Hüsker Dü: Where Were They Then? (1999)

Feature that aired Sep 1999, bringing viewers up to date on the then-current activities of ex-Hüskers Greg Norton, Grant Hart, and Bob Mould.

[@SrSacaninha]

Wow, Greg always had the mustache of a chef. I can easily picture him trowing pizzas up in the air.

[@onegathers]

Best American band of the 80's, and awesome live. Nirvana owed them a huge debt, so do most alt-rock bands to be fair. I met them twice: Bob was explosive and moody, Grant was manic and Greg sat down with us backstage in Manchester, gave us smokes and wanted to know about our lives and we talked about music (when 'Harmony in my head' by The Buzzcocks came on over the speaker he agreed with me that it was one of the greatest ever written). A brilliant human being.

[@emfraridades7261]

Nah, bands don't OWN debts to other banda. Yes, bands who open doors must be praised, but that's a lot of lucky and other people involved.

[@samyandkitty8399]

Agree with u I met them after the Newcastle riverside gig awesome guys and every alt rock indie band is trying to write a song better than don’t wanna know

[@diesel0man]

@@samyandkitty8399 very high setting to reach, specialy in perorming

[@timpanic]

RIP Grant Hart

[@Crossbow0106]

Anyone who ever saw the band live (I did 5 times) knows Greg was a solid bass player. The R & R Hall Of Fame should have a special wing for Husker Du, the Replacements, Soul Asylum etc, their music have influenced so many bands. Still love Husker Du's music. Great stuff.

[@mantislake4141]

Who have the Replacements and Soul Asylum influenced other than musicians who wanted to bang Winona Ryder?

[@emfraridades7261]

@@mantislake4141 If you think The Replacements didn't influenced other bands you're ignorant, with no offense

[@mantislake4141]

@@emfraridades7261 - none taken. I asked *because* I'm ignorant. Despite my poor wording, the question was primarily about Soul Asylum, whose tunes I've never found even slightly redeeming.

[@davide0o.o0o06]

Fuck the R & R hall of fame, it doesn't mean anything anyways

[@damnvoid6603]

thank you for recognizing the immutable fact that the OG "alternative/college" rock holy trinity of the twin cities was, in fact, Hüsker Dü, the Replacements, and Soul Asylum.

[@henrydrake8463]

"The _______ only fueled growing tensions within the group." I wonder how many times that phrase gets used when describing now defunct bands?

[@stuartevans8243]

Why is all the background music anything but Husker Du???

[@emfraridades7261]

They do play Husker Du songs, but only a few secs. It costs a lot

[@drunkvegangal8089]

One of my all time faves and I still have the vinyl. BTW - Norton's mustache is sublime!

[@oppositecar]

The "Swedish" thing is a common misconception. "Husker du" (no umlauts) means "do you remember" in Norwegian and Danish. The board game featured macrons over the 'u's as a pronunciation guide, which may have been the inspiration for the heavy-metal umlauts.

[@scottlebrun6782]

In 1994 he formed a new band, Nova Mob. Uhhh no, he formed Nova Mob in 1989 and the song playing there is from '91.

[@JMoran14]

@NORDSTRAND83 The Greg Norton moustache came about when Husker Du and Black Flag were touring together. The band didn't have the money to buy razors and Norton's facial hair kept getting in his mouth. Black Flag bassist Chuck Dukowski suggested he curl it up. He liked it so much he kept it that way.

[@jeffreychasefriedman]

Now we won't be getting that reunion now that Grant's gone. :(

[@briansmith9455]

well just replace him with dean ween and were good to go!

[@MrJadePinwheel]

@@briansmith9455 Dean can't drum like that

[@damnvoid6603]

honestly, though, we never were going to get that....

[@talesfromtheshift528]

Best show I ever saw. NO ONE ever came close.

[@louiso.4325]

"Grant also likes to collect...stuff" lmfao

[@gerardaven]

Smiths and Husker Du, best bands in the 80's no doubt

[@TrazomTrakOg]

A full reunion concert would be so great..

[@anthonymoroneygodzil]

Did anyone else laugh when Grant couldn't get back out of his Studabaker?

[@16voyeur]

Yep.

