Jordan Gatesmith of Howler

My main article in the Southwest Anchor. I promise this shall be the last time I post anything about Howler until they have a brand new album.

The name Howler may not be recognizable to you, but if you went up to any boy or girl that actually pays attention to music in Britain, they would know exactly what you’re talking about. The sad thing is that Howler was started right here in Minneapolis, and if you ask someone who Howler is, half of them are bound to say they have no clue. Lead singer and guitarist of Howler, Jordan Gatesmith, didn’t just start playing music last year when the band formed. He was originally in a local band called Total Babe who had a pretty good run when they were together. Although they claim to be on-hiatus, it seems obvious they will never get back together with the recent success of Howler’s debut album, America Give Up. I was lucky enough to ask Jordan a few questions while he was on break from his tour...

MT: So what has been the absolute coolest thing about Howler blowing up in England?
JG: Being able to travel there often and experience the madness first hand.

What is your response to the critics, local and national that have been saying your album is no more special than anyone elses?
I have no response. Some people like it and get it. Some people don't. It's the same for any band out there.

What do you tend to think about when you're writing your songs?
Writing music is like meditating. I have to find my own space and clear my mind completely. Things come through that way.

I know you've been on the Road lately touring behind your new album "America Give Up". Does it get tiring playing shows daily? Does your music get boring to you after awhile?
It becomes a repetition so that you don't even really think about the songs anymore. You just do them. It can be tiring, but never boring. Playing to a large and engaged audience is a lot of fun. Every time.

Who taught you to play guitar? Do you still connect with them today?
Paul Umbarger. We stay in touch.
Have any local bands been an inspiration to you while you were growing up?
I loved the Replacements. They were (and perhaps still are) my favorite band. Paul Westerberg is the reason Howler is the way it is. From attitude to outlook.

I understand you had some Southwest kids in Howler last year. Whatever happened to those guys?
They had too much stuff going on. I don't think they could commit 100%. And at the time, I wanted a firm commitment. I don't think it was the right match anyway. They go to college in Portland and Nashville now.

What advice would you give to high school students that are in bands of there own?
Play with as many people as you can. Don't be afraid to start bands and even more importantly, don't be afraid to break up bands. Sometimes the best things are built out of ashes.

So straight up let me ask you, have you ever felt like De La Salle sucked and you just really wanted to come to Southwest?
I have to be careful with this question don't I? I'm sure Southwest is cool. But De was the shit!

I hope everyone can agree that he chose the wrong answer for that last question. Anyway....the album has many highlights and one of the biggest of those right off the bat is the first song. “Beach Sluts” delivers constant fun and is an upbeat song. It was the first song that really caught my attention when I listened to it. The real highlight that got them attention was their This One’s Different EP which was released last summer. Even before that though you may have heard of them because of their co-headlining show with Southwest Alumni and Rapper, Tony Williams (AKA Atlas) last year at the Depot Coffeeshop.

In a recent interview with the Guardian, Jordan was asked if there was a strong music scene in Minneapolis. His reply was appalling to hear for most Minnesotans. In Jordan’s exact words, “Screw em. Yeah, it's weird, because the 80s saw a great hardcore and punk rock scene, Hüsker Dü kind of being the leaders of it, and the Replacements as well. And Prince was there, which was a whole different thing all together. Completely different, but yeah, I feel like there's this giant lull period of like 30 years.” He also singled out local band, 4onthefloor by calling them “Mumford & Sons crap”, which made a lot of people mad. Although he did sound somewhat remorseful after making these statements, it does not make up for the fact that he completely dissed the town he grew up in. I hope that in the future he uses better judgement when talking about his hometown. I must say though, he sure did make an amazing album!
Best Tracks: “Back of Your Neck” and “Beach Sluts”
Album Rating: A+

Photo Credit to Leslie Plesser at Shuttersmack.com

Now, Now- Threads

It’s good that they decided to change their name from Now, Now Every Children because that was a crazy, hard to understand name! Now, Now’s sophomore album is being released on an impressive new record label. The label which is run by Death Cab For Cutie’s guitarist, Chris Walla. Originally, the band was signed to Indie label, Afternoon Records but left because their contract was up. The Blaine, Minnesota band has had recent success ever since they signed to the new label. Big name critics have been giving them great reviews on their new CD, Threads. I would definitely recommend buying it to support your local artists!

