Holy ghosts and talk show hosts are planted in the sand

I really need to keep up with this blog - with tons to write about and as much free time this summer as I'm likely to have until next year, one post a month isn't going to cut it. I'll just have to make this one exceptionally long. Anyway, a couple weeks ago I saw another pair of fantastic shows at the 7th St. Entry. The first, and most anticipated, was Sunset Rubdown. Their new album, Dragonslayer, is getting a great deal of well-deserved praise (along with a bit of unsettling obsession with frontman Spencer Krug). It is a tighter and more rockin' (and indeed, fabulous) follow-up to their 2007 all-time-greatest album Random Spirit Lover. Their live show did not disappoint either, with Spencer demonstrating that he is not only a brilliant songwriter but also one of the most gracious. The most pleasantly surprising aspect of the show, however, was the display of talent from the rest of the band members - Camilla Wynne Ingr, Jordan Robson-Cramer, Michael Doerksen, and Mark Nicol, the last three rotating effortlessly between bass, guitar, and drums throughout the set. Can't wait to see them again.

Sunset Rubdown - Idiot Heart
Sunset Rubdown - You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
from Dragonslayer

Sunset Rubdown - The Taming of the Hands That Came Back To Life
from Random Spirit Lover


Later in the week I attended the Meat Puppets show - a 25 year anniversary of their first performance at the Entry. The band is touring in support of their new album Sewn Together (which is good, but not great), but played a number of classic songs including "Plateau," "Oh Me," "Up On The Sun," and "Comin' Down." Unfortunately, the band did not go on until 11:30 and I had my French exam in the morning, so I had to leave after about 45 minutes of their set. Nevertheless, the aging Kirkwood brothers and new drummer Ted Marcus displayed an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm.

Meat Puppets - Go To Your Head
from Sewn Together

Meat Puppets - Up On The Sun
from Up On The Sun

Meat Puppets - Plateau
from II


While the Meat Puppets were great, I was truly blown away by Duluth-based openers Retribution Gospel Choir, which consists of two members of the band Low. While Low is known for their slow, quiet, stripped down music and beautiful husband-wife harmonies, the Alan Sparhawk-led Retribution Gospel Choir was loud, explosive, and full of life. I was definitely skeptical as the band took the stage dressed in matching shirts and ties, but was converted into a dedicated fan within three seconds of their opening song "Breaker," originally appearing on Low's fantastic album Drums and Guns. Their self-titled, full length debut is highly recommended, but can only capture a fraction of energy present in their live show. So make sure to go see them if you get the chance.

Retribution Gospel Choir - Breaker
Retribution Gospel Choir - What She Turned Into
from Retribution Gospel Choir