Soul Asylum
Encyclopedia
Soul Asylum is an American
alternative rock
band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota
in 1983.
The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy
, Dave Pirner
, Karl Mueller
and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in 1984. The band recorded three albums with Twin/Tone Records
and two with A&M Records
to little commercial success. However, in 1992, they released the triple-platinum album Grave Dancers Union
, featuring their Grammy Award
-winning single "Runaway Train". The band played the Bill Clinton
inauguration early the next year. They also scored a platinum record with the album Let Your Dim Light Shine
three years later. In 1998 they recorded Candy From A Stranger
. Mueller was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, causing the band to organize a benefit concert on his behalf. Mueller died a year later. In 2006 they released their latest album, The Silver Lining.
Dave Pirner, guitarist
and backing vocalist
Dan Murphy, and bassist
Karl Mueller. Pirner was quickly moved to lead vocalist and guitarist and Pat Morley took his place.
As Loud Fast Rules, two of their songs were released on the 1992 Reflex Records
cassette compilation Barefoot and Pregnant.
On the following Reflex compilation, Kitten (recorded live at Goofy's Upper Deck) they were billed as Proud Crass Fools.
Soul Asylum began performing around the Minneapolis-St. Paul area (including First Avenue). They quickly developed a core following, and became known for their powerful, dynamic stage shows.
Their 1984 debut album, Say What You Will... Everything Can Happen was originally released on LP and cassette by local record label Twin/Tone as a nine song EP. This is since out-of-print, but was re-released on CD as Say What You Will, Clarence...Karl Sold the Truck
, which included five additional tracks that were cut from the original album. Between the release of Say What You Will and their second album, Grant Young joined the group, taking over the drums from Morley. In 1986, Soul Asylum released three albums, Made To Be Broken
followed by the cassette only release of Time's Incinerator
and While You Were Out
.
The band toured relentlessly in its early years opening up for a variety of other American touring bands and, later, often as a headliner act after gaining exposure on fellow Minneapolis band Hüsker Dü
's Flip Your Wig
tour in early 1986. Contrasted with some of the popular underground and alternative styles at the time, new audiences were struck by the band's onstage swagger, scruffy Midwestern appearance and extremely loud, frenetic sound - mixing tuneful but unrestrained punk, hardcore, 1970s rock, country and self-effacing kitsch. One early review described their sound as [paraphrased] "an unholy mix of Kiss and Hank Williams tossed under a runaway train." All elements contributed to the band being credited with a 'grunge
precursor' title, a claim often recited in comparisons between pre-Nirvana Minneapolis and Seattle bands. Despite critical acclaim locally and internationally, they remained unknown to a larger U.S. audience and radio market.
The group signed with A&M Records
in 1988. Their first offering there was Clam Dip & Other Delights
(1989), a parody of A&M Records
co-founder Herb Alpert
's Whipped Cream & Other Delights
. Hang Time
was released in 1988, followed by And the Horse They Rode in On
in 1990 (produced by X-pensive Winos drummer Steve Jordan
). Due to poor sales and Pirner's hearing problems, the group considered disbanding.
After playing a series of acoustic shows in the early 1990s they were picked up by Columbia Records
. In 1992 they released Grave Dancers Union
, which became their most popular album. On January 20, 1993, the group performed at the first inauguration
of United States President
Bill Clinton
. Additionally, in 1993, the band performed "Sexual Healing" for the AIDS-Benefit Album No Alternative
produced by the Red Hot Organization
. The band added keyboard player Joey Huffman in the summer of 1993. Huffman toured with the band until joining Matchbox Twenty
in 1998. Huffman played on records Let Your Dim Light Shine
, After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997
and The Silver Lining. In 1994, Soul Asylum received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
for "Runaway Train." The music video for "Runaway Train" featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Pirner appeared and said "If you've seen one of these kids, or you are one of them, please call this number" before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. For use outside the U.S., the video was edited to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video would be used. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families.
