Cheapo in Minneapolis MOVING (August 2015 likely)

7/20/15 6:22AM

I went there again yesterday and saw this:


2600 Nicollet Ave S. Minneapolis, MN.

Across the street from Black Sheep Pizza and kiddie-corner from Bad Waitress.
In speaking with Tony and some of the other employees, the plan was initially to open not 1 but 2 stores, 1 likely for VINYL only, and the other for everything else (like St.Paul used to be), but for now, all their sales will be at the 2600 Nicollet location, with the hope to open a 2nd store eventually for Vinyl only. And there will be a Grand Opening and closing date, which will likely be in late August.

I do find it a little odd though being that Treehouse Records is just a few blocks away on 26th and Lyndale. Tony said the folks who go to Treehouse still come to Cheapo already, but I guess I don't necessarily get that impression, at least 100% of them. I.e., some new customers may shop at the new location that didn't before given the even closer proximity. I guess we'll see soon enough.

7/5/15 12:41PM

Just noticed both of these just per Google. Not any specifics as to where, an open date, etc, but more of the same statements of they are moving (not closing), and likely to a smaller location (likely due to cost). Although the part about "Three Decades" I don't know if it is fully accurate as I seem to recall reading the Uptown Cheapo has been in the current location since the late 90's.

http://www.cheapodiscs.com/

Attention Cheapo Aficionados!!

Our Cheapo Uptown store will be moving to a nearby location at the end of the summer. Stay in touch for more details on our shiny new store.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/real_estate/2015/06/cpm-plans-mixed-use-on-cheapo-site-in-uptown.html

The music retailer is looking for another Uptown location after its lease expires in August. A new store would be smaller than the large Lake Street address Cheapo has called home for at least three decades. Cheapo has no plans to close or move its stores in St. Paul or Blaine.

6/22/15-6/23/15 10:40PM-5:58PM

So I went to Cheapo in Uptown tonight for the 1st time in many months and inquired again about their moving situation and it seems they are finally going to move sometime in August and somewhere in South Minneapolis. The story linked below from Channel 4 said they are looking to stay in Uptown, which South Minneapolis is and is not kind of, i.e. there are parts of "South Minneapolis" that are not in Uptown, but also Uptown is considered part of "South Minneapolis."

I'm still wondering where they could end up. Perhaps somewhere else on Lake St, or perhaps like around 32nd/33rd and Lyndale near the Pizza Luce? Or maybe more East Lake St like near the Trylon Cinema and Harriet Brewing?

Anyway, we should find out sometime in the next couple of months. It is bittersweet. Good that they are not actually shutting down for good. Good also for the potential of the area being I suppose a little less crazy and crowded with late-night youths I suppose,which has me trying to avoid the Hennepin/Lake neighborhood late at night, especially on weekend evenings. I do have many memories, both fond and not as fond as I wished, leaving that area around 11:30, Midnight, etc and there being a lot more pedestrians and traffic in general, than I'd prefer.

But maybe bad/sad in that, the Hennepin/Lake area will now have seen 3 businesses I used to frequent gone in the last 2 years (the others being Bar Abilene and The Cafeteria restaurant). The only reason for me to go to that area now will be for the Lagoon and Uptown theaters, and I suppose the Mesa Pizza.

But it does reek of the whole corporate-tized environment of that area and how its become. 2 years ago none of those high-rise Apartments were there, nor the massive parking ramps. It just represents a very different mentality and demographic that I used to think of that area.

But we'll see where Cheapo moves to. I suppose given how long they waited to move, that hopefully means they found a good area and spot. Hopefully with a reasonable parking lot as well.

I even shot a little video that perhaps I will share here soon.

WCCO-TV Story from June 18th, 2015

edit: The comments on Facebook are a mixed bag, with a number of them basically calling this complete Bullshit and the real outcome of Cheapo's lease ending in August, is CLOSING.

You know, all these geniuses and their skepticism can start calling this a joke and that if Cheapo really was going to be actually MOVING and not CLOSING, they'd already have found a location and started moving and announcing details about it LONG AGO.

FINE.

All I can do is pass along what I have read and been told when I asked. I take it at FACE VALUE until there is a reason to believe otherwise.

They're saying the story and video from Channel 4's website says nothing. The owner and/or mgr at Cheapo in Uptown just has their employees saying they will be moving, but it's actually very unlikely, blah blah blah.

That's fine if people want to just not believe anything until it actually happens, but if the news story above and what I was told are actually TRUE, and we have a location and a new building plus an announced re-opening date come say even the last week of August, these folks really ought to eat some crow of some kind.


8/14/13 11:53AM
CP story 

That says it will be open until at least February. Although I have been meaning to go back down there soon (wanting to see if they have any CD copies of TDH's Act III namely), and given before reading that story, the lease was only good through August, I meant to before the end of the month to find out where they are at.

7/22/13 1:27AM
just a brief update:

I went there yesterday afternoon for the 1st time in awhile (and actually found a color 12" single of Rush's New World Man/Vital Signs (live) in fact), and inquired about the lease/move situation.

As it turns out, the owner (I'm assuming) put a BID DOWN for the lease on their current location. Now, when they will know and make public if they will retain/renew the lease for the property/bldg is unclear other than likely before the day the current lease expires, August 31st.

More pure guessing: the company that is ultimately putting in the Parking Ramps and more apartments? down in that area may be interested enough in Cheapo's current space to OUTBID the owner. But that is just my thinking as a worst-case-scenario/potential/possibility.

Hopefully they won't and they will stay where they are (for now at least). But at a minimum, the area and most recent transitions could if it hasn't already impacted Cheapo and that neighborhood.

Just for the sake of seeing it, I'd love to find out what company built the parking ramps (paid for, not the actual Company who did the physical work) and whatever else is being built right now, and find out their motivation. I mean, I wonder if they understand how they are changing that area to become potentially what has not likely ever been from a demographic socio-economic standpoint.

It comes across as CORPORATE, and Lagoon/Hennepin/Lake ain't supposed to be Corporate, at least never has been since I've frequented it.

But they are greedy capitalists I imagine and likely don't give a flying fuck about the music consumer and independent moviegoer in that area.

But for now, what happens to Cheapo still remains to be seen at least.

6/21/13 10:48PM




Well I went down there today, also seeing the Brit Marling/Ellen Page/Alexander Skarsgaard movie The East (very good movie by the way), at Lagoon at 2PM.

But I of course spent some time at Cheapo, and inquired about this situation. And from more than 1 employee I was confirmed the lease does expire at the end of August, and at least 1 suggested without question, THEY ARE MOVING, and NOT CLOSING. I imagine that is what he was told from the owner, so the intention of the owner is to still have a physical retail store. And likely somewhere near the area. So the Harmar thing is very likely nothing he'd consider.

I think he told me there are empty spaces in Uptown, maybe Lake St even. My gf wondered about Hymie's old location, or even where I guess "Dusty Pixels" was? which is/was near The Fifth Element off Hennepin I guess (I never went to Dusty Pixels, at least if it's the store I think it is/was unlike the CD Exchange which was on Lake and then moved to Hennepin and then seemed to be gone soon after.

But the details about this move and plans have still not been announced or even decided exactly. When? right after they close they are out of the current location? Or perhaps a few weeks or months later.

I guess the owner went through a similar situation and move with the Fridley and now Blaine location.

The guy I spoke to also mentioned perhaps there might be only Vinyl and some cds or just Vinyl or the Applause part would have a separate location or business plan. I would imagine there could be some vague changes like that, which I guess for me and many others, as long as they carry Vinyl, and rock Vinyl, I won't be affected as much (although I hope Jazz vinyl is still there too..frankly any and all Vinyl actually, including the 45s, 12-inches namely, which St.Paul had to purge into storage when the East sides cds and dvds killed the amount of space).



6/21/13 12:55AM

A Post in THIS TOPIC on the modern-radio.com message 

claims:

Uptown Cheapo is moving. The lease is up at the end of August.
Moving where and how?
Nobody but the old man knows....

-First stuff like Lagoon Theater having to include multiplex titles in their showings in order to survive.

-Things like the Red Dot Net Stations disappear

-The Daily Hours get CUT, having the store only open until Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and then only 10PM 7 days a week.

-The neighborhood gets taken over by some SUITS building HIPSTER apartments and PARKING RAMPS and LOTS.

-The Vinyl section downstairs ends up getting purged upstairs and a Bookstore opens up in its place in the basement.

-Then the dwindling of the St.Paul location with a BW3 killing the mom and pops nature of that part of Snelling in St.Paul.

And now, the signature business not only in that area, but more or less for MUSIC in this town, future is up in the air.

Optimistically, they find a location with LOWER RENT, but perhaps at least a bit more convenient. Maybe in NorthEast? I'm racking my brain trying to think of places that are somewhat large enough where they could move to, that aren't incredibly far away. A place like a mall or something might make sense from a RENT standpoint and SIZE standpoint, but the 1 place that keeps coming up is HARMAR which used to be a big Mall that I and many others frequented, but it is somewhat different (if not dead in some ways, now). But one problem with it might just be HOW FAR AWAY it is.

