The April passing of favorite son Prince turned media attention back onto Minneapolis’ musicians of the late ’70s and early ’80s. One Magnet Magazine piece gathered tales from close to 40 witnesses to the scene that spawned two other Minneapolis legends: Hüsker Dü and the Replacements.
Both bands’ earliest gigs — from 1979 to 1981 — focused on the scene’s hottest clubs (The Longhorn and the 7th St. Entry, a small room that was part of the bigger First Avenue). The Hüskers and the ‘Mats circled each other, often playing the same venue within days of each other, but apparently didn’t share a gig until both bands opened for the Neglectors at the 7th Ave. Entry on Sept. 5, 1981. (Down the line, Hüsker Dü and the Replacements would make their New York debuts at Great Gildersleeves on April 17, 1983, supported by a New York band called Young and the Useless that coincidentally included future Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz.)
Hüsker Dü and the Replacements: Two monster bands starting their careers on tight parallel paths at the same Minneapolis clubs. But what other bands traveled with them at the very beginning of their ride? Here are five bands you should know about: Continue reading “Like the Replacements and Hüsker Dü? 5 bands you should know about”