Before their next studio album, drummer Grant Young was fired, and was replaced by Sterling Campbell
. Campbell had been listed as providing "percussion" on Grave Dancers Union (although it turned out he had actually done at least half of the drumming on that album). The next release, Let Your Dim Light Shine
saw the track "Misery
" reach the Top 20, but the album was not as successful as the band's previous one. In 1997 Soul Asylum performed a benefit concert
for North Dakota
students whose proms were cancelled due to the Red River Flood of 1997. Some of the songs that were played during the prom were later released on After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997
in 2004. The group released Candy from a Stranger
the following year. The album was unsuccessful and the band was dropped from Columbia Records' roster. Pirner said, "It's sort of sad to say, but you could see the whole grunge-rock-band thing getting totally over-saturated and people were looking for something new." The band took a step back; Pirner explained, "We needed to reassess how far we've gone and how much further we're going to go and which way we want to go and what we do right and what we do wrong. It was kind of time to take inventory."
Pirner became friends with the film director
Kevin Smith
, a longtime Soul Asylum fan. Soul Asylum have contributed music to three Kevin Smith films, Clerks
, Clerks II
, and 1997's Chasing Amy
(in which Pirner provided the score). Smith directed the music video for the song "Can't Even Tell," which was featured on the Clerks soundtrack.
In May 2004, bassist Mueller was diagnosed with throat cancer
and underwent treatment. In October 2004, a benefit concert was held for him in Minneapolis at The Quest nightclub, and featured many popular local groups and musicians, including Soul Asylum, the Gear Daddies
, Paul Westerberg
, and former Hüsker Dü
bandmates Bob Mould
and Grant Hart
, who reunited for their first performance together in sixteen years. The benefit raised over $50,000. At the time, Mueller's cancer was in remission, and he played with his bandmates during the show. Mueller recorded his last Soul Asylum album that year, 2006's The Silver Lining. However, the cancer later returned, and he died at his home on June 17, 2005. Soul Asylum released The Silver Lining on July 11, 2006, their first album of new material in eight years since Candy from a Stranger
.
In late 2005, ex-Replacements bassist (and current Guns N' Roses
bassist) Tommy Stinson
and former Prince
drummer Michael Bland
joined Soul Asylum. They completed their American tour in support of The Silver Lining in late 2006. In November and December 2006 they opened for Cheap Trick
on their American tour. On March 10, 2007, Soul Asylum joined Cyndi Lauper
, Mint Condition
, and Lifehouse
to hold a concert to benefit Wain McFarlane
, the leader of the reggae band Ipso Facto
, to help pay for the expenses of a kidney transplant.
Although Tommy Stinson is a permanent member, in 2006 and 2007 while on tour with Guns N' Roses his place was temporarily filled by George Scot McKelvy. For the 2010 Guns N' Roses world tour, his fill-in was Pete Donnelly.
As of February 2010, according to the band's website, Soul Asylum is currently working on a new album.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 1983.
The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy
Dan Murphy
Dan Murphy is best known as the guitarist for the American band, Soul Asylum. He is also a member of Golden Smog.-History:...
, Dave Pirner
Dave Pirner
David Anthony "Dave" Pirner is an American songwriter, singer, and producer best known for being the lead vocalist and frontman for the alternative rock/grunge band, Soul Asylum.-Biography:...
, Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller was an American rock musician. He was the bass player and a founding member of the Minneapolis Alternative Rock band, Soul Asylum....
and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in 1984. The band recorded three albums with Twin/Tone Records
Twin/Tone Records
Twin/Tone Records was a record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that operated from 1977 until 1994 and helped several local groups receive national attention. The label was born from the Minneapolis punk rock music scene, which included venues like Jay's Longhorn Bar. The label was begun by...
and two with A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
to little commercial success. However, in 1992, they released the triple-platinum album Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union is the official sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Soul Asylum, released in 1992...
, featuring their Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning single "Runaway Train". The band played the Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
inauguration early the next year. They also scored a platinum record with the album Let Your Dim Light Shine
Let Your Dim Light Shine
Let Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the band's breakout release...
three years later. In 1998 they recorded Candy From A Stranger
Candy From a Stranger
Candy from a Stranger is Soul Asylum's eighth studio album. It was released on May 12, 1998 . It is the follow-up to the 1995 studio release Let Your Dim Light Shine....