Based on that, if there were a Mall or area in Uptown that had a bunch of businesses, and 1 large space now vacant (like where Hollywood Video used to be for example, off Hennepin), that might make the most sense. But I just am blanking right now, on my relatively limited knowledge of Business Real Estate in the Uptown area.

Maybe the owner does have some things at work, but then again, there's probably a better than 50% chance, the owner DOES NOT AT THIS POINT, and is really just buying time, hoping to find something in the coming weeks.

It's too bad, the idea of the Minneapolis and St.Paul stores combining almost seems like it could have SAVED the East Side of St.Paul now, had they known that the Uptown location was going to have to move anyway.

Sure, it would be better to have 2 locations in Minneapolis/St.Paul (Blaine is there too, but it's still in a remote suburb), but if 1 of them, especially Uptown were going to possibly have to close, and the other downsized, the alternative of having 1 LARGER location with the 2 of them combining forces in whatever way they could, and saving the larger part of St.Paul (or likely keeping it, and keeping the West Side as All Vinyl and Cassettes), I'd take the larger combined store over losing Uptown all-together.

It would still kill much of the inventory that comes from Uptown and the Mpls area, but I imagine St.Paul's inventory would grow and include some different stuff at times, that would have ended up at Uptown anyway.

But that's all a woulda, coulda, shoulda, and hypothetical fiction that didn't and likely won't happen.

But the sad reality is, the future of my favorite music retailer is up in the air. Times are certainly in the transition stage this Summer. This past week, my gf's older/ailing dog of 12 years time seems to be closing down (if not now, likely soon I'm very sad/afraid to believe).

The deaths of James Galdolfini and Vince Flynn fwiw.

And now this.

I guess I'll bump/edit this when I find out more official or specific information. But for now, I am concerned if not a bit depressed about this. My friend Jess on FB did point out, at least they likely would have some kind of SALE, which is all but a small consolation, but I guess it's a little something.

I also wonder if perhaps the owner will go to INTERNET sales, which kind of would suck comparably, but my love/support of Cheapo, and THAT Cheapo especially, would want me to still purchase as much music from them as possible.

I think this does have a lot to do with the nature of that area recently and those buildings changing the atmosphere. Some SUIT likely went in there and talked to their owner and offered them too much, they couldn't refuse. That and how they are struggling, from a business standpoint, it may have just been a NO BRAINER. But sadly, the idea of moving to a new location may not also have been as obvious to plan in the process of getting out of debt.

Fuck.

Citypages Top Twitterers: My Profile

@AllMediaReviews

Ky Gil, age 37, works in Medical Claims.

Representative tweet: went to @artistsquarter last night for possibly the final time.I could have done w/out the hipsters not listening/watching the show however.

Describe your account: A feed for my blog, and some things I don't manage to include in my blog, which  is largely based on news and opinions about underground and lesser known music, namely progressive rock.

One good thing about Twitter: Interacting and connecting news from the direct source (music, being the artist themselves).

Explain Twitter in one sentence: At its best, an immediate news and gossip source.

Do your friends use Twitter? yes, although most of them use Facebook and do not use Twitter at this point, if that says anything.

One bad thing about Twitter: Like most social media, the focus seems to be all too often about *Who* is first to post news or a rumor, not WHAT is in said post. Also, I still feel the word "Tweet" sucks, and should be done away with. Call it a "Twitter Post" and leave it at that, please. Also an "edit" function would help a fair amount, which I'd predict will happen sooner than later (see Facebook).

Anything Else?  "How many followers" I have is not what I focus on, but more if I am able to help support and spread the word about things I care about (interesting, often underground music) to others, even if it's only just a handful of people, and even if it is 2 or 3 years after it's been posted. I don't follow crowds, or typically succumb to what is "hip" unlike the impression I get from so many people on Twitter and what is littered throughout Social Media (or in the case of Minnesota, among certain Music Media/Media outlets).

I know there is an audience for what I enjoy and talk about, and I know most if not all the media outlets will not give the recognition it deserves, if they ever give it any recognition at all.

If you like @AllMediaReviews you'll also like @altprogcore and @Neesh .

Valid Criticism: 89.3 The Current

MPR’s The Current Plays the Same Old Tune

my facebook post a bit ago:

This a good article, as well as THIS (http://www.crookedsaws.com/2013/04/15/what-happened-with-the-current/ ) about sad reality of what 89.3 is (and to an extent WHAT IT COULD BE, BUT IS NOT). I have written many times about this in my blog (allmediareviews.blogspot.com ..just search "89.3" among other tags). I might think, like Pitchfork hypocrisy with Metal, it may actually take someone The Current likes and RESPECTS TO CALL THEM OUT for them to actually change and at least come close to what they could be.

The 1st thing I think they could and should do though is get rid of the snob-ish impression and influence they seem to narcissistically force down the music community in this town's throat.

Not that I would go out of my way to find these kinds of articles on a regular basis. And I'll reiterate/admit, after the Music Meeting a few months ago, hating on 89.3, maybe mostly the people involved, I sort of feel has lost much of it's steam/fire to me.

But, the articles I just found, are probably still worth adding to the support of the lack of interest in their station. Probably in their influence on the music community in town here (along with Citypages, First Ave and even The Electric Fetus a bit..the local music hipster monopoly, and how they have sort of hijacked venues I used to love like The Varsity Theater and The Cedar Cultural Center to an extent).

But here's what I put up on Facebook after my gf shared it earlier. I do side with her about 1 little thing, being the shot at Fountains of Wayne. Not that I love them, but they are not as indicative of the problem with 89.3's playlist and countless others.

But I may have to get in touch or become acquainted with Matt Peiken and Opine Season in some way. I don't think he mentioned there about still being involved with KFAI, but perhaps I could still be in contact with him per the station.

Michael Nesmith in St.Paul 4/5/13

4/6/13 9:30PM
Edit: Here's a bunch of live videos from the show.

Thanks to Shayla (on Facebook) aka "MichaelNesmith4Ever" on Youtube, for filming these and sharing them.


4/6/13 12:34PM
Here's the setlist, which seems to be the standard for this tour. He tells the stories before most of the songs, which honestly is very cool and adds much to the perspective of each song. Although having heard a bootleg from last Fall, obviously the stories were told more or less the same way.

Papa Gene's Blues
(The Monkees song)
Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care)
Tomorrow and Me
Different Drum
Joanne
Silver Moon
Some of Shelly's Blues
Rio
Casablanca Moonlight
Grand Ennui
Cruisin'
Rays
Life the Unsuspecting Captive/Marie's Theme/Lamppost (Closing Theme from The Prison)
Laugh Kills Lonesome

Encore:
Thanx for the Ride

Okay, well to rehash/reiterate, Michael Nesmith is my girlfriend's all-time favorite musician, and she, much like many other long time fans, has been waiting for decades to see the man live. Last Fall it happened finally with The Monkees outside of Southern California, sans for the 1 reunion tour that for Mike ended in Europe in 1997.

But last Fall was THE MONKEES, and this was MIKE himself, which for the most part, his music is a fair amount different.

I did like how involved his backing band was. His guitarist, Chris Scruggs really worked well especially, playing some of the pedal steel and slide guitar that many of Mike's tunes feature. I suppose highlight-wise for me, seeing Rio of course and the suite from The Prison probably stood out the most. But I didn't find any tune he played boring. I suppose had Mike taken my suggestion of "Wax Minute" it might have been even more special, but I also didn't expect him to play that.


And of course my girlfriend, had many tunes, probably from the First National Band LPs, she might have gone even more crazy for, but she was so strung up about seeing and Meeting Mike, that wasn't on her mind much.

I must say, hearing "Crusin'" I believe it was, Kevin Gilbert very easily could have been listening to that tune when he wrote the 1st phrase of "Imagemaker." The cadence and phrasing, and tempo are very similar. And of course Kevin was a big Monkees fan, and Mike's son Christian is a Kevin Gilbert and progressive rock fan (cites Dug Pinnick of King's X as a friend as well). So, it would hardly be surprising if Kevin knew, liked and was influenced by Mike's solo music as well.


A couple of points to bring up, that should not be forgotten:

1) The "Conversations" that Mike announced via Facebook a few weeks ago. Only 25 TOTAL were available for each concert, and they went on sale, unannounced, at 3AM. I unfortunately woke up at 2AM, got an email about them but they were not for sale yet. I went back to sleep, and woke up to my alarms around 5:30AM, and tried to purchase 2 "Conversations" passes via his Videoranch.com Unfortunately, it said they were SOLD OUT (and I should try again), My girlfriend then tried to purchase 1 "Conversation"
and she got 1! So I then tried to get 1 and I kept getting the "Sold Out" over and over again, to the point it eventually just said "Sold Out. No more passes are available for your concert."