Best Tracks: “Wolf” and “School Friends”
Album Rating: C+

Hope You're Rockin!

-Mx2007

The Pines- Dark So Gold

The Pines just released their first album since 2009’s, Tremolo. The band is known for their intense, quiet music and on this album, I feel that their voices are especiallyhaunting. The album is mainly guitar filled with a lot of slide guitarin the background. I think this may add to the creepiness behind every song. One of the more uplifting songs on the CD is “Chimes”. It’s definitely one of my favorites. The song is a happy tune about saving a relationship. Relatable anyone? Probably the biggest stand out for the band is that they’ve been called a recreation of Bob Dylan. The voices and lyrics are very similar. Some could say they’re wannabes but I must say that they pull it off nicely.

Best Tracks: “Cry, Cry, Crow” and “Chimes”
Album Rating: B-

Hope You're Rockin!

-Mx2007

George Thorogood Interview: 2120 South Michigan Ave.

He's the baddest of the bad, many consider him bad to the bone, but his newest CD 2120 South Michigan Ave. shows his love for his inspirations on Chess Records. Some of the best African- American artists got their start on this label before it closed. Greats like, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf and the ever so legendary Muddy Waters were part of this label. On this album, George Thorogood pays tribute to all these artists with his back up band, the Destroyers. I was lucky enough to score an interview with this acclaimed musician...

Max Timander: Why did you choose to cover and

make an album about the legendary Chess records?

George Thorogood: "I was presented it by Capitol Records, it was their idea and I thought it was a fantastic idea. It was about time we pay tribute to probably the most influential and important record label in American music at that time."

MT: Who was your favorite artist on Chess Records and did their music inspire you to become a musician?

GT: "Well it’s a real toss-up between Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. Howlin’ Wolf is a close second, but I would say that Bo and Chuck are probably tied for first. We can call it, I like the music of Bo Chuck or we’ll call it Diddley Chuck or Chuck Diddley or Bo Berry."

MT: Even on your hit song, "Bad To The Bone" you had some similar structures to that of Muddy Waters, She moves me. Did any of your songs come from listening to tracks like these?

GT: "A lot of them. Actually, on that song we had the artist Muddy Waters in mind for him to cover that song, but he passed on it. Then, we offered it to Bo Diddley who wanted to do it, but he didn’t have a record label at the time. So we had Muddy Waters in mind to begin with."

MT: What have you been doing in between your last album the Dirty Dozen?

GT: "Touring and working on recording 2120 South Michigan Ave!"

MT: Over you career which has spanned almost 40 years now who of the greats have you met and have you met with/played with any of the Chess Records founding fathers?

GT: "Whoa! 40 years… yes to all the above. I have been fortunate to, let’s just keep it to Chess at this point, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley I have become friendly with and I have had the pleasure of working with Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. And you know Buddy Guy, he is not really on Chess, but he has been affiliated with it. I have had a couple experiences with Billy Dickson that went well."

MT: For a very amateur musician, like

myself or any of the young people reading, What advice would you give to them about starting a music career?

GT: "Stay out of Italian cars and don’t eat fried food."

MT: My band Stereo Confession is just starting High school and I personally would like to know how hard it is too make music while in this time period?

GT: "It’s hard in any time period. Play for personal pleasure and eventually all the things you want will come to you."

So I discovered during this interview that he is a truly great guy. The CD is really great to listen to with the classic blues feel. I hope people take a listen to this classic musicians newest album and buy it. He should make his annual round this summer playing a place like the Minnesota Zoo or so. So go check him out!

Rating: B-

Best Tracks: "Let It Rock", "Bo Diddley"

Hope You're Rockin!

-Mx2007