Hüsker Dü Interview, The Channel in Boston Mass 1985

[@TemakiTom]

GREAT example of a band that knows how to grow, rather than homogenize. I dig their early stuff, and I'm into hardcore stuff, but these are three fellas that know how music should evolve. And this is why they're one of the greatest bands of all time. Among many other reasons.

[@citronius9388]

*Perfect example

[@BOSIE321]

BTW i cant help but feel so that Hart is underrated by a lot of people. Most seem to see Bob as the better musician, but i'm really drawn to songs like 'She floated away' 'The girl who lived on heaven hill' and 'pink turns to blue'

[@juliusnicholson1509]

Don't want to know if you are lonely, Green Eyes, Diane. WHo can forget Diane?

[@slaydesaid8741]

@@juliusnicholson1509 Tell You Why Tomorrow

[@kaijuking333]

BOSIE321 bob may be better known and possibly a better musician/guitarist, but grant is obviously the better songwriter (look at who wrote the most famous dü songs)

[@CaptainReedo40]

During the live show throughout the late 1990's, Bob used to just shout in the same three notes (probably because he had too many tour dates too close together and his voice was shot) but every time I saw Grant during that same interval, in much smaller venues sadly, Grant's voice soared and was remarkable. They guy was often a mess and looked like he didn't have two nickels to rub together but in his prime he had an incredible voice and could still hit the high notes in "Evergreen Memorial Drive" and "2541." He would start low and almost in a stage whisper and then end up emotionally singing the daylights out of his solo material, whether there were just 20-30 people say at "The M.E." in Central Square or whatever the venue. He was a real talent, Grant was, and never got the recognition he might have for his singing voice.

[@conor3000]

True Dat. Grant Hart was an equal talent. Love bob mould but huskers were magical. Surprising they latest as long as they did.

[@briteness]

Interesting to watch. It brings back that mid 80s cultural moment, when scene kids really did resent them for rising above the hardcore dead-end. Now those post-punk politics are long forgotten, but Husker Du's records are holding up rather well.

[@mjscott65]

lucky I saw them play in London in 87...we didn't know it was the last tour

[@dner75-xh9le]

Greg Norton was the smart one in the band. He kept quiet while one talked himself into hubris and the other talked himself into absurdity.

[@KinchStalker]

Mould gets indie points for being Mould.

[@ericcampbell6370]

In his autobiography, Bob complained of having to accommodate Grant's songs, but they were equals in my opinion and it was the combination of both writers that made it so incredible. I just wish that they could have appreciated what they had while they still had it.

[@phillipford2216]

I just got to the part where Bob talks about how they'd respect each other's privacy in the van, how they needed to be on their own for sanity's sake, in a way. I thought that was telling, they were reserved quiet individuals who perhaps weren't cut out to collaborate forever, which is probably true of a lot of bands.

[@mike196212]

I read it too,but I don't recall Mould being that upset at having to accommodate Hart's songs. Not disagreeing with you; I just don't recall this that much. The combination of writers was crucial,you're right,to the band's greatness.

[@briansmith9455]

There isn't even one single member of a writing partnership that is better alone. Want to know why? Everyone needs a filter. Even Bob Mould and Grant Hart. Someone you trust shaking their head saying "that part is kinda....eh...." God darn that's valuable!

[@briansmith9455]

*damn

[@KeithWeaver567]

Butthole Surfers for one. But Bob does name an amazing list of bands.... Amazing, thank you for posting!

[@seamusfox7251]

God you can feel the tension -- and digs between each other. Kinda sad ... too bad

[@ghostmomparasiempre]

Mould definitely gets indie points for liking Butthole Surfers in '85.

[@mikedixon8830]

Went to this show. Rash of Stabbings opened up.

[@annexsie]

No shoes!! When I saw hd at ritz in nyc 1984 grant was outside on sidewalk barefoot chatting with crowd. I think he may have played barefoot too.

[@LG-lp7cl]

Wow. They already really, REALLY hate each other by this point.

[@skinnywizardofironmeadow4430]

what do you mean?

[@georgeredhawk1996]

They are pretty funny , even if they hate each other. That was funny bout quiting the band in the morning but the other guys missed it. "Well, just watch !!!"

[@AppleOno]

They didn't hate each other at this point, according to Bob, they were happiest and on the same page during the Flip Your Wig era. Moving to a big label and getting attention was the beginning of the end of this band (and the underground in general)

[@johnnybravo5726]

6:52 great advice from bob and grant at the end there

[@nukecat]

grant likes to be in touch with the earth

[@neurochunk]

Bob's thinking "oh no, he wants to shake hands".

[@Leeperryvery]

i love this fuckin band man!