It sucked, as I wanted to be there WITH HER  when she got to meet the guy she's dreamed of meeting and revered for over 26 years. But when Mike talked about these "Conversations" he wanted them to more like chats, casual, etc, NOT "VIP Meet and Greets" that a lot artists do sometimes before (preferably, to be honest), or after shows.

This was to my guess, to be like the special After show chats for the VIP and the BLACK CARD holders for the Ours shows I should have the ability to see for the next 4 years or so.The 1 time I have used my Black Card, we got in a line and went upstairs into a room and sat in chairs and hung with the band, for mostly an unlimited amount of time.

Well The Fitzgerald Theater did nothing of this sort. The email my girlfriend got said TO WAIT BY OUR SEAT after the show, after more or less all the crowd cleared. Well, instead, she ended up to having to wait in the Fitz's rather small and limited space hallway with the other 24 people. Mike HIMSELF was wondering how or why there wasn't some kind of table for him to sit on.

And of course many of the staff would not let myself and some friends wait in the corridor for my girlfriend. No, they more or less kicked us out. And while it wasn't Siberian-cold weather out last night, it also wasn't all that warm. Maybe 30 degrees (although it had been lightly sleeting earlier in the evening, thankfully it had stopped at the point we were outside).

2) Lack of Promotion: Not surprisingly, but still pathetically, CITYPAGES had absolutely NOTHING about it in their weekly printed edition. They found Shirley Mansion and Garbage were more interesting to write about I guess. Which I don't mind Shirley, maybe more for her work on the TERMINATOR show, than her band, but whatevah. It's not like people have waited DECADES to see her.

All in All, this was about as eventful as any concert this year (or ever for my girlfriend especially). And now, our little battle finally shifts into MY CORNER for BUCKET LIST acts to see live, as she has now seen both Michael Nesmith with The Monkees and SOLO. Her all-time favorite musician. And she MET HIM as well. So, I can finally say, I've waited the longest, as I have never seen LED ZEPPELIN which I have waited nearly 23 years..although she doesn't like to count that since "yeah, but one of the member's be DEAD."

But, I have others as well. Maybe more on that later.

She now has 3 of the 4 Monkees (including Davy) signed to her 7" inch single of "Daydream Believer" only needing Micky now!

Also, a note, since Mike could be back with The Monkees this Summer and/or another Solo leg, if this current tour goes well. I may have more Michael Nesmith concerts to talk about in here soon.

Coheed + Between TBAM + Russian Circles Winter 2013 Tour

1 link

Dates:
Feb 04 2013 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Feb 05 2013 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Feb 07 2013 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Feb 08 2013 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
Feb 09 2013 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theatre
Feb 10 2013 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Feb 12 2013 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Feb 14 2013 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
Feb 15 2013 – Salt Lake City, UT – SaltAir
Feb 17 2013 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Feb 18 2013 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Feb 19 2013 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Feb 21 2013 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theater
Feb 22 2013 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Feb 25 2013 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Feb 26 2013 – The Marquee – Tempe, AZ
Feb 27 2013 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theatre
Mar 01 2013 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s
Mar 02 2013 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
Mar 03 2013 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
Mar 05 2013 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
Mar 06 2013 – Saint Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
Mar 07 2013 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
Mar 08 2013 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore
Mar 10 2013 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
Mar 11 2013 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Mar 14 2013 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
Mar 16 2013 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall*
(NYC going on sale the following week)

This isn't exactly the newest of news, as I recall seeing this at least a few days ago in an email from the Coheed email list. What I wasn't aware of, was it coming to Minneapolis. And 1st Ave, lol. Now Coheed has played there a few times I recall, but Between the Buried and Me?

Hey local Minnesota Music Media and Hipsters:
Your favorite venue is going to have a genuine, self-indulgent/wanky PROG METAL band play in the MAIN ROOM. Yeah, Opeth have been at First Ave, The Mars Volta as well, and The Dear Hunter played there once as an opener. But overall, as far as Prog and ProgMetal, and not really Pitchfork-approved, this is finally something.

Maybe since Dream Theater was there in 1997 or King's X in 2002?. Porcupine Tree never played there, nor did Fair to Midland. dredg? nope. It's a long list of bands who arguably were big enough, but that place refused to book.

I suppose it would mean a lot more if BTBAM were actually headlining there. But so be it.
Some predictions to make, right now, on November 8th, 2012:

-Citypages WILL NOT include this show in their "Sunday the 10th Live Music" feature.They may not even list in their music calendar as they have failed to do so multiple times with recent shows (Gotye and Mayer Hawthorne to name 2).
-It will get no mention (nor music from Coheed and BTBAM on the air of course) on 89.3, nor Radio K (although Radio K does play Russian Circles, but Coheed and BTBAM? maybe like 10 years ago, lol).
-Vita.mn will be the only publication that will include a story/write up about it.
-Chris Riemenschneider and Jon Bream might mention it, but not favorably
-If there is a sizable crowd, some of the local stores will finally start carrying BTBAM Vinyl.

Now, the truth for me is, while I wave the flag and fight for these bands, and Coheed and BTBAM new albums I like some of, it's not like I've rekindled my love for their latest music as much as I would have liked.

But I have still not seen Coheed live, and it's been awhile (Progressive Nation 2008) since I've seen BTBAM.

Russian Circles? meh..I suppose they are better live, but they have just mellowed too much (or sounded a bit too much like Explosions in the Sky) since Enter. But I did see them, and recall enjoying that show.

And the show in looking at the Calendar, is on a Sunday night, which barring some kind of blizzard, is in my favor as I loathe trying to go downtown Minneapolis on a weekend evening. I may have to ask for the next day or morning off though.

edit:

lol @First Ave about Between the Buried and Me
 http://first-avenue.com/performer/between-buried-me
 (or the blurb they passed along from some guy who writes for Alternative Press).

Between the Buried and Me have not made a name for themselves through playing it safe. Pushing the envelope of heavy music with each successive release, they have continually evolved in thrilling new directions while maintaining the honesty and integrity that has connected with so many listeners. With The Parallax II: Future Sequence, the first concept album of their career, the North Carolina based unit have delivered their most complex, ambitious, and accomplished work to date. "We're certainly not the average metal band - we write what we want to write, and we've never really tried to fit in anywhere," states guitarist Paul Waggoner. "With this record we held nothing back. We were excited to experiment and see where it took us, and working with a concept was a really interesting new challenge."

apparently the writer doesn't consider Colors (nor The Great Misdirect, or even Alaska) a concept album, lol. ewwwkay.

Live Music Venues in Minnesota

This is a list of sorts of my own personal rankings of venues in the Minneapolis and St.Paul area. This list and the hyperbolic opinions of course are my own, and are not meant to over inflate nor disparage these venues from doing business, as without them, there would be no live music in Minnesota. But I am not pulling many punches here, as I think it's good to get out an honest take on a lot of these places.

Not to forget, the mainstream music media doesn't necessarily include some of these spots, or opinions about them. To throw out a different feeling might actually get them to re-examine their own sense about the live music scene in my hometown.

Also the fact I'm sure plenty of those types don't know, or maybe stumbled upon this blog once or twice. The networking within their circles doesn't seem to know this blog as a MINNESOTA/MINNESOTA MUSIC BLOG. But the fact is, it is, along with a blog for tons of music not from Minnesota. They seem to be captured in their own little bubble, but perhaps by giving an extensive look at live music here from someone not inside said bubble, they will realize not everyone reads Citypages, listens to 89.3 and shops at The Electric Fetus exclusively like they like to give the impression they should.

Edits, Images and other things may be added in due time, but given some factors, I'm going to have to go with this the way it is for now.

I would rank the live music venues in the Twin Cities as follows:

1. Whole Music Club Why is this #1. The only show I saw there, Menomena with The Cloak Ox and 1 other band, I thought was terrific. They have couches, it's isolated downstairs at the Coffman Student Union at the U. The Sound is nice. I had no issues bringing my laptop or getting Wifi. Chatting with the bands afterwards was totally cool.

I really want to see more shows there, but I'm not sure how likely that'll be given the costs, but if an artist wishes to play for other means.

Edit: Ted Mann Concert Hall/The Weismann Art Musuem/Coffman Student Union
I need to bundle in these other 3 venues at the U of M as they are all nice places to see music at. Like The Whole, I only have been able to attend a few select shows at each of them. But I like the fact they are student promoted, and thus the hipster media doesn't seem to force their way into pimping them. I recall

2. The Artist Quarter This place is what The Dakota Jazz club used to be in St.Paul, sans for the food (fries). But the atmosphere, convenience, sound, setting, times of shows, cost of shows, and artists that play there are all very much in my preference. It is for Jazz, but Jazz is best experienced live anyway. There's not a more intimate, relaxing venue in Minnesota.

3. Celtic Junction The 2 Dean Magraw all-day benefits that were there, along with Lehto & Wright's Children's Songs CD Release show are the only shows I've seen there, but I can't really say much if anything bad about this place. It very much has the environment and blue collar/community approach that The Cedar Cultural Center used to have when Bill Kubeczko ran it. The only things I wish were different about it, are the lack of non-Irish (or Celtic) acts performing there. And how few concerts have been held there; but it was not even primarily set up for live music, but things like dance lessons and classes, etc.

