Soul Asylum @ "Kruger Aid" - 6/9/07 - Waseca, MN

A few pictures from Soul Asylum's surprise appearance at the Kruger Aid benefit last Saturday in Waseca. Since Pirner was booked for an appearance later in the evening in Minneapolis (about 90m away) with his "Band of Volunteers," Soul Asylum was relegated to "Special Guests" status for all of the Waseca benefit advertising. They also went on fairly early (4:15) so Pirner could get to the Cabooze for his advertised 9pm set. The "secret" became fairly common knowledge the week before the gig; those of us heading south out of the Twin Cities adjusted our travel plans accordingly.

SA played about an hour in Waseca and rocked the asses off of the modest afternoon crowd sweltering in the rodeo pit. Like Golden Smog later in the evening, they were in top fighting trim -- they sounded great and were clearly enjoying the hell out of playing in this fairly strange situation. The recent touring line-up with Michael Bland and George McKelvey was used, with Chief Utility Player Jim Boquist popping up at the end as well. Pirner's little boy bopped on and off the stage throughout the set, planting himself next to his dad like it was no big thing. Watching Dave and his undeniably cute kid rocking out on stage, i couldn't help but think of how far Soul Asylum/Loud Fast Rules have come from the days of being superloud, semi-bratty punks playing the 7th St. Entry 25 years ago...


Setlist (courtesy of CZ)

Somebody To Shove
All Is Well
Misery
Lately
Black Gold
Without A Trace
Cartoon
Runaway Train
Bus Named Desire
Just Like Anyone
Stand Up And Be Strong (w/ Jim Boquist and one of the roadies on guitars; Dave's kid did some vocals)

Review: Golden Smog & Jayhawks - Rock For Democracy - 7/18/04 - First Ave. - Mpls, MN

THE JAYHAWKS
(Louris - Perlman - O'Reagan - Grotberg)
Rock For Democracy
First AVe. - Mpls - 7/18/04

1. One Man's Problem (w/ Jim Boquist = ac gtr/bg vox)
2. Pray For Me (w/Jim Boquist = ac gtr/bg vox) For some strange reason i don't feel like doing any “research” right now, but I think the last time they played this, Bill Clinton was in his first term.
3. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Hollies cover; Tim = lead vox; w/ Jim Boquist = ac gtr/bg vox) One of many songs last night that were perfectly in sync with the vibe of the event. Beautifully sung by Tim, just breathtaking. Man, what an underrated singer. Hell, what a singer, period!
4. Tailspin (w/ David Poe = elec gtr/bg vox) Dedicated by Gary to "GW." Biting political commentary? Wishful thinking? One of the best damn pop songs in recent memory? Answer: D) all of the above.



GOLDEN SMOG
(Louris - Johnson - Murphy - Perlman - Peter Anderson)
Rock For Democracy
First Ave. - Mpls - 7/18/04

1. Starman (Bowie cover; Gary = lead vox, Jim Boquist = bg vox) Live debut - yet another excellent choice from the cool cover stockpile. Pssst: the boys recorded a killer version of this song this summer - don't tell anybody.
2. That's When I Reach For My Revolver (Mission of Burma cover; Dan = lead vox, Ed Ackerson = elec gtr, bg vox = all) Another debut. Dan dedicated this to MN guv "Tiny Tim Palewnty" in the wake of a lot of recent hoo-haw in these parts concerning gun control legislation.
3. Powderfinger (Neil cover; KJJ = lead vox, David Poe = gtr/ bg vox, Dave Pirner = bg vox). Smokin'. Don't think they've pulled this one out since the '96 glory days.
4. Do Anything You Wanna Do (Eddie and the Hot Rods cover; Dan = lead vox) Another '96 blast from the past. An early punk anthem (1976) that fit in well with the spirit of the event.
5. The Dream is Never Over [tentative title] (brand spankin' new; Gary & Dan = lead vox, Blake Hurlbert = percussion). Very catchy little bugger, also recently hammered out in the studio. A new Smog song is obviously welcome news, especially if there's more where this came from. Should be in a car commercial or something.
6. 18 (Alice Cooper cover; Dave Pirner = lead vox; Ed Ackerson = elec gtr; Jim Boquist = elec gtr) Took a while to get this "train wreck" going - two false starts. Very Smog-ish moment indeed. This and the next song definitely evoked the drunken, murky joy of the earliest GS live shows back in the '80s at places like the Cabooze, Uptown Bar, 400 Bar (original version) etc.
7. Shooting Star (Bad Co. cover; Dave Pirner = lead vox) The set ended like it started - with a "star" song. Pirner at his finest. Think i actually saw a few lighters up in the air.

Bunch of other guys played, too.