Music
Jeb Loy Nichols – “Say Goodbye to Christopher”
When it was that Wyoming-born and Wales-based musician Jeb Loy Nichols was in Duluth, and why he’s never coming back, are anyone’s guesses, but it’s apparently related to someone named Christopher. (more…)
The Return of Kiss
Thirty-nine years ago — Oct. 6, 1979 — Kiss played its third concert in Duluth, having previously appeared in 1974 and ’77. The band continued to “return” into the 1980s and ’90s, most recently performing in Duluth in 2016, when Paul Stanley tweeted that a certain Duluthian is “such a clearly miserable asshole.”
Those who attended the show in ’70 recall Judas Priest did not show up. John Cougar filled in and was purported booed.
The Fractals – “Gear Grinder”
This video is a couple years old, but somehow missed the PDD radar when it was released in 2016. The Fractals play Beaner’s Central tonight at 7 p.m.
Low – “Poor Sucker”
The new Low video is directed by Karlos Rene Ayala. The Duluth band is touring Europe in October in support of its new album Double Negative.
Jay Leonhart – “The Couple from Duluth”
As near as can be determined through web searches, “The Couple from Duluth” was composed by acclaimed bassist Jay Leonhart and was originally released on his 1984 album with Joe Beck titled There’s Gonna Be Trouble. The version above is a live recording from Leonhart’s 2015 album The Bass Lesson. (more…)
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “William A. Irvin”
Hot new hit 41-second single by Ingeborg Von Agassiz.
Complete lyrics:
The William A. Irvin ship has been removed to fix the slip.
Meat Puppets – “Lake of Fire”
The punk rock band Meat Puppets released “Lake of Fire” on the 1984 album Meat Puppets II. It also appears as a hidden track on the 1994 album Too High to Die.
The Duluth reference goes a little something like this:
I knew a lady who came from Duluth
She got bit by a dog with a rabid tooth (more…)
Video Archive: The Dames on KBJR-TV
Twenty years ago today — Sept. 24, 1998 — Duluth band the Dames was featured in a segment on KBJR-TV News. The band performed at the Shrine Auditorium the next day with two other local bands, Crazy Betty and Groundskeeper Willie.
Ingeborg von Agassiz – “Rebel Robin” featuring Betty Boop
New video by Duluth artist Ingeborg von Agassiz for a song from her debut album O Giver of Dreams.
Video Archive: The Tisdales – “Find it in Me”
Uploaded to YouTube 10 years ago today — Sept. 18, 2008 — is this track from Duluth band the Tisdales. The song “Find it in Me” appears on the group’s 2008 album “Bakers Dozen.”
Swimming with Nancy – “Fourth Street”
This Duluth song doesn’t actually have the word “Duluth” in its lyrics, but is loaded with Duluth references. It’s from the self-titled 2005 album by Duluth band Swimming with Nancy.
Low – “Rome (Always in the Dark)”
Low‘s new album Double Negative is out today on Sub Pop Records. The new music video, “Rome” is directed by Aaron Anderson and Eric Timothy Carlson.
Alex Frecon – “I’m From Minnesota (The Minnesota Anthem)”
This new video from Minneapolis hip-hop artist Alex Frecon features a few scenes shot in Duluth.
The 4ontheFloor – “Radio Edit [Explicit]”
Minneapolis band the 4ontheFloor, featuring occasional Duluthian Gabriel Douglas, has a new music video out, a new album on the way and a Kickstarter campaign nearly wrapped up. (more…)
Alice Cooper – “Remarkably Insincere”
Alice Cooper drops a reference to Duluth on this song from his 1982 album Zipper Catches Skin. (more…)
Abort Scene – “Born Pinned to the Duluth Wheel”
Perhaps the least-known Duluth song is by the Champaign, Ill.-based band Abort Scene. “Born Pinned to the Duluth Wheel” was released on the album Seeds of the Real Alternative (Waterloo Records, June 3, 2008). The track also appeared on the band’s 2013 compilation Rational Hardcore. (more…)
Duluth’s Madam Butterfly
Rena Vivian Smith as Madam Butterfly, Cosmopolitan Magazine, February 1907
The latest “Forgotten Duluthian” posting by David Ouse at the Duluth Public Library’s Vintage Duluth blog is about Duluth’s Madame Butterfly, Rena Vivian Smith.
Bob Dylan – “Something There is About You”
Consider this the third post in the “Ruth Trilogy.”
Part One: Shuggy Ray Smith – “Ruth from Duluth”
Part Two: Ruth Hart: “Baby Ruth from Duluth” (more…)
Mary Scott Bywater – “America’ll Win the War”
One century ago, as “The War to End All Wars” raged on, Mary Scott Bywater of Duluth wrote and published a forgotten anthem.
(more…)
Shuggy Ray Smith – “Ruth from Duluth”
This little tune, purportedly released in December of 1965, is about a “little pretty girl” from Duluth who “eats corn on the cob through a picket fence.” Enjoy. (more…)
Doug Setterberg & Stan Boreson – “Scandinavian Hot Shot”
From the album Yust Try to Sing-a-long in Swedish with Doug Setterberg & Stan Boreson, Golden Crest Records, undated (circa 1962).
Local music fans will recognize this tune as the inspiration for the Hoot Owls song “Scandinavian Hot Rod.”
Video Archive: Fred Tyson – “Free Man”
Circa 2007, Fred Tyson performs “I’m a Free Man” at the Red Lion Lounge … and forgets most of the words.
Bijou Noir – “Do This to Me”
Former Duluthian Gus Watkins has released this new video under his band name, Bijou Noir. He’s returning to Duluth Aug. 10 for an album release show at Blush.
The video was shot this summer in pre-World Cup Croatia, where Watkins has been living off and on since 2017. Joseph Hyrkas is the director.
List of Bands that Have Played Head of the Lakes Fair in Superior
The Head of the Lakes Fair is an annual tradition in Superior. The weekend event usually features bands performing on a stage in the center of the Superior Speedway. Often the headliner is a major touring act that is a bit past its prime. Below is a scattered list of bands that have played the festival. Because … nostalgia. (more…)