Husker Du

November 1, 2010
Considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 1980s, the Minnesota-based Hsker D helped to lay the groundwork that led to the ultimate success of such pop-punk groups as the Replacements, Sonic Youth, the Pixies, Soul Asylum, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Green Day, among others. Earles offers biographical portraits of band membersguitarist Bob Mould, drummer Grant Hart, and bassist Greg Nortonand discusses the groups tuneful hard rock, or, as he describes it, super-noisy songs. Although they never achieved widespread mainstream success, Hsker D were among the first underground rock bands to sign with a major label (Warner Brothers in 1986), which prompted more than a few fans to accuse them of selling out, an accusation Earles considers to have been greatly exaggerated. Charting their early days, nonstop touring, and defiant embrace of the DIY ethic, Earles carefully examines the bands output in thoughtful criticism of their work, including Land Speed Record, their seminal concept album Zen Arcade, and their Warner Brothers debut Candy Apple Grey. A must for all followers of contemporary rock.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)