter and performer Sheila E., short for Escovedo, has had an incredible career with Prince and on her own. Born and raised…

On Feb. 9, a slew of pivotal Twin Cities acts including the Suicide Commandos, the Hypstrz, Flamingo, Yipes!, and Curtiss A and Jerks of Fate, will congregate at the Parkway Theater to play a collective reunion concert in conjunction with the March 31 release of a new documentary about the long-shuttered but never-forgotten Jay’s Longhorn Bar.…

For the second night in a row, a crowd streamed through First Avenue’s doors for a sold-out celebration of The Current’s 14th birthday. Four local acts helped The Current usher in its second teenage year on Saturday night: Cloud Cult, J.S. Ondara, Annie Mack, and Porcupine. While the temperature outside hovered in the single digits,…

The Current enters adolescence this year, and part one of the celebration kicked off Friday night with a sold-out First Avenue show. “I got really strong when I was 14 carrying those heavy books,” quipped Kerry Alexander of Bad Bad Hats in a sweet deadpan, “and emotionally strong for other reasons.” The first night of The…