[@nukecat]

he does or he did at one time phenomenal man and artist i had the honor of being graced by his greatness hung out with him for a few days awesome and a gentleman as always

[@Bends95]

Nice interview

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

How did you start?...wha..how did we...huh um wha? Thank God communication skills aren't a requirement for turning out some of the best punk of the 80's. On the other side of the body of water, known as the Fort Point Channel, stands the General Mail Facility of Boston. The GMF is in the heart of the city and next to Amtrak's South Station. GMF Boston, lovingly refered to as the fucking Post Office, was my place of employment from 1984 to 94

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

And as you can see, a stones throw and a 10 minute walk to "The Channel". The Channell was probably THE best nightclub in the city.When I say best, i'm talking about the musical acts. On the down side, the place was infamously staffed with some of the angriest "roid raged" bouncers.If you wanted a beating, get drunk and throw some attitude at the nearest animal, and house odds, you were going down.Wait, no odds , it was a sure thing....anyway....On a side note...They did staff some of the best bartenders in Boston,,, expeditiously heavy handed, you got a good fucking drink.Well, good until your drunk ass mouthed off to Cro-Magnum man. But they could be bought....Go to the head....set up a few lines....leave one for the bouncer.....psssst...buddy...pssst...all yours...This is what I have heard...I have never done drugs.....{{{wink wink}}}

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

Now....on to the music...I spent most of my late teens, and early adult life frequenting the Channel...I spent my 18th birthday nite here....My 21st and probably most of my friends bdays here. On the night before I got married, I was here, trying to drown out reality and listening to the Allman Brothers.{ it might have been just Gregg or Dcikey..or one of the many incarnations}...I saw Roy Orbison on which turned out to be his last Friday nite of his life.....and many nights when i thought it was my last night

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

The Channel was also involved with the local radio stations.. BCN..NFX ,...so many promotions,,,free show ..free lunch time shows...on and on...the list goes.....Besides "How much is one stamp?" "Who's at the Channel tonight?" was the question heard the most number of times during a day at the PO ..This iconic little shithole (well...medium...1700 cap) was at the forefront of Boston,s music scene and provided me with some of the best memories and moments of my life.

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

I should just write a book....this is gonna go on

[@nukecat]

well said

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

If the beginning of the interview didn't turn out to be the truth...😢

[@kimberlysimpson3206]

Interesting!

[@mantaszmenskis5619]

The Channel is a paakin lot now. The channel water is still there.

[@DavidFregoli]

5:35 is my bible

[@radted411]

Man...the whole "friendship/quitting the band" talk is pretty prolific. Don't you think?

[@SteveSiqin]

Mould gets indie points for being Bob Mould but he loses them for songs like "I'm Sorry Baby" and most of his solo output post "Last Dog and Pony Show" excepting the most recent album. There are a lot of good songs and hooks but a whole lot of stuff that doesn't quite achieve.

[@PurzelPadauZ]

Do you feel stupid now?

[@stephenthompson5963]

@@PurzelPadauZ not particularly

[@PurzelPadauZ]

@@stephenthompson5963 I just wanted to say he released 4 amazing albums in the last 7 years so your criticism is pretty obsolete now, no offense.

[@georgeward3190]

What bands did they name drop?

[@IStehSHIT]

Hüsker Dü

[@NovaFeedback1979]

Volcano Suns, Sorry, Bust a Statue, Mission of Burma, Articles of Faith, Soul Asylum, Ground Zero, Riflesport, Man Sized Action, Otto's Chemical Lounge, Big Boys, Butthole Surfers, NOTA, Tar Babies, Die Kreuzen.

[@tracehazarrrrd]

music used to be discussed like it was serious, now it's just "how can we make money the fastest?". music of today? total fail. I still try to find new stuff, like Grimes is really cool and maybe I'll check out tame impala, and I'm a huge deerhunter fan, but man. I mean, music used to connect us ALL. can't even have a serious discussion about music without feeling embarrassed for the other person. how do you not know who stevie wonder is? Z:

[@danidubdub]

Funny how the sexuality of Husker Du seems to be an issue of interest these days. Back then 'straight' meant non-punk rock. They were just a great band with great songs and a whole heap of personal issues with each other. Are they really now considered a 'gay band' (whatever that is)? What a shame. They were never a band to stay in any ghetto.

[@garagepunkfan]

+danidubdub i think for the original generation of fans (me included), there is no gay issue. Bob stated in old interviews when he first came out how in the band and afterwards he strove to write songs that spoke to the universality of relationships and i believe he did that well. from the get-go, i always found their material as a whole imminently relate-able being a straight man. i would suppose, to millennial internet trolls or to people who need to project their after-the-fact knowledge of Bob and Grant's sexuality into their view of the band's musical legacy for reasons of personal vindication then i suppose it does matter. not to me

[@AK99581]

Mould and Hart being gay was not really common knowledge during Hüsker Dü's heyday in the 80s. It wasn't until the mid 90s that it became widely known. So now that everyone knows that 2/3 of the band were gay, I guess maybe perception of the band is a little different than it would be if all the members were straight.

[@misterjingles666]

kinda lame how he says writing political music is stupid haha.

[@garagepunkfan]

+Kaleb Button Bob does not say that, he basically states that people who force an opinion on you (the hardcore punks of that time period) or people who give you an opinion in an easily digestible gift-wrapped box, political or otherwise, is a bunch of crap. he would rather plant an idea and let someone think about it and formulate their own nuanced opinion. Bob is plenty political. he just doesn't beat people over the head with it.

[@alabastersmidge4692]

Kaleb Button I disagree,Kaleb.