“>Amsterdam Acoustics – Alan Sparhawk (LOW) : Amazing Grace from macoustics”>AMSTERDAMACOUSTICS on Vimeo.

Happy 4 July.

photo via-Sixxjy

Liver check, 1-2-3, check, check.

Thank you Duluth. You continue to amaze me with your support of this crazy festival. I mean seriously, how many towns throw an event like this and receive such amazing support night after night, venue after venue. This is a special place we live in.

I would like to especially thank the organizers that slog away at making it happen, the volunteers that make it work, the bands that make it all possible and finally the fans, without who it wouldn’t happen. The biggest thank you should go out to the venues that let us take over and the under-appreciated janitors that have to sweep and swab up after you slobs.

So here’s till next year. Thank you Homegrown.

-Scott

Photo via-WMS UpNorthMN

Happy Homegrown everyone! Just a quick note to let you know I will be playing the radio documentary Tour De Scene that was produced by The Current. It is a one hour show about Duluth and our wonderful music community. So tune into KUMD at 5pm if you haven’t heard it already.

Is this?

This is the first in a series of posts about things I like. I’m hoping it will spur others to write about things they like. So let’s get started.

1. My bad ass cruiser bike.

I inherited the frame of this Country Roads cruiser bike from an old tenant. It was missing the wheels but was otherwise in most excellent shape. So I took my newfound friend to Bryn the bike wizard and he decked it out with some new wheels, pedals and a tuneup. It was a great bike to ride but the gearing was not so Duluth friendly so I mainly pulled it out for special occasions like the Cruiser Bike Poker Rides we had way back in 2004. Some of you may remember the beating my knee took after a fall I took racing Dusty Olson up a Lakewalk hill.

After that accident my bike spent a couple years in the garage, sadly neglected. So this glorious spring I thought maybe I should get that bad boy out and about. I took it to Ski Hut and inquired about changing the front sprocket to something a bit more geared to our terrain and they delivered in a most awesome way. I am now able to tool up the hills in a seated position for the most part and we have become best friends again.

After a few rides I realized the only thing keeping this from being the sweetest bike in town was a basket. Hello Google! After some searching I found just the perfect thing. The Wald 157.

The Giant Delivery basket is one of the most enduring and iconic products in our catalog. Popular among messengers and paperboys (feel free to ask your father or grandfather about this noble profession), this basket is designed to carry large loads thanks to its stout legs, cargo bands, and heavy duty handlebar clamps. Three holes are provided at the bottom of the legs and spaced at 13.25, 14.25, and 15.25 inches (measured center-to-center of bracket pin to axle mount) to provide multiple mounting options.

No more sweaty backs from my overstuffed backpack, this baby will hold a couple bags of groceries and a 12 pack if you ask it to. Care must be taken with a full load as the steering gets a bit wonky but it is doable. Mainly I am picturing my basket loaded down with some beach towels, a growler, a frisbee and some extra layers for those cool Park Point nights. Man, I love this basket.

So there ya have it, stuff I like, a cruiser bike and a vintage wire basket. Watch out Duluth!

The cream is here, the cream is here! At the Coop next to the whipping creams. Man it would go good with a big bowl of Google Fiber.

Defaced poster at Chester Creek Café.

Howdy. I have a couple of items for sale on Craigslist that someone out there in PDD land may be interested in.

#1-Two Technics SL-1200MK2 turntables with cases. These are the original Random Radio turntables and they are still in excellent condition.

Technics SL-1200

Craigslist Link.

#2-Anvil Briefcase. This is the briefcase I used when organizing Homegrown, Geek Prom and whatever other silliness I could come up with. Now it just sits in the basement begging to be used.

You can run this thing over with a truck and it will still function. Just ask Eric Swanson.

Anvil Briefcase.

Craigslist Link.

Has anybody done the math on what Superior and Duluth bars are geographically closest to each other? I’m thinking Schultz’s and Quinlans. Am I right?

Stand strong Conan.

Spring-55 degrees
Summer-77 degrees
Fall-68 degrees
Winter-18 degrees

If anyone has fun memories of going to a Suburbs show especially in Duluth please post them in the comments. I want to read them on my radio show today between sets of awesome Suburbs music.

R.I.P. Bruce Allen.

Ccc

Have you been to the Zinema yet? I went to see The Big Lebowski last Friday and Moon earlier this week. If you have not been, what are you waiting for? This theatre is a jewel! I have been bitching for years about the lack of good movies in Duluth and now the drought is over.

Nick and I have made a commitment to support the Zinema 2 as much as humanly possible. Hell, I don’t have to sneak my beer in anymore, they sell it at the concession stand! Good beer on tap and for those on a budget get a bucket of Premiums for 10 bucks. When you are done with those 6 beers you can pee in the bucket! No more pesky bathroom breaks! More exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously the Zinema 2 is the best thing to happen to Duluth in a long time and I hope it is supported. Quit yer bitching and go see a movie!

I am completely obsessed with the Botfly.

(more…)

What won’t you buy used? I have a thing against used sheets, something weird about that. Also underwear (of course) and toilet brushes. How about you?

This poor bird died on impact but it sure left a nice piece of art on the Saint Mary’s skywalk.

Duluth’s Trampled By Turtles are playing an unannounced show at the Looch tonight. Mmmm patchouli and bluegrass.