4. Triple Rock Social Club This has become the best rock venue in the Twin Cities, in some ways by default. They have Air Conditioning, a number of places to sit, they allow you to bring in your computer, and normally you're able to meet the bands afterwards. Along with seeing a number of really memorable concerts there over the last few years (The Besnard Lakes, The Dear Hunter, The Receiving End of Sirens, Brooke Waggoner, Deerfhoof). The only things about it I'm not as crazy about is it being in the Cedar/Riverside area, and the fact a lot of concerts go late there. But the staff don't even get on you to leave like some venues (including their neighbors at The Cabooze). I honestly would rather see a band here over almost every other venue in town, and they do get a lot of touring acts I like thankfully. I think other venues should model themselves after this place.

5. Varsity Theater For a number of years, this was the premiere live venue in Minnesota for clubs at least. Good sound, charming decor, parking was convenient, and getting to meet the bands was almost a sure thing every time. But, the reason they have dropped down to 5th (and even below Triple Rock), is what seems like the First Ave/Hipster have poked their head into their business process, and they seem to be catering more towards the hipster than I would prefer. When they 1st started having live music there in 2005, 2006, 2007, that didn't seem to be the case. They were sort of a rival to First Ave. Now they seem to be acting like First Ave's little brother. I can't even seem to bring in my computer in anymore and blog, at least depending on some shows.

I will say, I still prefer this place over most, and do like some of the changes they've made, like the upstairs area. But I suppose it's maybe a push, because the old Risers and Couches seem to be gone, or random at best to find there. You don't know what the seating situation is before every concert, which, I wish I did. Mesa Pizza and Five Guys in the area are nice traditional food spots, but the lack of a Wells Fargo ATM down the street now kind of sucks.

6. The Baroque Room Personal bias aside (my cousin and his wife run this place in downtown St.Paul), this about as nice of a venue to hear acoustic music. At least intimate, and for Classical music, specifically Baroque and Chamber. I have only seen my cousin and his wife with some others perform there a couple of times, but I can't think of another spot better, for what it's used for. They even offer wine, cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies, etc. The biggest downside to it I suppose is in order for artists to perform there at this point, they don't really get paid (but have to pay?..I recall asking my cousin and thought he said). So, in a way, it's sort of a music space purely for performance. Tips, cd sales, etc I'm sure can help, but it does hurt the idea of recommending some artists I know to desire to play there. But it's not impacting their success from what I can tell as they have performances very regularly.

7. Black Dog Cafe I've seen Dean Magraw at this place like 8 times in 2012. It's a perfect situation, where the 1st Tuesday of every month Dean goes on with some other musicians, usually Davu Seru on drums and at times some others. He plays from 7-9PM. There is no cost, just suggested tipping. Dean will do his thing, usually Jazz interpretations. It's about the most relaxing, enjoyable live setting I could ever ask for. And it's only once a month.

Plus the Cuban sandwich is maybe the best entree of any kind I've fallen for over the last year. There's a reason why it won an award in 2009 in Citypages. Plus they have a great Carmel Apple Cider in the Fall/Winter time.

I love the fact Dean is doing well, and playing these gigs every month there (although he won't be there this next month of November, but Davu and Marcus Anderson? I think will be at least).

I can't say enough good things about Black Dog at this point, I only worry about when the Light Rail is connected in 2014, the traffic levels for Dean's shows and Black Dog in general may change, for better or worse. I just hate to see little secrets spots become not so secretive (I know, why am I talking about it then? :p).

8. McGuire Theater at The Walker Art Center I saw St.Vincent do 2 shows there last year, and I must say, the theater's acoustics, design, and even the convenience/affordability of the parking really impressed me, so much I really want to go back. The show itself was mixed, and it does give off a little bit of a hipster vibe, but I could look past that stuff if I may end up there more. I guess on paper, this is a very desirable venue with the jury out about its potential flaws. It's not even quite in downtown Mpls too which is preferable.

9. The Ritz Theater A very nice theater in Northeast Minneapolis. I have seen 2 shows there, Jenny Dalton (with Murzik) and The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra (with Trent Romens). Both of those shows were very enjoyable. The sound, size, area, parking, etc were all quite welcoming. I guess the only issue with this place is cost and booking artists/events. Very much reminds me of The Woman's Club Theater's issues as well.

10. Cedar Cultural Center I used to love this place. It truly was the anti-First Ave. They booked almost exclusively ethnic, acoustic and musician-based acts. But when Bill Kubeczko left, the people who took over clearly joined up with 89.3, First Ave and the Hipster monopoly to an extent. And what ended up happening is a lot more artists who were championed by those crowds ended up there. Now, they have still brought in a lot of the kinds of acts they used to, although not all of them, per Bireli Lagrene for example.

Dean Magraw does still play there, but not as much as he used to I don't get the sense. Nor is their Tabla Nights, Solstice Events, nor The Minnesota Guitar Trios. And not to forget Nordic Roots Festival and the Hawaiian Slack-Key guitar festivals that don't happen there anymore either.

So what you have is, another venue, that had to cater to the populous to stay afloat, but in the process, is not quite what it once was. Mind you, I still enjoy going there, and seeing acts perform. But it is without question more hipster than it used to be.

11. Turf Club This place is a safe haven in a lot of ways. So anti-Minneapolis. The parking is convenient and free in the area, since it's in St.Paul. There's plenty of seating. They don't care about you bringing in a laptop to use. Meeting the bands is almost always possible. The sound for the most part is decent. And at this point, it's not hipster enough to bug me. Now, like many others in St.Paul, once the Light Rail is running in 2014, it may change, but for now I am totally happy seeing shows here. I suppose the only issue I have had with it is the shows almost always tend to go late. But given its in St.Paul, it's easier for me to work around that.

12. Woman's Club Theater I saw Greg Howard and then stayed for Tim Reynolds at this nice Loring Park area theater in 2001. That was 1 of the most memorable concerts I've ever seen. They have not booked another concert or event I have wanted to go to since. That saddens me, but I've come to forget about expecting it to happen. I'd put this closely on par with The Ritz Theater, but the Loring Park area is less desirable than The Ritz's area. But I'd rather see a show here over any of the Hennepin Theatre district spots.

13. Dreamland Arts I saw Greg Herriges there, just once, but it was a great show. Very intimate little place in the Hamline University area. Among the smallest little venues, this is definitely one I would want to frequent more.

14. Fitzgerald Theater This is definitely the best larger theatre in the Twin Cities. A classic old theater, with great acoustics. For a little while I was seeing shows there regularly (Jean Luc-Ponty, Ian Anderson), and was able to meet them after shows in fact. But in the last 6 or 7 years, they haven't been getting the acts I enjoy. Prices are usually more spendy too (Pat Metheny, $75 I recall back in 2002). And of course the most noteworthy thing personally was in 2004 when the somewhat renowned Genesis concert recreation act The Musical Box were confirmed to play there, and I busted my ass to try and promote it, but ultimately, Sue McLean had to pull the plug due to the band needing to sell like 2/3 or more of the seats to break even for the travel costs (they traveled with Genesis original SLIDES and SETS among other things).
Would have The Musical Box show gone through at another venue? unlikely, but I never knew all the logistics.

Had Minnesota Wild Goalie and hardcore Genesis fan Dwayne Rolloson been able to help, or by some freak circumstance, getting ahold of all the people who went to Peter Gabriel in 2002 at Target Center, might  have allowed enough ticket sales for Sue not to pull the plug, but that's again pure speculation and far in the past sadly. It probably would have been the most memorable show at The Fitz for me, but so be it.

15. Orchestra Hall I like this place, and often find ways to see shows for affordable rates.Being downtown Minneapolis and the way they kind of push their events at you are the main negatives about it. For a large classical or string/chamber based concert, I'm not sure there is a better spot. The Ordway maybe, but this place always seems more grand and epic. The Pat Metheny show I saw in 2005 and Cloud Cult in 2011 are among the best things I've seen there.

16. Orpheum Among the 3 theatres in the Hennepin trio, this is the best. The sound is best, the security often seems less forward (save for Jethro Tull in 2011). I guess it still has some issues that all 3 of them do, like jacked up ticket prices and merch, but I have always felt it less so here compared to the State Theatre.

17. First Ave As much as the hipsters run this place, I have grown to accept the Main Room for the most part. But, it would probably be higher if the negatives didn't stick out so much. The lack of soundproofing walls/booking music-based events simultaneously that create distractions from other rooms. I.e. The Record Room, and both Main Room-to-Entry and Entry-to-Main Room. The location being so close to Twins games(for parking, downtown crowd size), and late shows. At the Bloc Party show in 2009, they had a DJ spin music for 2 hours after opening the doors (instead of a later door time, or an opening act instead). It was A HUGE waste of time.