. Mueller was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, causing the band to organize a benefit concert on his behalf. Mueller died a year later. In 2006 they released their latest album, The Silver Lining.
History
The group was an outgrowth of a previous band, Loud Fast Rules, formed in 1981 by drummerDrummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Dave Pirner, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
Dan Murphy, and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Karl Mueller. Pirner was quickly moved to lead vocalist and guitarist and Pat Morley took his place.
As Loud Fast Rules, two of their songs were released on the 1992 Reflex Records
Reflex Records
Reflex Records was an American independent record label formed by the members of hardcore punk band Hüsker Dü and Terry Katzman. It was formed to help promote independent bands, after Twin Tone Records rejected Hüsker Dü's first single in 1979....
cassette compilation Barefoot and Pregnant.
On the following Reflex compilation, Kitten (recorded live at Goofy's Upper Deck) they were billed as Proud Crass Fools.
Soul Asylum began performing around the Minneapolis-St. Paul area (including First Avenue). They quickly developed a core following, and became known for their powerful, dynamic stage shows.
Their 1984 debut album, Say What You Will... Everything Can Happen was originally released on LP and cassette by local record label Twin/Tone as a nine song EP. This is since out-of-print, but was re-released on CD as Say What You Will, Clarence...Karl Sold the Truck
Say What You Will, Clarence...Karl Sold the Truck
Say What You Will Clarence...Karl Sold the Truck is the debut album from Soul Asylum.The album was originally released as Say What You Will... Everything Can Happen on August 24, 1984. This album sold 6,738 vinyl copies and 2,639 cassettes before being released on CD in 1988. The listing below...
, which included five additional tracks that were cut from the original album. Between the release of Say What You Will and their second album, Grant Young joined the group, taking over the drums from Morley. In 1986, Soul Asylum released three albums, Made To Be Broken
Made to Be Broken
Made to Be Broken is the second full-length album from Soul Asylum. It is also the first of three albums of Soul Asylum to be released in 1986....
followed by the cassette only release of Time's Incinerator
Time's Incinerator
Time's Incinerator is the second album to be released by Soul Asylum in 1986. It is a rare cassette-only release which contains b-sides, outtakes, and demos from Soul Asylum and the former Loud Fast Rules days....
and While You Were Out
While You Were Out (album)
While You Were Out is Soul Asylum's third studio album. It was released on November 21, 1986 . It is the follow-up to the 1986 studio release Made To Be Broken....
.
The band toured relentlessly in its early years opening up for a variety of other American touring bands and, later, often as a headliner act after gaining exposure on fellow Minneapolis band Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
's Flip Your Wig
Flip Your Wig
Flip Your Wig is the fourth album by the American punk rock band, Hüsker Dü, and its last release on SST Records. By the time of this release in 1985, they had signed a major-label record deal. However, the band felt they owed one more album to SST and delivered Flip Your Wig...
tour in early 1986. Contrasted with some of the popular underground and alternative styles at the time, new audiences were struck by the band's onstage swagger, scruffy Midwestern appearance and extremely loud, frenetic sound - mixing tuneful but unrestrained punk, hardcore, 1970s rock, country and self-effacing kitsch. One early review described their sound as [paraphrased] "an unholy mix of Kiss and Hank Williams tossed under a runaway train." All elements contributed to the band being credited with a 'grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
precursor' title, a claim often recited in comparisons between pre-Nirvana Minneapolis and Seattle bands. Despite critical acclaim locally and internationally, they remained unknown to a larger U.S. audience and radio market.
The group signed with A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
in 1988. Their first offering there was Clam Dip & Other Delights
Clam Dip & Other Delights
Clam Dip & Other Delights is the 1989 grab-bag EP from Minneapolis rockers Soul Asylum. The title and cover art are both parodies of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass's album Whipped Cream and Other Delights. It was a humorous nod to their new record label, A&M . Bassist Karl Mueller sat in for the...
(1989), a parody of A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
co-founder Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
's Whipped Cream & Other Delights
Whipped Cream & Other Delights
Whipped Cream and Other Delights is a 1965 album by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, called "Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass" for this album, released on A&M Records...
