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By Maya Kroth SIGNONSANDIEGO STAFF WRITER Hailing from Minnesota via New York, the Hold Steady is comprised of singer Craig Finn and guitarist Tad Kubler, both formerly of Minneapolis art-punk band Lifter Puller. With literate lyrics that reference everything from Nabokov to the Bible, Finn combines Elvis Costello's spitting, frothy frustration with Rivers Cuomo's geekiness and Mike "Soul Coughing" Doughty's narrative speak/singing. Kubler lays down a crunchy guitar groove that recalls the classic rock of bands like The Who. If you haven't already heard about these guys, you're likely to soon. The buzz machine started cranking with the release of 2004's "Almost Killed Me"—Rolling Stone and Spin both called it that year's best album nobody heard—and grew more deafening after a couple of packed sets at the SXSW music festival. With its latest release, "Separation Sunday," the band's seduced even the most grizzled critics. Since streeting in May 2005, "Sunday" has called "perfect" (JANE), "excellent" (The New Yorker) and the year's best so far (Village Voice). They've done Conan and Carson, and their single, "Your Little Hoodrat Friend," is being added to radio stations as we speak. Despite leaving Minny behind for Williamsburg, the Hold Steady is still massively supported in its hometown—the Minnesota Twins have even made it their official radio broadcast music. |
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