meet the bands

Mayfly : Track 1
It Ain't Me Babe

Mayfly is a Duluth group consisting of Ann Forsman on vocals, Jason Loop on acoustic guitar and Nick Patullo on percussion. Recently Mayfly added Randy Peterson on bass. The instrumentation alone should tip you off on the sound of the groupÑskeletal, acoustic-based songs with just enough percussion to step it up a notch in intensity and texture. And then, of course, theres the voice. Most female singers are doomed to knee-jerk comparisons to other known artists. However, Forsman defies comparison and destroys them with her smooth, soulful voice and with lyrics that jump from anger to loss to beauty. And she means every word.. CONTACT >>

Giljunko : Track 2
Quit Your Low Down Ways

Giljunko is a three piece (sometimes four piece) garage rawk and\or roll band that hails from the East Hillside in Dullyouth, Minnesota. We have three cd's and five 7" records put out by our own label, Shaky Ray Records. We started out in 1995 and play mostly in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth. Members include: Mark Lindquist, guitars and vocals, Pat Nelsburg, guitars, Chris Whittier, bass and drums, and Tony Derrick, drums and bass. MORE >>

Gild : Track 3
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Gild is Jennifer Jones, who sings and plays guitar & percussion, Tim Nelson on guitar & beer-keg, the multi-talented DJ Baby Judy, with his turntables & rhymes, and a rhythm section featuring bassist Dicky Brooks and drummer James Hagstrom. Gild's smooth melodies and chunky funk rock have continued to evolve through two full length CDs (RCI/Spinout) and the addition of a DJ. MORE >>

Father Hennepin : Track 4
Girl From The North Country

Duluth's finest Alt-Country ensemble. CONTACT >>

Both : Track 5
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Rising from the ashes of Duluth's indi scene, are the hart rock band "both". Mixing influences and adding spice, both is a sonic sound-scape of rock, melodic moods and experimental anthems. Both challenges listeners in sound and in content. With subjects ranging from detachment of the middle class to anorexia, they are a hard band to pigeonhole into a genre. With this in mind, the boys of both have labeled themselves with a simple equation: hard rock + art rock = HART ROCK. Xaq Bentz- Drum kit, programming Greg "Cougar" Conley- Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard, Radio Bryon Gaynor- Stool Softener(Bass) Kyle MacLean- Vocals, Guitar, Sax, Keyboard, Radio Brett Molitor- Guitar, Samples, Weird Shit For more information, CONTACT >>

The Black Eyed Snakes: Track 6
Tombstone Blues

The Black Eyed Snakes have been described as "Black Sabbath if Muddy Waters replaced Ozzy Osbourne." Chicken Bone George (a.k.a. Allan Sparhawk), who assumes the role of a delta-bluesman on crank, formed the trio (two guitars and three-piece drum-kit) in March 2000. Rounded out by the guitar-raping of Bobby Bighouse (Bob Olson) and the unmerciful-drumming of Smokinâ Brad Nelson, the band consistently brings audiences to a sweat-filled frenzy. The Black Eyed Snakes are currently recording and self-producing their first record at 20 Below in Duluth. A May release date is expected. CONTACT >>

Crazy Betty : Track 7
Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Crazy Betty who likes to remain fairly low key is: Toby on vocals & guitar, Aaron on vocals & guitar, Danny on bass, DJ Plumber, and Dave on drums. CONTACT >>

The First Ladies: Track 8
Father of Night

The First Ladies are an elite fighting force dimly sponsored by the Office of Scientific Intelligence for the following reasons:

• To combat the forces of sloth and indefference which threaten the very moral fabric of our creative society.
• To provide the a stable source of the sauce, the funk and the groove to all in need.
• And play what ever large VFW or Community Center that will have them!
  
  CONTACT >>

Ballyhoo : Track 9
When I Pain My Masterpiece

Ballyhoo has been busy bringing their special blend of Folk-Rock-Groove music to Minnesota audiences for two fun filled years. in those two years, Ballyhoo has transitioned from a four-piece raucous bar band, to a five-piece cohesive groove machine.

The Dames : Track 10
All Along The Watchtower

Formed in 1996 by high school friends Tony Bennett (guitar / vocals) and Rusty Johnson (bass) , the dames forced their wall of murderous guitar feedback, distorted bass, washed out cymbals and booming drums down the gullets of every man, women, child and cliquey hipster this side of the mississippi... playing every show offered, at any establishment that hadn't already banished them for being "too loud", the Dames were quickly put on the fringes of the duluth music scene due to their decidedly 'more aggressive' take on rock and roll...

After the addition of drummer Mat Milinkovich in early 1998, the Dames have gone on to be named one of the best new bands in Minneapolis (1999) by the legendary music venue First Ave. / 7th St. Entry as well as placing 13th out of some 200 bands in the Minneapolis Alternative news paper The City Pages' "Pick To Click Poll"...

Over the past four years the Dames have released songs for various comp c.d.s, released a c.d.e.p. with the Mpls. band Houston, have a spilt 7 inch coming out January 01 with the Duluth band Both, and are finishing work an 8 song disc due Jan / Feb 2001. The Dames have also graced many a stage playing shows with the likes of Hank Williams III, Queens Of The Stone Age, Nebula, Atomic Bitchwax, Econoline Crush as well as a career highlight playing a post show party for their idols THE MELVINS. CONTACT >>

The American Hip: Track 11
Country Pie

Consisting of noodling guitars, jazzy drums, piano, bass and vocals, the American Hip give Duluth audiences a healthy dose of folky-rock based jams.

The Black Labels: Track 12
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Edgy guitar surf rockers, the Black Labels consist of Ryan Lund on drums, Ben Marsen on guitar and Matt Norby on bass.

Jamie Ness : Track 13
Sad Eyed Lady of the Low Land

Formerly of Minneapolis, MN based band ATF, singer/songwriter Jamie Ness consistantly entertains audiences with his lively guitar strumming and rich and soulful vocals. CONTACT >>

Accidental Porn : Track 14
If You Gotta Go, Go Now

Accidental Porn is Ethan Thompson on bass, Brian ÒLeftyÓ Johnson on conga's and vocals.

Low : Track 15
Blowin' In The Wind

Low is a trio from Duluth, Minnesota, who make very slow music. That's not the only thing there is to their music, or even the most important thing, but it's what you'll notice first. Low plays songs stripped to their bare essentials: slow tempos, quiet voices, powerful lyrics, and minimal instrumentations. Described as "Joy Division meets Simon & Garfunkel", has four full-length albums and a handful of EPs and singles. MORE >>