That all being said, the fact is, they do get acts I enjoy, and want to support/see live. And the Sight Lines and sound are preferable to many. If they relocated, changed management, stopped booking/promoting genres based on what Pitchfork spits out to them, I would actually be proud of this place. But that unlikely will never happen. In the mid 2000's I recall them being out of commission, and I was honestly happy to see that. Now, I'm sort of on the fence, but to say I'd rather see bands play other venues is accurate. Although if they actually booked some bands (to headline) like The Dear Hunter, Fair to Midland, Porcupine Tree, dredg or Marillion, my feelings about it might change.

18. Kitty Kat Club I like the location for the most part, and the intimacy. Is it a hipster spot? maybe a little bit, but the U of M crowd is less 89.3/Pfork and more just funny/peculiar people-watching college crowd. This is almost Dinkytown's answer to the Turf Club in a way. It's a good place to unwind and escape. And the live music and staff are usually very low key. I honestly wish I could see more local artists play there. They even have a Soul Night with a DJ that plays some really cool, obscure songs I should really research and seek out.

19. Ordway I've only seen a few shows there, most notably Yo Yo Ma a number of years back, and it was great. I guess the biggest issue it has is, it's not maybe primarily used to for music (more plays?), and the cost of tickets. But I plan to see Poncho Sanchez there this Friday evening, so my feelings about it may change.

20. Northrup Auditorium I like how large this place is, but the area at the U of M makes it a journey to walk to at times. They also are spotty in the shows they book. But when some  tours are looking to come to Minnesota, I'd rather they get the show, compared to some of the other theaters here.. I saw The Moody Blues and Steely Dan there within the last 8 years, 2 decent shows, although that's kind of all they were, decent. But given the choice between this and say a smaller arena like Roy Wilkins, I'd go with Northrup. Even just based on weather and drive, I'd take this spot over the Minnesota Zoo.

21. Music Box Theatre/Loring Theater I only caught 1 show at this place back in 2009 on Halloween I recall, We Valedictorians (Jordan Gatesmith of Howler/Total Babe's 1st band), and it was really nice. It is a theater, so it wasn't a typical rock music venue. But the size was nice, not small but not too big. I guess given it is not up and running currently, it was almost a "what could have been." The Ritz and Woman's Club theaters are similar (along with many locations at college auditoriums like at Hamline University, and others such as Ted Mann concert hall).

I suppose given its location and lack of affiliation with a school. it had more opportunity to gain a following/momentum, but it didn't seem to be in the cards. It might have been cost, with liquor licenses and such. Star Central I think found itself in a similar financial bind after less than a year of booking national touring acts. Although perhaps this place would only have held locals anyway, but who knows if that made any difference.The Heliotrope festival was even held there its last year.

The building may be in limbo right now, but if it ever comes back, I would still regard it as one of the better venues in Minnesota.

22. Club Underground I only caught 1 concert at this place a few years ago. It's a club in Northeast Minneapolis, that I figured would suck, but in fact it was really pretty nice. Bands play downstairs, they have tables and chairs. It's pretty laid back. Parking isn't an issue. And the sound is okay. I suppose like Kitty Kat, I just wish more bands would play there, so I could go back. But beyond The Ritz, it's the 2nd best venue in Northeast for music.

23. Patrick's Cabaret This space in the East Lake St area is actually really nice. I only went there once, in 2011. It almost reminds me of a Cedar Cultural Center or Celtic Junction with bleachers? Sound wise it's good, parking is not great, but I suppose acceptable. The area is maybe the biggest issue I have with it as I don't love that area too much. That and the fact they don't typically book artists I know. I wonder if Dean Magraw has ever played there. Perhaps, and I didn't know about it.

24. Pantages Theater Given the issues I have with the State Theatre, this by default I enjoy more. I only caught 1 show there I recall, Polyphonic Spree in 2007, but it was rather memorable. Size-wise, it's smaller than the other 2 Hennepin Theatres, which in some ways is a good thing. I just wonder if the cost to book acts there is a lot higher than comprable size venues like First Ave, Varsity, etc. I guess depending on the kind of music, I'm not sure why an artist would go here instead. But I suppose if they want a smaller theatre show, this is the one. But being in downtown Mpls, ticket prices, and the alternatives, it is a 2nd or 3rd choice. But that being said, I would go for seeing more shows there. I wonder if Hennepin Theatres end up sticking many of their non-music stuff like plays, stand up comedy there instead just based on demand/draw.

25. The Guthrie Theater A nice place, despite the new location. But it's isolated, and thus many people don't hear about shows there. The Jon Anderson concert in 2009? that happened there didn't sell incredibly well. But the show itself was good enough. The sound, seating, etc, were nothing to have issue with. I guess booking more concerts, prices, and not comparing as well with some others are the reasons this place is lower. Also the fact like Ordway and some others, I don't get the sense its primary events are music, but plays and other things instead.

26. Highland Library I've seen Greg Herriges and his ensemble here a couple of times, and always enjoyed it. The acoustics are nice for Greg's style of ethnic/folky prog. I like the fact it's in Highland Park, the shows don't go late, it usually is free, and it's quite welcoming. Parking is easy as well, plus it's right down the street from Half Price Books and not far from where my girlfriend is attending grad school at St. Kate's. The only issue I suppose with it is how infrequent I have gone there, but in some ways it's nice given how intermittent that makes shows.

27. The Beat Coffee House I have been to this place maybe 3 or 4 times, and really can't say I've ever had any bad experiences there. It is 1 of those cafe's I suppose, like a Dunn Brothers or Gingko's, but I guess I have enjoyed shows there a little more. Maybe due to the seating. It's intimate, but not exactly a shack. I'd say it's as if not more comfortable than most other venues of its type. And props for booking Timbre earlier this year at the 11th hour. Location wise, it is in the Uptown area, not far from Cheapo, but at least when I have gone there, the shows have been over relatively early. Maybe in some ways, it's Minneapolis version of Sin-E?

28. Fine Line This used to be somewhat of a staple venue, especially back when I loathed going to 1st Ave, it was the best alternative. Granted, I've never been crazy about it's location in the Warehouse District, but I suppose back about 10 years ago, the WH district was a bit less shady than it has become. And I had a better system to park (along Marquette Ave near the Library was my goal). I suppose had I made a list like this 10 years ago or less, this place would have made the top 10 for sure. But the issues it has now, maybe 1st and foremost due to not booking shows I want to see anymore, have caused it to drop.

I did see some of my favorite shows there, from Porcupine Tree/Opeth to Mutemath to Ours twice, including joining them onstage to play drums once (maybe the greatest moment of my concert going life). And the staff usually is pretty cool, including a few times I came in late within a gig, and I ended up getting in free. They also do have seating upstairs at least, although those often disappear fast.

I guess given its present state, and the fact it is downtown Mpls and where it is down there, not far from the shady crowd near Tropix and Sexworld, it is this low. But historically, this place definitely is a spot I have a lot of fond memories of. But then again, the same can be said about places like The Entry or the 400 Bar; i.e. not necessarily at the top of my venue choices still.But not at the bottom either.

29. XCel Energy Center Without question the best Arena venue in Minnesota. The gap between it and Target Center is like Night and Day still. The acoustics, visuals, and even the fact it's in St.Paul scores in its favor. But, of late it seems more shows are ending up at Target Center instead. Likely due to the promoters are forking over more dough. And the fact is, like most Arena and Theater shows., the prices are through the roof. Now, I'll fully admit to having some luck finding people with extra tickets on the street down there. But at the same time, I've enjoyed hearing shows in the background in the corridors while killing time.

So, with those factors, this place is desirable for its size (and also light years better than the Roy Wilkins auditorium within the same building), but within the budgetary concerns, and lack of reliable bookings, I can't say I wish to have bands play there every time out. But more or less on every level, it's an upgrade from its Minneapolis counterpart in Target Center. Even just with parking, given in St.Paul, meters aren't enforced after 4:30 (on most streets, as of 2012 at least). I do wonder like most St.Paul venues, what impact the Light Rail coming in 2014 will have. Hopefully nothing major.

30. Hosmer Library This is a bit like The Highland Library in that I've seen Greg Herriges there a few times, and it works pretty well. It's not as large a room where they perform as Highland, but for that reason, it's a little more intimate (if that's possible). I guess other IMSOM (Indian Music Society of Minnesota) shows end up there at times? So perhaps at least in terms of frequency, they have more concert events than Highland. But on the flip size, being in South Minneapolis, while not undesirable, is not as desirable an area compared to Highland. But at the same time, I prefer its area over other parts of town  (North Minneapolis for example, or even East Lake St near Patrick's Cabaret). Given it is a library, I'm not putting it higher, but for what it is for live music, it is 1 of the better options in Minnesota.

31. The Minnesota Zoo When the weather is nice, and they book shows I want to see, this is an enjoyable location. However, I don't live in Eagan anymore, thus it's a little more of a commute than I'd prefer. The tickets are often rather high as well. It is seasonal of course which limits its quantity and time-of-year, for shows every year. And the fact it is outside, at least for the shows I saw, the smokers presence was at times unavoidable to notice. Also the fact the seating is sardine-can-like makes some of the concerts less comfortable than I would prefer.

