■The Suburbs The Suburbs are a prominent alternative punk rock, funk, and new wave band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1977. Known as a cornerstone of the Twin Cities music scene, the group gained fame for hits like “Love Is the Law” and major albums on the Twin/Tone and A&M label
It was another outdoor show and once again it was hot. As the crowd filtered into Commons Park in Excelsior a couple of gentlemen were complaining how much of a pain in the neck it was to find parking in the tiny lake community. Like Stillwater, Excelsior is a destination place. Whereas Stillwater has a historic downtown along the St. Croix River, Excelsior is a tiny town tucked in by MN State Highway 7 to the south and Lake Minnetonka to the North. The park juts into the lake and it’s a beautiful place to hang out, have a picnic, toss a frisbee or even better, catch a vintage Twin Cities band playing on its shores.
It seems crazy that the Suburbs are one year shy of being forty as a band. A few founding members have passed away, Bruce Allen and Blaine “Beej” Chaney on guitars. One had to hang it up due to arthritis, Michael Halliday on bass. Along with Hugo Klaers on drums, Chan Poling on keys and lead vocals took the stage on a warm, humid night. Both original members were wearing colorful suits. Klaers would immediately take off his coat, but Poling would keep his on with a loosened tie.
Although Klaers and Poling are now getting up in years, they kicked off the evening strong with all the hits like “Life is Like” “Music for Boys” and “When We Were Young.” Poling’s smokey voice seemed a little froggy in the beginning, but the band killed it from the start with the horn section tight and the rhythm section in the pocket. (I’ve heard these terms used by music critics.)
The Suburbs started out as a classic five-member band, but since 2014 they have expanded their ranks to nine. So joining Klaers and Poling on stage were:
Max Ray: Saxophone
Steve Brantseg: Guitar
Jeremy Ylvisaker: Guitar
Steve Price: Bass
Janey Winterbauer: Backing vocals
Rochelle Becker: Baritone saxophone
Stephen Kung: Horns, keyboards
“We’ve been waiting a whole year to get back here,” said Poling after they just played “Waiting.” (The band appeared at the same outdoor venue last year.) “Better than a smoky club,” he joked. “1984! That’s all we did – smoke.”
Then it was “Hey Muse!” from the same-named album released in 2017. Then Poling asked if there were any billionaires in the crowd, which may have been a joke, but not a stretch considering the real estate that rings the bays of Lake Minnetonka. He then asked any billionaires to raise their hands, and a few who were definitely not did which led to the new “Dear Billionaire.”
Between songs some of the more inebriated fans kept shouting out requests. One song kept popping up.
“If we don’t play ‘Cows’” said Poling, “I’ll go home.”
But first it was the love song “Girlfriend” which had Ray and Becker setting down their saxophones to slow dance. Then Klaers came out from behind his drum kit to sing “Baby Heartbeat” followed by The Clash’s “Should I stay or Should I Go.” And before Poling left for home, the band finished their great set with “Cows.”
■ The Suburbs