[@anthonymoroneygodzil]

Comedy genius, right?

[@archimedesnation]

I just love greg norton's stache :;)

[@DarkRequiem]

That's Grant Hart sitting with Greg Norton in the restaurant, isn't it? I had thought no one in the band talked to anyone anymore. I wonder if Bob Mould and Greg are still friends.

[@CheckerOfReality]

Cate Yu -- the song from 2:40 is "Stars" by Dubstar. Better late than never?

[@ccbayer]

1:49 Grant Hart is really struggling to keep up with the gig analogy

[@jeffreyhunt1727]

That's Greg Norton

[@zacharymontoto9646]

Jeffrey Hunt look at the guy who’s right next to Greg Horton

[@richalderson6069]

Something about these guys doesn't really say "poised for stardom", but they were definitely a great band regardless.

[@incubrian]

wait. this was actually on tv?! vh1 had cool shit like this actually on air?!

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

...still missing you, Grant! (sniff-sniff) :'(

[@Nummymuffincocobutter]

Greg Norton kind of reminds me of D-Day from Animal House....

[@dla161803]

3:12 Wait, is that actually how you say Bob's last name? "Moold?" I've been saying it like "mold."

[@JoeyArmstrong2800]

Gotta say with a Minnesota accent, so ya its moold.

[@johnnyscifi]

Grant heart...I don read into their personal lives, so I'll just leave it at that. However, musically, he's my favourite member of Hüsker Dú

[@scottlebrun6782]

Me too.... he brought the emotional side

[@CantStopScreaming]

I like them both, but I like Bob better when he's loud and angry, and I like Grant no matter what the style.

[@kryptichands968]

@@CantStopScreaming Agree, love land speed record, and zen arcade

[@JCHaywire]

Given the buh-zillions of songs they could use--why U2? Hearing Greg use cooking as a metaphor for music is amusing. The guys look great. That Studebaker thing--c'mon, man.After just reading "See A Little [Editor]" by Mould, I can't help but see him as the bitterest of the trio. Still his current music is crisp and powerful, and his voice remains powerful. Why the bitterness and inability to loosen up have a laugh and occasionally knock out a Huskers tune with the boys? What good is that?

[@vistalite]

Sugar was a great band.

[@oppositecar]

In the video clip where he's wearing the cold-weather gear? That's "Admiral Of The Sea," from the 1992 Nova Mob album Last Days Of Pompeii.

[@marloh417]

I grew a handlebar mustache; I still have a handlebar mustache. As I wax it, “Terms Of Psychic Warfare” usually enters my head …especially that bass line.

[@oppositecar]

That one caught my eye too. Obviously a very early photo. I wonder where they dug it up.

[@thengoto20]

What was the first Husker Du song in this video?

[@godflesh1989]

Solo from Could You Be The One, after that Love Is All Around (Sonny Curtis cover).

[@gerardaven]

Grant likes to collect stuff.. lol

[@JamesADempsey]

Best show I ever saw.

[@danjay67]

I sit here and read these comments.... and wonder why.... why a clip on one of the most influential bands (along with the Replacements and even Soul Asylum) in music on the 90's until today..... in a period of some of the greatest music ever made..... and people here are worried about who was gay, or what Greg's mustache looked like. I was just old enough to get the experience in the mid-80's before it all fell apart...the sound in Seattle....started here. The music is what mattered.

[@klasse645]

@Shaytan67 I sneaked in backstage when they played in Stockholm june 3 1987. They were in pretty bad shape, but the gig was one of the best i´ve ever been to.

[@dimone]

Husker Du began in St. Paul, not Minneapolis.

[@GnomeChomsky9999]

Jim Fitzsimons Fuck St. Paul..

[@ichhasseamerika]

Chicago: what EVER.

[@ladylazarus1113]

does anyone know the song that starts at 2:40?

[@TheNatedogg56]

Why in the actual FUCK do they play Blues Traveler? I just died a little inside...

[@dude995]

Anyone know what song starts at 3:07?

[@windscar62]

what song was grant hart playing?

[@majordandotnet]

Easy to learn, fun to play.

[@rappitful]

What's the song in the first second, before could you be the one? Sounds like Big Country to me...