As far as outdoor venues, there aren't many better, it's just the different issues that factor in to shows there force it to be a bit lower comparably. But I'd be lying if I didn't include the fact I wish more acts would get booked there. Porcupine Tree of course for there name would be nice. But the fact the shows don't go too late and it's not in either downtown is in its favor. Back in my Eagan days, it was about as perfect a location, but I'm not residing there anymore. Myth I suppose is the current equivalent, although the negative factors at Myth outweigh the Zoo's by a little.

32. Barfly I've ended up seeing a few concerts at this place as a last-minute substitute venue, and the experiences have been mixed. Mute Math, Under the Influence of Giants and Ozric Tentatcles. I all saw there. It's less of a concert hall, but more of a dance club. And the way the security works, it makes me wonder sometimes. The people who run it are rather nonchalant about acoustics, entrance, and other factors. The shows though often go on very late, and it's right off Hennepin Ave in Downtown Minneapolis.

I guess it's not the worst place to see a show, but also a bit unsettling knowing a band I want to see may play there.

33. Bryant Lake Bowl This is in some ways, a hipster venue, for the sake of being hipster. Although, I at times get past that, and have enjoyed seeing shows in their little intimate theater right next to the bowling alleys. The food for the most part is good there, and the shows they have wait staff that'll allow you to buy dinner. In a way, it's almost like a blue collar version of The Dakota in that sense.

The negatives I suppose are its crowd and the area. It frequently gets crowded,so much so, getting a table to eat or bowl can take awhile. And shows usually go late. I have found it to be a spot to go to when time is not a factor and/or I don't necessarily have to wake up for work the next day.

The bowling itself I enjoy more than at a place like Memory Lanes for example. Also the fact retro video game spot "Rusty Quarters" opened up nearby is a plus, save for the fact like Bryant, that place seems to get crowded pretty easily during the evening.

I have seen The Bewitched there and Jenny Dalton from memory, and I think for performances, it works well, even when it's crowded. The walls are more soundproofed than 1st Ave/The Entry from memory. And to see Cabaret or performance art there seems fitting. But I suppose given some of the other factors and how infrequently I've gone there, it ends up more middle of the road. Although there are events there often, I just don't find myself demanding to go to them. If I had more evenings available, I probably would consider going there more. If I lived closer as well, as I once dated someone who was and it seemed rather convenient (almost like it could become addictive).

34. Tarnish & Gold Cool little art gallery in Northeast Minneapolis. A bit like The Baroque Room, but primarily used for showing art. I guess if they had more concerts, or I found reason to go there more often, I'd endorse this place more. I think what they're doing is cool. The sound wasn't amazing though, at least for Metal, the 1 show I saw there.

35. State Theatre Very annoying security, the mix of the sound for nearly every Dream Theater concert I've seen there has been frankly, awful. Heavy Rock and Metal doesn't work at this place, but people probably will never follow that. I suppose I'd rather go there instead of Station 4, but that's not saying a lot. The Merch is usually spendy. Most of show, you get ushers having to walk people down to their seats in the dark.

And even Rock Bottom Brewery has become a huge ripoff ($35 for 2 appetizers and 2 drinks, lol).

The suppose best thing I can say about it is, they do often book good bands including some prog who are big enough. I have met many bands afterwards near where there bus is. And I have found a spot to be able to hear some of the shows outside, which is not a terrible last resort if I don't manage to get a ticket.

36. Memory Lanes I've seen a few shows at this place, along with some Burlesque performances, and have definitely enjoyed those overall. But, they were not without issues at the same time. For one, people end up bowling on the sides while the performance in the middle lanes are taking place. I guess if this place likes to allow people to do that fine, but it ends up distracting those who are interested in the music or performer only. Also the fact the bowling is a bit pricey from what I recall, compared to other bowling alleys. And the seating, while not terrible, seems to be a little bit a race to get spots in the middle. If you don't get there and sit down early enough, you may end up way down the sides. The food is hit and miss, although at least there almost is never a cover charge. But my girlfriend seems to enjoy the food a little more than myself. The shows do happen to go late, which in some ways can get depressing, but I've come to assume that is the case. Things happen late in the Seward area anyway, but also a reason why I try and avoid events down there if possible.

37. Dunn Bros (St.Paul) Probably the best Dunn Brothers, and maybe the 1st? I don't see shows at cafe's too often, but once in a blue moon, they are nice enough. And I've ended up at this location a few times more than some others in recent times. At least it's not typically too crowded and allows for a stop at Cheapo if time works out, namely on a weekend evening.

38. Minnesota State Fair Including the free stages and the Grandstand, the outdoor shows they have are not bad. Although the Grandstand shows have been spendy, Micky Dolenz/Happy Together tour was affordable thankfully. The crowds are a bit repulsive, often chatting during shows, smoking and not typically my demographic.

The Fair itself is at best a-work-in-progress for my girlfriend and I, but live music has helped motivate me to go back there. I just find going to the fair and seeing a concert is a bit draining.

Not to forget tickets for concerts there, do not include tickets to actually get in to the Fair.

Not the worse location to see live music, namely outdoors, but The Minnesota Zoo is definitely better for multiple reasons. Maybe 1st and foremost, the lack of a mob that happens at the fair.

38. Gingkos I was ending up at this place a fair amount like 10 years ago. Within the last few years, not so much. There's something rather retro about it, almost like a Cafe version of a Thrift Store (the old board games on the shelves?), although I suppose I could go to a place like the Chatterbox (or Hard Times Cafe, or Bad Waitress) instead. The Black Sea is just down the block, which I could go to for dinner once a week or more. But given how infrequently I've gone to this place in recent years, it doesn't find its way higher on this list. I heard Dean Magraw did a show a few months ago where they charged pretty high rates for tickets. I'm not sure if that would have happened 10 years ago.

Not a terrible spot for a coffee house show, but not the most desirable in general.

39. Minnesota Music Cafe I only have been to this place once, and it was rather loud. Kind of a blues-bar venue. I get the sense they only book certain local acts that have a draw, and get regulars every week. Almost like The Cabooze of St.Paul. If it wasn't for the fact the area is kind of shady, it might not be at The Cabooze's level. But I just haven't ended up there. Dean's name/guitar isn't even on the wall there. The 1 show I saw was okay, so for that reason, the jury is a little bit out. But it's kind of an afterthought for me still.

40. Roy Wilkins Auditorium I saw The Mars Volta there and the acoustics were plain awful. It is like a Gym. Actually, I'm not sure why this is as high as it is actually. This is 1 of the worst venues to see music, at least when I last went back in 2005?. It's almost the polar opposite of the X.

41. Myth Corporate. The fact they are in Maplewood and book some classic rock bands is about the only good thing about this place. They had Between the Buried and Me selling short sleave t-shirts for $50, lol. 50 fucking dollars. Also the last time I was there, the security made me check my sharpies (and some other things in my pockets).

The Marilyn Manson show with Ours wasn't incredibly memorable. Progressive Nation in 2008 wasn't bad, but that may be 1 of the only shows I saw there I really loved. They don't have much if any seating. Only on the sides. If you lean against the rails, the security may tell you, you can't.


42. 400 Bar This place gets bands I like, and tickets are usually not spendy. However, they have serious issues with heat or lack of Air Conditioning, that they have to rank this low. I guess other than that big factor, I haven't had many, if any, negative experiences there. I just can't say I would prefer going there compared to a number of other clubs of its kind. Although I'd probably still take it over The Entry for what that's worth.

Sauna's lose for me. But if they, like Station 4, could ever get their AC working/have AC, my feelings about it probably would go up. The people who work there seem cool for the most part. The recent redesign with the wall from the stage area, I'm not sure how much  has actually helped. The sound is hit and miss. The last Ours show was there; I wasn't thrilled with the sound, but I've seen many other shows where the sound seemed pretty good.

I guess it is a place with some history, and such as a place like The Uptown Bar, it would be sad to see it go, but at the same time, the West Bank, especially on weekend evenings, is an area I try and avoid.So, its location is another reason  why I'm not as high on it. But beggars can't be choosers, and if bands like Judgement Day, Annuals and Ours end up there, I'm not going to skip it unless there's a better alternative despite its issues.

43. 7th Street Entry The shows frequently have to have 4 or 5 bands, and go late. It's hot at times in there.It feels like a shack. I will not deny though, School of Seven Bells in 2009 was an amazing show, and I have seen some others like Ramona Falls, St. Vincent, Black Mountain, 3,  Unexpect (even as awkward as a Metal show is at any First Ave venue).

But the lack of sound proofed walls., limited seating, has made this place almost boycott-able for me. I mean yeah, I did see some great shows there, but the cons outweigh the pros so much and in a handful of ways, I just loathe going down there at times. Like the Main Room, if it were moved to different area and some other things changed i.e. it were more like The Turf Club, I'd have much more positive feelings about this place.

