September 11, 2026

Bands

Bands

Arctic Monkeys show in 2007. Photo by Steve

Flashback: Arctic Monkeys at First Ave, Minneapolis (05/07/2007)

vusleeper February 12, 2014

First Avenue turned into a venerable hotbox last evening, with the Arctic Monkeys playing their first ever Minneapolis show at the sold out and muggy club.(But that didn’t stop Elvis Costello from getting in-he was perched on the dj deck for the entire set, applauding and enjoying the show-he’s playing the Myth tonight.) And what a show it was. I have to admit, I was quite knackered from a long solo drive from Milwaukee that afternoon, and didn’t have a lot of energy going into the show, but that all changed as soon as the four lads from Sheffield took the stage. From that point on, First Ave was a powder keg of energy and high voltage rock n’ roll.

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Japanesey: Peelander-Z, Shonen Knife, and the Clover

vusleeper February 8, 2014

Peelander-Z just announced their full nationwide tour for Metalander-Z. We previously saw them tour last year, and I noted that they didn't play that many songs from the album. I guess that was just the preview, I'm going to expect to hear more Metalander-Z on this upcoming show, because I have to tell you: their new album is good (if you like hair metal)! I love Shonen Knife. The Osaka band announced their new album Overdrive to come out April 16th, 2014, via Good Charamel Records (for North America). The American market will get a yellow cover version, while the UK and Japan will get Green and Blue covers, respectively. The new album is said to be influenced by 70s rock.
If you have nothing going on tonight (February 8th), head over to the Cake Shop in New York at midnight to catch The Clover, an all-girl band that exclusively just cover The Beatles' music. The Japanese band recently just played Freddy's Bar in NY as part of the Beatles celebration.

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Stephen Malkmus at Electric Fetus, Minneapolis (06/12/2005)

Flashback: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks

vusleeper January 29, 2014

One of my very first real concerts I went to was Pavement at the Cadillac Club in Fresno, California, on 09/16/1994. I sure wish I had the ticket stub or flyer, but I distinctively remember this show because Pavement's drummer Bob Nastanovich stood outside the venue, shaking our hands as we stepped into the tiny club. Obviously, I don't remember any songs they played since it was 20 years ago (although I'm pretty sure they played "Cut Your Hair", since the band was riding high on this hit around this time), but according to bootleggers online, they noted that this show featured an improved version of Silver Jews' "Federal Dust".

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Johnny Marr & the Healers at First Avenue, Minneapolis (05/07/2003)

Johnny Marr & the Healers at First Ave, Minneapolis (05/07/2003)

vusleeper January 23, 2014

The poster and ticket stub tells me that the show was booked by the Developing Arts & Music Foundation and listed as a 21+ show. I do have poor memory of the event, I remember that I touched Johnny Marr's arms and guitar (so I was front, as usual).

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