[@GreenDayDookieDemos]

In A Big Country by Big Country

[@sd42790]

I had almost forgotten that VH1 used to be legitimate.

[@plasticweapon]

ehhh, this isn't very legitimate...

[@jfrey1]

0:44 I wonder when that photo dates from. 80, 81?

[@rknprs]

what song is playing at 1;32? please help,,,,,,,,,it's driving me crazy

[@christopherkemp338]

Fire Escape - Fastball

[@rknprs]

thanks!!!!

[@dirty30jr]

@MrStonermetal Drive-by Truckers?

[@hammerjohnston]

@oppositecar it's in bob's new book: 1980, first official press photo

[@mwothe]

I wonder what kind of boomboxes they were playing through @ 3:48

[@kurtduvel4345]

By just listening to his voice, I could swear Greg was Tom Hanks.

[@mattisprettycool]

wow lamest music choices in the background.

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

The downside: A Hüsker Dü reunion is about as likely as pigs flying. The upside: The three members of the group did help calibrate on the creation of the official Hüsker Dü website, so at least they grew to be on better speaking terms with each other.

[@TryNSave]

I've always wondered which would be more likely -a Husker Du reunion, or a Creedence Clearwater Revival reunion. I don't guess either will happen, and it is definitely a plus that we have the possibility of seeing new remasters, film/TV licensing, official memorabilia, etc. from the Huskers. I don't know what people have to be bitter.

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

Cody Lester Pretty much..It would be cool to see them reunite, and play one last show, since their final show was a bit of a mess, but if there would still be high tensions from the past (like Bob and Grant fighting over how many of their songs each get put in the set list, ect), then it would still be a mess again.

[@niks7643]

Cody Lester Read Bob Mould's recent biography, and you'll see that there's no chance in hell they will ever reform and tour again. Grant and Bob played together once at a benefit show and it was a nightmare. There seems to be a lot of deep rooted animosity between them still after all these years, so I think there more to it than what Bob lets on in the book. I'm surprised to hear that they cooperated on the website since Bob has stated that he never has an interest in collaborating with Grant and Greg again. You'd think they'd move on after all these years but they just can't seem to get along.

[@librarianeric]

Good Lord - VH1 uses songs from U2 and Blues Traveller in a short bio of HUSKER DU?!?!?

[@Qolus]

Barrage of "guitars?" WTF

[@glenbellefonte9620]

Greg Norton has got to be the coolest fucker ever. Kinda funny hearin blues traveler while talking about a GOOD band

[@stephenroche5107]

POWERFUL.

[@gschaub9]

I like to believe Greg's had that handlebar since 3rd grade.

[@oppositecar]

It means "do you remember" in Danish and Norwegian (with no umlauts). It means nothing in Swedish.

[@damnvoid6603]

I watched Nova Mob break up in real time.

[@TheGoreand]

Land Speed Record is the best they ever recorded , and still kick me

[@TheHawkdaddy]

@shaxan With or Without you, although its not fitting here

[@ichhasseamerika]

God they were great. I didn't realize what we had then until I hear how s**t music is now, how youth culture is so completely dead. Rest in peace Grant Hart. By the way, I just noticed what a nice Midwestern accent Greg Norton has ;-)

[@GreenFlash1790]

Fantastic mustache.

[@mantislake4141]

The game the band took their name from is Danish, not Swedish.

[@ceevishus4130]

3 amazing guys

[@jackal59]

Why the fuck are they playing anything *but* Hüsker Dü in the background?

[@michaelh226]

Why are they playing shitty U2 in the background??

[@alinesanchezramirezbaruchi2658]

"Eu estava estudando e trabalhando" Tem toda a bancarização feita já Me avisou

[@alinesanchezramirezbaruchi2658]

Where were you?

[@alexdiablo6666]

song at 3.08 ?

[@trencher7]

diablo6666 Stupid Girl by Garbage

[@bordem4090]

lol, I think thats just generic vh1 music used as filler...

[@gamejunkiee1]

Not sure if you still care 7 years later, but the song is ‘Stupid Girl’ by the band Garbage (1995)

[@DannyMars37]

I love how all the background songs are the mainstream shitty drivel bands that Husker Du was countering against in the first place. Still a good video, but idiotic song choices.