That being said, if a band I totally love like Ours, Foals or Oceansize, etc were there, I'd go of course. But if there's a conflict or I'm on the fence about the act in some way, the fact it's there certainly factors in to my decision (Biffy Clyro a few years ago is 1 example).

44. The Rock Night Club This is included only by default as they are now officially not a national touring act venue. In fact the name is different now I think. Which overall I'm not happy about given they did book some bands I liked such as Fair to Midland, Karniivool and King's X. And they were an alternative to Station 4, for Metal. And the fact it is located in Maplewood I can't deny helps.

But on the flip-side, shows would always go late there, the Maplewood cops have quotas to fill, and that area seems to be filled with them. The sound is/was spotty at best. The patio area was always filled with smokers, which isn't unusual, but I often went out there to chat with friends, even bands, and that at times made me want to go back in.

I dunno, this place for what it is was, the issues weren't so bad, but I guess I never loved this place for live music.But given Station 4 being the only place for Metal now, I do kind of miss it and wish it was still around.

45. Target Center Blech. I've seen Rush a few times there (4 I recall), Kansas, Sting, Queensryche, Yes/Dream Theater. It is the typical Arena venue, with some seating not lending to be all that great for music, and acoustics that are extremely hollow. The most recent Rush show I reviewed last month re-emphasized its issues, now with whoever was mixing that show having the bass vastly higher than everything else. Thus, the string section was not audible.

Tickets are of course corporate level, and merch as well.

I honestly can't say much else good about it, other than I have had luck finding my way into shows at affordable rates thankfully. And I suppose seeing a show there is better than at some of the other places below it on this list, but I'm not sure what that's worth or if it makes sense.

If dredg (or even like Local Natives) ever got Arena-worthy (which I'd be shocked if they did), I sincerely hope they never end up playing here. The X is so much better in every way. Why Muse doesn't end up there instead is baffling.

46. The Hexagon Bar/The Blue Nile Both of these venues I only went to once I recall, and found them pretty forgettable. The Seward area is a pretty forgettable area overall for live music. I guess some bands I like have played Hexagon like Brice Plays Drums and Brute Heart, but until I end up there to see them, my feelings are going to remain nondescript. The Blue Nile has some ethnic music I guess, but my feeling is to try and see those kinds of shows at The Cedar or 1 of the libraries if possible instead. At least those performances won't go on until the middle of the night. 

47. Epic (formerly The Quest/Glam Slam) Absolutely awful SITE LINES for live music. The Security there are obsessive as they forced me to check my laptop bag. The Sound wasn't great, but admittedly, when I saw Gotye (pronounced GORE-TI-YEAH by the way) and Kimbra, given the demand for tickets, they did the best they could. But I don't think I desire to ever see a show there anytime soon. It's a DANCE CLUB, even more now more than before the fire. The Ascot Room was the real music venue there, but as far as I know, that place is RIP now.

48. The Dakota 10 years ago when it was in St.Paul, this would have been maybe #2 or #3. The move to downtown Minneapolis has totally ruined this place. When they were in St.Paul at Bandana Square it was intimate, sometimes you could come in just for dinner and the show was free. The French Fries were maybe the best in the state. And the ticket prices were for the most part reasonable. Now? the site lines aren't perfect, the fries to me taste like they were store-bought and thawed-out from being frozen. When you sit down, the wait staff almost presume you're not only there to see live music, but also at least to drink, if not dinner as well, which with entrees, tax & tip, can run easily $50 or more. The ticket prices are definitely higher (honestly A LOT higher. How much was Pat Metheny back in September, $150? lol).

They even seem to have some of their employees suspicious of you not having tickets, as in at the Jon Anderson show a few months ago, I didn't have a ticket but hung around outside as I have done before. A friend of mine had an extra more than half way through the show, and was nice enough to allow me to use it. Within 15 minutes of sitting down, I was approached by 1 of their employees if I had a ticket. I told them I was with the party I was sitting with, as my friend vouched for me. Almost like they were profiling me as someone else.

To add to that, the guy who was so cool in running the Bandana square location, I guess is barely involved (if at all), in many of the operations. And it's pretty obvious when they start booking acts like Keri Noble and non-Jazz artists, it is not exactly the "Jazz Club" it seemed to be. A bit like The Cedar (or movie theaters like Lagoon I suppose in a way), they seem to be doing things different, almost purely to keep their business afloat. Which I suppose I understand in some ways, but ultimately, it still saddens me and gives me a "how the mighty have fallen" impression.

But at least there still is The Artist Quarter among other spots for Jazz in town.

49. Station 4 The 1 Metal venue in Minnesota. Originally it was called The "4th Street Station." And then "The Lab." But the name is secondary to why it places this low.

Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning. They don't have any, and who knows if/when they ever will get some. That and the sound at times is not very good as the vocals can get drowned out easily. It's a bit of a shack at times, both in the bar area and of course the main performance area. The poles, while I understand why they are there, are a little distracting. The stage is compressed.

I suppose I would not be giving them some credit for things like booking a lot of bands I like, which the list is long. dredg, Fates Warning, 3, Behemoth (1 of the best Metal performances I've ever seen), Cynic..to bands like Cavil at Rest, Kaddisfly, The Dear Hunter, and Fair to Midland of course. And it is at least in St.Paul which is preferred.

But I've kind of been Station 4-ed out, so much so, if I'm on the fence about a show, their venue may factor in. If they redesigned the place, like putting the stage somewhere else where the poles didn't factor in in the sight lines, and of course they added AC, I might come back to accepting if not looking forward to going there. But for now, they are not going up too high on my desirable venue list, despite the fact they have become maybe the best, if not only venue, for a lot of my taste. Metal likes prog, of course. If the bands I love are heavy and/or obscure, the odds are they'll end up there, for better or for worse.

But then again, bands like Porcupine Tree and Agalloch also don't end up playing Minnesota anymore. Whether the promoters here suggest Station 4 or not, I find it a little interesting and fortunate in a way they don't. But I wish these bands would come, despite how I feel about our only Metal venue.

Maybe Ground Zero could become the Minneapolis alternative again? I saw King's X there in the late 90's and in some ways, Station 4 carries a similar element.

50. The Cabooze Bluesy Bar Rock venue, where the security kick you out right after a band is done.It's in the Seward area, near the West Bank. There is seating, but it often seems like a fight to acquire. The crowd often ends up with drunk idiots who find reason to bogart more space than they deserve. And the blues rock regulars (both bands, and customers) really don't go all that far for me.

They even loaded a drink far too high of a percentage of vodka for my girlfriend once, so much so, she was in peril if not for the Pizza Luce we got into her system soon after.

The sound isn't incredible either, at times the vocals get drowned out. The sight lines are limited, which may be partially by design as it's a bar and a nightclub.
The parking is often impossible to find, for any popular artist, I always end up near Augsburg or recently , in the lot I go to along Riverside. Which makes for a little bit of a trek.

And the crowd also is a bit like some of First Ave hipsters, in that they won't shut the fuck up be it talking to someone they are with, or on the phone (or texting?).

I guess the positives remain, they do get some bands I like (House of Fools for example and Brice Plays Drums recently), and you can find seating if you're early enough. Plus they're fine with laptops and using their Wifi.

Overall, I don't loathe this place maybe as much as it seems, but I've had a few too many negative experiences there to desire to go back on a regular basis. Kind of the opposite of its sister venue in The Triple Rock.

51. Big V's I only saw 1 show there, Deretla, a few years back, and didn't think much of it. It's kind of a shack, in that there's a little stage within a bar area with pool tables and some other things. In fairness, 1 show is hardly enough to fully compare, but I recall just thinking of not desiring to go back there if possible. Although I don't mind that area overall, given I like The Turf Club as much as I do. I just wonder what the point is to trying to see a show there in such a confined space.

haven't been to (among others):
Amsterdam Bar
Golden's
hell's Kitchen
The Ice House
Metrodome
Mill City Nights (formerly The Brick)
Nomad World Pub
Target Field
TCF Bank Stadium
331 Club
Whiskey Junction
Acadia Cafe (Cedar/Riverside)

Missing, mostly venues of the past:
The Dreamcoat Cafe (RIP)
Star Central
Ground Zero
Medina Ballroom
The Mirage
Sharky's
The Uptown Bar
The 318 (formerly the Bean and Wine Cafe)
J & S Bean Factory aka The Beanery
Coffee Grounds
Dunn Brothers (Apple Valley)
Anodyne Cafe
Famous Dave's (Uptown)
Art and All That Jazz Festival  in Burnsville
Roseville Parks
Washington Square Bar & Grill (White Bear Lake)
Trocaderos
Lexington Parks in St.Paul near Como golf course
Santorini's Tavern (Eden Prairie)
McKrackens (Burnsville)
O'Gara's
Cafe Maude
Rossi's (RIP)
Aster Cafe
The Red Sea
Palmer's
Riverview Cafe
Bunny's
Arcadia Cafe (Nicollet Ave) Mystic Lake Casino
The Lowry Theater (I saw Exit Stage Right, the Rush tribute band there. Really nice place actually

2012 Citypages "Picked to Click" (HAS PROG!!!!)

http://www.citypages.com/2012-10-17/music/picked-to-click-2012/

The winners of the 22nd Picked to Click poll:

1. The Chalice 83 points
2. Pony Trash 78 points
3. John Mark Nelson 71 points
3. Wiping Out Thousands 71 points
5. Heavy Deeds 63 points
6. Actual Wolf 58 points
7. Strange Names 39 points
8. Observer Drift 36 points
9. Prissy Clerks 34 points
10. Audio Perm 32 points

Hey Shittypages, thanks for getting in touch with me again to vote for this poll.