. Hang Time
Hang Time (album)
Hang Time is a 1988 album from the band Soul Asylum. Released on A&M Records, it was the band's major-label debut.Singer/guitarist Dave Pirner wrote the majority of the album. Guitarist Dan Murphy chimed in with "Cartoon," released as one of the album's singles...
was released in 1988, followed by And the Horse They Rode in On
And the Horse They Rode in On
And the Horse They Rode In On is the fifth album by Minneapolis rockers Soul Asylum. It was produced by Steve Jordan with Joe Blaney.The vinyl, cassette, and CD versions of the album have different, but related, cover art.-Track listing:...
in 1990 (produced by X-pensive Winos drummer Steve Jordan
Steve Jordan (musician)
Steve Jordan is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, musical director and Grammy Award-winning artist, who has made a name for himself as a producer from the Bronx in New York City. A graduate of the Fiorello H...
). Due to poor sales and Pirner's hearing problems, the group considered disbanding.
After playing a series of acoustic shows in the early 1990s they were picked up by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. In 1992 they released Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union is the official sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Soul Asylum, released in 1992...
, which became their most popular album. On January 20, 1993, the group performed at the first inauguration
Inauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
of United States President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
. Additionally, in 1993, the band performed "Sexual Healing" for the AIDS-Benefit Album No Alternative
No Alternative
-Home video track listing:# Matthew Sweet "Superdeformed"#*directed by Kevin Kerslake# Neneh Cherry "Athens, Georgia 1993"#*directed by Jim McKay & Michael Stipe# Urge Overkill "Take a Walk"#*directed by Matt Mahurin...
produced by the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
. The band added keyboard player Joey Huffman in the summer of 1993. Huffman toured with the band until joining Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995...
in 1998. Huffman played on records Let Your Dim Light Shine
Let Your Dim Light Shine
Let Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the band's breakout release...
, After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997
After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997
After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997 is the first live album released by Soul Asylum. It was recorded on June 28, 1997 about two months after the epic Red River Flood of 1997 hit the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Soul Asylum played the concert for the joint prom...
and The Silver Lining. In 1994, Soul Asylum received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
The Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre...
for "Runaway Train." The music video for "Runaway Train" featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Pirner appeared and said "If you've seen one of these kids, or you are one of them, please call this number" before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. For use outside the U.S., the video was edited to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video would be used. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families.
Before their next studio album, drummer Grant Young was fired, and was replaced by Sterling Campbell
Sterling Campbell
Sterling Campbell in New York City, New York, is an American rock drummer who has worked with numerous high-profile acts. He rose to attention in 1986, touring with Cyndi Lauper on her her True Colors World Tour, in 1986, and in 1987, joined Duran Duran...
. Campbell had been listed as providing "percussion" on Grave Dancers Union (although it turned out he had actually done at least half of the drumming on that album). The next release, Let Your Dim Light Shine
Let Your Dim Light Shine
Let Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the band's breakout release...
saw the track "Misery
Misery (Soul Asylum song)
"Misery" is a 1995 song performed by the Minneapolis rock band Soul Asylum. Although Let Your Dim Light Shine critically suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the single, "Misery", reached number 20 on The Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in...
" reach the Top 20, but the album was not as successful as the band's previous one. In 1997 Soul Asylum performed a benefit concert
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
for North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
students whose proms were cancelled due to the Red River Flood of 1997. Some of the songs that were played during the prom were later released on After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997
After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997
After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997 is the first live album released by Soul Asylum. It was recorded on June 28, 1997 about two months after the epic Red River Flood of 1997 hit the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Soul Asylum played the concert for the joint prom...
in 2004. The group released Candy from a Stranger
Candy From a Stranger
Candy from a Stranger is Soul Asylum's eighth studio album. It was released on May 12, 1998 . It is the follow-up to the 1995 studio release Let Your Dim Light Shine....
the following year. The album was unsuccessful and the band was dropped from Columbia Records' roster. Pirner said, "It's sort of sad to say, but you could see the whole grunge-rock-band thing getting totally over-saturated and people were looking for something new." The band took a step back; Pirner explained, "We needed to reassess how far we've gone and how much further we're going to go and which way we want to go and what we do right and what we do wrong. It was kind of time to take inventory."
