Die KreuzenThe 8/28 edition of the Chicago Tribune contained a gushing article by rock critic Greg Kot about Naked Raygun, a local 1980s “punk-rock band” that appeared on the bill with Foo Fighters, Urge Overkill, and Cheap Trick at Wrigley Field last night. The piece included snippets from Dave Grohl, former Nirvana member and Foo leader. Grohl, who grew up in Virginia, recalled that when visited a cousin in suburban Evanston, Illinois, as a teen, he got introduced to Naked Raygun. He said this music represented a welcome departure from standards like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Rolling Stones.
Both of my sons inherited musical talent from their mom. Over the years we have discussed why America embraces lackluster talent (and less than) while other much more talented acts never pierce the success canopy. Many times we have lumped Foo Fighters in the the former category. Yesterday, I listened to several Naked Raygun songs, and heard a similarity to Foo. Regardless, as a homer, Kot praised Naked Raygun and their “huge legacy.” I personally prefer a much different midwestern 1980s punk outfit, Die Kreuzen, from Milwaukee. I like watching this public access tv clip, which includes flannel long before grunge emerged:
Mars WilliamsIf I had been given a free ticket to last night’s show, I would have passed. Instead, my wife and I attended a street festival concert that featured the Psychedlic Furs. Their music is also formulaic, but I wanted to see them and Mars Williams – who was a Fur member in the 1980s – added some much-needed texture. I’ve seen Mars perform dozens of times over the years in his capacity as a saxophonist and clarinetist with various jazz ensembles such as the Peter Brotzmann Tentet, the Vandermark 5, and Liquid Soul. Mars has also been active in underground improvisational jazz acts, and I have numerous cds of this genre, e.g., Witches and Devils and Hal Russell’s NRG Ensemble. Another reason I would not go to Wrigley Field is that current Cub owner, Tom Ricketts, is the fundraising chair for Gov. Scott Walker in his bid for the presidency.