While I don't know any of these bands well, on the surface, I could name at least a few bands who deserve to at least get votes/points if not usurp some of these names. The only noteworthy name on there is Prissy Clerks, and not so much due to my interest in their music, but ex-Total Babe frontwoman Clara Sayler is a founder of that band. And I'm happy to see her at least get some recognition.

But the likes of Brice Plays Drums, The Royal Veil, Mike Linden, There Are No Words, The Bewitched, The Book of Right On, Media Addicts, Lehto & Wright, The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra,  etc ..I wasn't even able to vote. After I wasn't able to  last year as well, I EMAILED Citypages about doing it, and got NOTHING.

I mean maybe every August/September I need to frequent their website looking for Voting Forms? or maybe CALL them, because emailing them sure doesn't seem to work too well.

Hipsters, Blech.

Dear 89.3, Radio K and others..

I am a volunteer at KFAI, I know about pledge drives. But I guess I can't help but still raise the question when hearing your drives on the air.

How often do they play my favorite musician of all-time, Kevin Gilbert?
How often do they play my favorite band of all-time Marillion?
How often do they play one of my favorite bands of the last 5 years, The Dear Hunter?

The same might be asked of Citypages, The Electric Fetus, both the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press music sections, even Vita.mn to a lesser degree. Did Citypages include much about the upcoming Kimbra headlining show that is SOLD OUT at The Varsity Theater? no, not really. They found Mike Snow to be more significant of a concert to feature next Tuesday. Why? I'm not sure, but perhaps because he's playing at First Ave?

Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra @ First Ave 10/3/12

This is another one of those reviews, that should have been posted just after the concert ended, but I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night as I didn't get home until 1:30AM. I may never learn the lesson, but weeknight concerts that are 18+ or 21+ unless a nap or in-late-to-work-request is made prior, really are not a desirable circumstance.

But, as far as reviewing this somewhat largely anticipated concert.

An Estimation of the Set List 

(I believe there was at least 1 Dresden Dolls or another cover in here that I am not remembering right now, but if I find a set list I'll edit it in).


-Meow Meow Introduces The Grand Theft Orchestra  
-Smile (Pictures or It Didn't Happen)
-The Killing Type
-Want It Back
-Grown Man Cry
-Astronaut
-Trout Heart Replica
-A Grand Theft Intermission
-Lost
-Bottomfeeder (Amanda goes crowd surfing with a 20x20 Sheet?)
-The Bed Song?..(sometime around this time Amanda read off the depressing messages put in the Box that were then sampled and music played over)
-Berlin
-Careless Whisper including jam (Wham..also George Michael)
-Olly Olly Oxen Free

Encore

-Do It with a Rockstar
-Leeds United





First let me point out, I just scanned a review here from Citypages.com and they referred to the Wham/George Michael tune as "Never Want to Dance Again." While that is a line in the chorus, the song is called "Careless Whisper" and not "Never Want to Dance Again." I myself didn't even know that, but at least would be responsible enough to mention that, or more likely just do a web search.

Is it really so hard to do? That is now the 2ND time in the last 6 months a reviewer on their blog had to be corrected about a fact (the Mayer Hawthorne guitarist's name back in May). Which brings me to ask the question, how do people like that get to positions where they can review (and maybe even be paid?..likely at least free tickets and perhaps backstage passes), and someone like myself receives very little to no recognition? I emailed Citypages more than once about writing for them, but obviously this blog does nothing for them. Blech.

This show was pretty LOUD and crazy at times. Amanda's TGTO or 3-piece backing band was rather tight. Although I suspect it was the people who did the mix last night who are responsible for the drums and guitar being at times too high to hear Amanda sing. At the same time, her vocals had a fair amount of reverb and distorted tone to them anyway, so that could have just been her too.

The extra chamber musicians from both local, and from some of the opening acts like Ronald Reagan, did add a lot to hearing many of these tunes live. Although at times the mix issues made them a bit difficult to hear clearly. As well, Amanda didn't have them on stage for every tune, namely a song like "Astronaut" if I recall, wondering why the string section was not included, given there are string parts in the song anyway..

Around the 4th or 5th song of Amanda's set, I want to say soon after "Want it Back," this act (DJ?) named Konkrete Jungle started spinning some heavy-bass based music in First Ave's "The Record Room," which especially given I was sitting on the Upper Level about 200 Feet in front of the Door, it became disgustingly apparent how distracting their music would become.

People kept going in and out of The Record Room to use the Restroom or for other reasons, and the bass especially was vibrating louder than Amanda's bass guitarist.

And by no coincidence it seems, this was the 2nd straight concert where Amanda played in the Main Room and another musical act in 1 of First Ave's bordering-walls was going on at the same time, and impossible to ignore.

As I recall thinking and probably writing back in 2008, when some hip-hop group could be heard in The Entry when she was playing, especially the quieter parts and just talking to the crowd; First Ave apparently does not SOUND PROOF their walls. Why this is? maybe cost or just lack of complaints?

It's shit like that, among a few other factors like the Hipster environment, failure to book certain bands, and booking Metal and cross promoting Hipfork Media music to the Metal crowd; that prevent that place from even coming close to living up to the reputation it receives. I have come around a bit with it, but last night's distraction from Konkrete Jungle (who may be great at what they do, but that doesn't matter when they end up hijacking my and I'm sure many others concert experience to a point) , in The Record Room just soured my feeling somewhat about First Ave again.

I suppose the key is to look at both The Record Room and The Entry's schedule and consider skipping a show if there's a chance another act may perform simultaneously. Especially if it's a show that I'm on the fence about anyway, on a weekend evening, there's another event to see instead, or just the price of tickets (or going down to find someone selling an extra).

Amanda herself even mentioned it on stage, if there were more time, a large group of fans with her should consider storming in there to try and get the attention of the group performing about how distracting their music is for her, while she was trying to tell a story and read off those depressing experiences from the box.

Putting the mix, arrangements and The Record Room distraction aside, this was a rather wild and chaotic show; probably more so than the show in 2008. Although less theatrical, than that last show was. I just got the sense given it was the "last show" of this tour as they said, Amanda and TGTO along with the musicians from the opening acts, wanted to go out with a bang.

They played more or less every tune I would have wanted off Theatre is Evil save for "Massachusetts Avenue" and "Melody Dean." I suppose some of the Kickstarter Bonus tracks like"Ukele Anthem" and "Provanity" as well would have been nice; but beggars can't be choosers of course and given they played almost the entire record plus a few others and the Wham/George Michael cover, the set list was fulfilling enough.

The pictures and videos even added more. And the pictures, I may me mixing up with something else like for the massive $50 BOOK that the Kickstarter campaign helped fund, I recall Amanda sending out something requesting the Kickstarter backers send in Photos or Videos of themselves? Maybe they were used for something else, but part of me wondered if some of the photos used in the background on the screens were from those Backers, and I wished I had sent one in.

One other thing I am still forgetting or thrown off by is, while this was the last show of THIS LEG of the American Tour, last time I checked, she goes to Europe in a couple of weeks, and then is back in the States doing more shows in November. Unless some of her tour was canceled?

The extra jams and things, along with thank you's I believe also came out last night due to the fact her husband Neil Gaiman was there (I don't think he was at many if any of the other shows thus far), given he lives in nearby Menomonie, Wisconsin. He even did a storytelling of sorts as 1 of the opening acts, telling his "Origin" of sorts about how he became a "writer" in some ways perhaps. I did find some of his story funny, although at times a bit over-the-top with the lude and sexual humor. I do think seeing him talk, I follow more now why Amanda and him are a couple. They do share many elements of being overtly honest, sexual and profane.

I should probably add, all of the opening acts, from Jherek Bischoff stuff including the Chamber pieces, to Chad Raines whose group The Simple Pleasure with their almost David Bowie-meets-Boy George Glam Rock, to Ronald Reagan "Boston's Premiere 80's Pop Saxophone Duo" all were entertaining, and artists I likely will seek out. I did even pick up a copy of Ronald Reagan's new EP which includes "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (Cyndi Lauper) "Take on Me" (A-ha), "We Built This City" (Starship), "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Bonnie Tyler) and "Beat It" (Michael Jackson) among others, which they played live.