Pirner became friends with the film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
, a longtime Soul Asylum fan. Soul Asylum have contributed music to three Kevin Smith films, Clerks
Clerks
Clerks is a 1994 independent comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, who also appears in the film as Silent Bob. Starring Brian O'Halloran as Dante Hicks and Jeff Anderson as Randal Graves, it presents a day in the lives of two store clerks and their acquaintances...
, Clerks II
Clerks II
Clerks II is a 2006 American comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, sequel to his 1994 film Clerks, and his sixth and latest feature film to be set in the View Askewniverse...
, and 1997's Chasing Amy
Chasing Amy
Chasing Amy is a 1997 romantic comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. The central tension revolves around sexuality, sexual history, and evolving friendships. It is the third film in Smith's View Askewniverse series....
(in which Pirner provided the score). Smith directed the music video for the song "Can't Even Tell," which was featured on the Clerks soundtrack.
In May 2004, bassist Mueller was diagnosed with throat cancer
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
and underwent treatment. In October 2004, a benefit concert was held for him in Minneapolis at The Quest nightclub, and featured many popular local groups and musicians, including Soul Asylum, the Gear Daddies
Gear Daddies
The Gear Daddies are a band from Austin, Minnesota that enjoyed moderate success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its members were Randy Broughten , Nick Ciola , Billy Dankert , and Martin Zellar...
, Paul Westerberg
Paul Westerberg
Paul Westerberg is an American musician, best known as the former lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter of The Replacements, one of the seminal alternative rock bands of the 1980s. He launched a solo career after the dissolution of that band...
, and former Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
bandmates Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Robert Arthur "Bob" Mould is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.-Early life:...
and Grant Hart
Grant Hart
Grant Hart is an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-songwriter for the influential alternative rock and hardcore punk band Hüsker Dü. After the band's breakup in 1987, Hart formed the alternative rock trio Nova Mob, where he moved to vocals and guitar...
, who reunited for their first performance together in sixteen years. The benefit raised over $50,000. At the time, Mueller's cancer was in remission, and he played with his bandmates during the show. Mueller recorded his last Soul Asylum album that year, 2006's The Silver Lining. However, the cancer later returned, and he died at his home on June 17, 2005. Soul Asylum released The Silver Lining on July 11, 2006, their first album of new material in eight years since Candy from a Stranger
Candy From a Stranger
Candy from a Stranger is Soul Asylum's eighth studio album. It was released on May 12, 1998 . It is the follow-up to the 1995 studio release Let Your Dim Light Shine....
.
In late 2005, ex-Replacements bassist (and current Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
bassist) Tommy Stinson
Tommy Stinson
Thomas "Tommy" Eugene Stinson is an American musician best known for his work as the bassist for The Replacements and Guns N' Roses as well as the post-Replacements groups Bash & Pop, where he performed guitar duties, and Perfect...
and former Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
drummer Michael Bland
Michael Bland
Michael Bland is best known as a drummer for Prince starting in 1989. He was with Prince during The New Power Generation era and played with him live and on albums for 7 years....
joined Soul Asylum. They completed their American tour in support of The Silver Lining in late 2006. In November and December 2006 they opened for Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
on their American tour. On March 10, 2007, Soul Asylum joined Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, Mint Condition
Mint Condition
Mint Condition is an R&B band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Formed in the late 1980s, its original members were lead singer Stokley Williams, bassist Ricky Kinchen, guitarist Homer O'Dell, pianist Larry Waddell, keyboardist Keri Lewis, and keyboardist/saxophonist Jeffrey Allen...
, and Lifehouse
Lifehouse (band)
Lifehouse is an American rock band from Los Angeles. The band came to mainstream prominence in 2001 with the hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their debut studio album, No Name Face. The single won a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year, beating out Janet Jackson and Alicia...
to hold a concert to benefit Wain McFarlane
Wain McFarlane
Wain McFarlane is the leader of the Minneapolis-based funk/reggae/jazz band, Ipso Facto. On March 10, 2007, Soul Asylum, Cyndi Lauper, Mint Condition, and Lifehouse hosted a benefit concert to raise money for his kidney transplant...
