Twice in the last two days I’ve read threads that have mentioned the great Minneapolis band Husker Du. For those who are unfamiliar with them Kurt Cobain has admitted that they influenced his work. I’d just like to start this thread to see which other Dopers are fans.
Keith
I like me some Husker Du.
Bob Mould’s first solo album is also pretty kickass. How unexpected was that, considering what he had been recording?
Bob Mould rules. I once drove seven hours to see him play acoustic in Ames, Iowa. I hope he takes a break from working with the WCW to bless us with a new album.
Suddenly they’re everywhere! Can it be that this started in “I didn’t know they were gay”?
Well for whatever reason it’s nice to see them mentioned. Put me down as “pro”.
Anybody else see them live? I did 
Obviously, if you’ve read my threads, I’m a rabid fan. I’ve got some live/demo tapes/CD’s too, if anybody’d like some copies. I’m at work now, but I’ll try to add more later.
I’ll stand up and be counted. I saw them several times in college (UW-Madison) in their early days. Everyone else was listening to REO Speedwagon and Journey then, it was great to see peoples faces when I’d put on Zen Arcade.
Bob Mould’s consistently made great music - Black Sheets of Rain and Copper Blue still get regular play in my house.
My claim to fame: I saw them play with The Replacements.
One of my favorite all-time bands. I still think that Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill off of New Day Rising is the finest single marriage of pop and punk which has been committed to vinyl. And the Metal Circus EP is probably the only thrashy punk album from that era that I still listen to today. Back in my record store clerk days, an opportunity arose to have lunch with the band, and at the last minute something came up which prevented me from attending. Oh well, at least my friend brought me back a copy of Warehouse signed by all the band members. 
Lamar, I agree totally with your mention of Copper Blue. If you haven’t heard the companion EP Beaster which came out soon after the album, I recommend checking it out.
Y’know, with the exception of Beaster (which is VERY good), I can really do without Sugar. I found Copper Blue and FU:EL both to be pretty boring.
OK, since we’re all in agreement here (how often does that happen?), how about listing your top 5 Husker songs so we can keep this thread going? I’ll start (in no particular order):
- Celebrated Summer
- It’s Not Funny Anymore
- Divide And Conquer
- Flip Your Wig
- Chartered Trips/No Reservations (tie)
So I cheated a bit. It’s pretty hard to pick just 5. I also seem to be pretty slanted toward Bob songs. Anybody else?
You guys are right, that was a great game. I played Husker Du for hours as a kid. I loved the commercial for it that supposedly had subliminal advertising in it as well. It was a sweet game, or perhaps that is what the subliminal advertising made me believe.
Hastur, you’re hilarious.
- Celebrated Summer
- The aforementioned Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill
- Makes No Sense At All
- Diane
- Sorry Somehow
And, for a bonus Sugar track: JC Auto
1 Celebrated Summer
2. Girl on Heaven Hill
3. Turn on the News
4. I Apologize
5. Books About UFO’s
Keith
- Could You Be The One?
- Makes No Sense At All
- Celebrated Summer
- Chartered Trips
- Whatever
It seems to me that most Husker fans regard Bob as the true ace and Grant as the talented second-in-command. Anybody feel the reverse? I would have to say that Bob’s post-Husker output kicks Grant’s stuff all over the playground.
Hart hasn’t kicked on, but I regard them as equals in the band. No-one has mentioned Don’t Want to Know if You Are Lonely (by Hart). When that last verse kicks in with “The 'phone is ringing and the clock says four am…” it’s still like the first time I heard it.
My best friend Joe is decidedly more of a Grant fan. He claims he likes the “simpleness” of Grant’s compositions, and says Bob’s voice is too “un-rock-singerish” (which I keep telling him is exactly the point). I agree Grant contributed (almost) as many great songs as Bob in Husker, but yeah, his post-Husker stuff is definitely sub-par.
I was a big Husker Du fan in their heyday, but I haven’t listened to them in a loooong time. Thanks guys for reminding me of some great songs. I do remember that Girl WHo Lives On Heaven Hill, Books About UFO’s, and Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely were three of my favorites.
Had I extended my Top Five by a couple more, “Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely” would have made it. Maybe even “Never Talking To You Again.”
I really liked the acoustic version of “2541” that came out on an EP. When he released “Intolerance,” the version of “2541” on that was all larded up with electric guitars and drums which were very unnecessary.
According to an interview with Grant that I read, during the recording of “Warehouse: Songs and Stories,” Bob pulled Grant aside and nervously but forcefully told him that he would NEVER contribute 50% or better of the songs on ANY Husker Du album. Of course, you can’t be sure it actually happened.
Big, big fan of both Husker Du and Bob Mould’s later output (I think Copper Blue is one of the best albums of the 90s, and “Out Of Your Life” is one of the bst songs ever.)
The Posies, one of my favorite bands, had a song on their Amazing Disgrace album called “Grant Hart” which was terrific. You can read the lyrics here.
Black Sheets of Rain definitely brings back memories, both good and bad. However, my fav was Candy Apple Grey, HD did that right? Or am I confused?!?