Now, here's another death that hits me where I live- Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü died at the all-too-young age of 56. Besides being a monster drummer, Hart was a writer of poignant lyrics, bringing heart as well as melody to the hardcore punk movement. I first heard Hüsker Dü on a local college station while I was a high-schooler and immediately became enamored of the Twin Cities music scene of the early 80s.
Hüsker Dü never received much commercial airplay, but the band was influential- according to one anecdote, the Pixies found bassist Kim Deal by putting out a classified ad: "Bassist wanted for rock band. Influences: Husker Du and Peter Paul & Mary." Hüsker Dü's fingerprints can be foud all over the grunge music scene and subsequent 'alternative' music.
In honor of Mr Hart's passing, I have been binge-listening to the band's magnum opus, the double album Zen Arcade. The album is a sprawling concept album, a hardcore punk rock opera about a young man's alienation. One particular standout track is Grant Hart's Turn on the News, which, sadly, is even more topical now than when it was written:
With its mentions of shootings, airline disasters, and refugee crises, the song couldn't be more relevant. It's a tribute to Grant Hart's perspicacity and devotion to humanity. It's tragic to lose Mr Hart so young, especially at a time when he is needed more than ever.
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Blogwhoring? Sure, but you might enjoy these
http://www.blckdgrd.com/2017/09/rest-in-peace-grant-hart.html
Back in the middle 90s, the music scene was awesome and I had become enamored with some of the neo-punk bands, particluarly Rancid. Our company hired a hardcore punker as ops mgr, and he used to mock and insult me because Rancid isn't REAL punk, not like Husker Du.
And I thought 'how sad'. If you like punk and you can't enjoy a supremely accomplished - perhaps even brilliant - band like Rancid because of social signalling and category labels, you're probably missing out on about 90% of the world...
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