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

They really should have kept it to Hüsker Dü songs, since that's who it was about.

[@elenchus]

they used what they had the rights to at that moment

[@randombro89]

elenchus So you’re telling me they couldn’t get the rights to use Hüsker du Songs when this segment is about them in the first place? What the fuck

[@mwothe]

3:55 those are some sweet boombox heads

[@travistrent4880]

Fuck Yeah Greg is a chef now.

[@MrStonermetal]

just regular guys who made great music for personal satisfaction, you wont find any band now that contains even 2 of those factors.

[@oppositecar]

@NORDSTRAND83 Greg's mustache is curly, but the rest of him is straight. Read the Earles Husker bio or Bob's autobiography.

[@RuddyIPA]

@ri394 Well said.

[@podfunk]

What's with the fuckin' U2 backing track?

[@xsisterwifex]

Sure play U2 and Blues Fagler on a segment about Husker fucking Du.

[@jackhillty1]

greg's still the cute one

[@blue2134]

He’s super handsome

[@SuperDobie1]

Bob disliked this.

[@deerhunter2218]

Bob loved it

[@batterycock]

0:43 no tache!!

[@medicinegone]

HAHA. Grant is such a dork. It's always been clear where the talent came from in that band. Bob rules.

[@tobygibson3806]

Fantastic band! If you love this kind of stuff from MN, please check out Dan Corrigan's book: www.mnhs.org/mnhspress/books/heyday

[@beeswaxlike]

Jesus, can America can get anything right when it comes to world knowledge? In all these clips they just keep switching from Danish, Norwegian to Swedish. They're not the same language and I know for a fact that the phrase doesn't exist in Swedish.

[@Kaaotikock]

freddie mercury was also husker du?? wow

[@deerhunter2218]

Freddie Mercury was also husker du??? Wtf mate

[@booze_talkin]

Read Bobs book for his take on Gregs skills. Not flattering.

[@faschuck]

Ray Wolf Sad but true. Not to mention, Bob said that by the time 'Candy Apple Grey' came out (1986), he and Grant were increasingly leaving Greg out of many crucial band decisions. What's more, Bob said repeatedly that he and Grant were clearly the 'brains' of the operation, as they did the bulk of the songwriting. In fact, Bob said that they had worked out a contractual 60-40 split in the royalties, with Bob taking that 60%. Arrogant? Sure, but you have to respect Bob's fierce work ethic...

[@wide_awake]

Interesting..He’s a fine bass player in my book

[@Ace_Hunter_lives]

What kind of idiot decided to have over half the music in this feature be from bands that are NOT Husker DU?!?!?!?

[@BillMentzer]

The pastiche of generic 90's background music is just too much, to can't evening.

[@deerhunter2218]

Speak English boy

[@oppositecar]

@Shaytan67 Greg is straight.

[@subrec]

Linked up at MNPunk.com

[@ruf1980]

i knew greg divorced and left his diner to his x-wife

[@icesombi]

Grant Hart better than Kurt

[@metalmadsen]

Danish bordgame! 🇩🇰

[@hermeszaion8503]

Who cares dude? The music is all that matters.

[@daytonabeachUSA]

I love how they play the shittiest songs ever in the background… Mrs Jones… really? Really.

[@havefunbesafe]

Why are playing stupid U2 with this?!? I’m offended

[@georgeferreira124]

Don't believe ANYTHING in this video... They left out some key factors... Like for instance their albums and their music, (except for a few words about Candy Apple Grey...) What about New Day Rising and it's complex but simple poetry??? Or the modernistic vision of Zen Arcade??? Or the masterpiece and probably the greatest album of all time, Warehouse: Songs and Stories??!!!!!!!!!! Only X ever came close. Not Bowie, Not The Clash, probably not even The Who's Quadrophenia!!! Quadrophenia hit deep but along with it came human issues. . Husker Du have a solution to all this! Be happy. Love, be gay and laugh a lot.

[@NORDSTRAND83]

@oppositecar Greg Norton is straight? I thought he was the gayest one of all? What about his YMCA moustache?

[@Geekman333]

Gay, straight...why does it matter??