The Suburbs Are Taking Over First Avenue 5/18

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Hometown heroes- The Suburbs- will be taking over the First Avenue Mainroom on Friday, May 18th. Often described as a Midwest Roxy Music, but with more humor and rock scruff, The ‘Burbs have been making their unique punk-pop-art-dance records and performing off and on ever since the ‘Mpls Sound’ heyday. Founded in 1977, The Suburbs are recognized worldwide as among the original heroes of the “Minneapolis Sound”; a historic music era that saw the emergence of other bands like The Suicide Commandos, Prince, The Replacements and Hüsker Dü.

Led now by original keyboardist and singer Chan Poling, original drummer Hugo Klaers, and longtime saxophonists Max Ray (also of The Wallets), they are augmented by a supergroup of newcomers: Stevie Brantseg and Jeremy Ylvisaker on guitars, Steve Price on bass, Janey Winterbauer on backup vocals, Rochelle Becker on Bari Sax and Stephen Kung on horns and keys.

With dance-club hits like “Waiting” and ”Music for Boys” and radio hits like ”Life Is Like”, “Rattle My Bones”, and the recent Marriage Equality Anthem, “Love Is The Law”, The Suburbs could be forgiven for resting on their laurels. But the music and accolades keep on coming. Their last single “Turn The Radio On” was voted “Song Of The Year” by a poll of local music critics in the Mpls Star Tribune in 2013, and their latest album Hey Muse! is already gathering what can only be described as a worthy buzz.

The Suburbs continue to entertain at the highest level and remain one of the most creative and vital bands out there today, honoring their past and blazing into the future. As The New Yorker magazine said about their latest, “the ensemble maintains its quirky spunk and funky pop energy”, and we are proud that the music critic Chris Remenschneider tweeted after their last First Avenue show: “I didn’t get to see The Suburbs back in the day, but I see a lot of bands today & would rate em very high among em.”

Opening for the legendary group will be a personal favorite of mine- Porcupine. Rock trio Porcupine organically forges its singular brand of Rock’n’Roll reminiscent of the late-90s alternative without compromise. Un-yielded by what’s trendy, Casey Virock (guitars/vocals) with Greg Norton (bass) and Ian Prince (drums) derive some of their inspiration from 70’s classic rock and 60’s British psychedelica, resulting in a Swervedriver meets Queens of The Stone Age type sound.

Female-fronted, five-piece, rock ‘n’ roll troublemakers from Minneapolis- Kiss The Tiger- will be kicking off the night.

Tickets are still available HERE.

 

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