, the leader of the reggae band Ipso Facto
Ipso Facto
Ipso Facto is a studio album by the Canadian rock guitarist Rik Emmett, released in 1992. It was Emmett's second solo studio album.The album was certified gold in the US by the RIAA, with sales of over 500,000 copies, on April 24, 1993 and Platinum, with sales of over one million copies, on July...
, to help pay for the expenses of a kidney transplant.
Although Tommy Stinson is a permanent member, in 2006 and 2007 while on tour with Guns N' Roses his place was temporarily filled by George Scot McKelvy. For the 2010 Guns N' Roses world tour, his fill-in was Pete Donnelly.
As of February 2010, according to the band's website, Soul Asylum is currently working on a new album.
Discography
- Say What You Will, Clarence...Karl Sold The TruckSay What You Will, Clarence...Karl Sold the TruckSay What You Will Clarence...Karl Sold the Truck is the debut album from Soul Asylum.The album was originally released as Say What You Will... Everything Can Happen on August 24, 1984. This album sold 6,738 vinyl copies and 2,639 cassettes before being released on CD in 1988. The listing below...
(1984) (Twin/ToneTwin/Tone RecordsTwin/Tone Records was a record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that operated from 1977 until 1994 and helped several local groups receive national attention. The label was born from the Minneapolis punk rock music scene, which included venues like Jay's Longhorn Bar. The label was begun by...
) - Made To Be BrokenMade to Be BrokenMade to Be Broken is the second full-length album from Soul Asylum. It is also the first of three albums of Soul Asylum to be released in 1986....
(1986) (Twin/ToneTwin/Tone RecordsTwin/Tone Records was a record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that operated from 1977 until 1994 and helped several local groups receive national attention. The label was born from the Minneapolis punk rock music scene, which included venues like Jay's Longhorn Bar. The label was begun by...
) - While You Were OutWhile You Were Out (album)While You Were Out is Soul Asylum's third studio album. It was released on November 21, 1986 . It is the follow-up to the 1986 studio release Made To Be Broken....
(1986) (Twin/ToneTwin/Tone RecordsTwin/Tone Records was a record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that operated from 1977 until 1994 and helped several local groups receive national attention. The label was born from the Minneapolis punk rock music scene, which included venues like Jay's Longhorn Bar. The label was begun by...
) - Hang TimeHang Time (album)Hang Time is a 1988 album from the band Soul Asylum. Released on A&M Records, it was the band's major-label debut.Singer/guitarist Dave Pirner wrote the majority of the album. Guitarist Dan Murphy chimed in with "Cartoon," released as one of the album's singles...
(1988) (A&MA&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
) - And the Horse They Rode In OnAnd the Horse They Rode in OnAnd the Horse They Rode In On is the fifth album by Minneapolis rockers Soul Asylum. It was produced by Steve Jordan with Joe Blaney.The vinyl, cassette, and CD versions of the album have different, but related, cover art.-Track listing:...
(1990) (A&MA&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
) - Grave Dancers UnionGrave Dancers UnionGrave Dancers Union is the official sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Soul Asylum, released in 1992...
(1992) [3x Platinum] (ColumbiaColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
) - Let Your Dim Light ShineLet Your Dim Light ShineLet Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the band's breakout release...
(1995) [Platinum] (ColumbiaColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
) - Candy from a StrangerCandy From a StrangerCandy from a Stranger is Soul Asylum's eighth studio album. It was released on May 12, 1998 . It is the follow-up to the 1995 studio release Let Your Dim Light Shine....
(1998) (ColumbiaColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
) - After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997After the Flood: Live from the Grand Forks Prom, June 28, 1997 is the first live album released by Soul Asylum. It was recorded on June 28, 1997 about two months after the epic Red River Flood of 1997 hit the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Soul Asylum played the concert for the joint prom...
(2004) (SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
) - The Silver Lining (2006) (LegacyLegacy RecordingsLegacy Recordings is Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division. It was founded in 1990 by CBS Records under the leadership of Jerry Shulman, Richard Bauer, Gary Pacheco and Amy Herot to handle reissues of recordings from the vast catalogues of Columbia Records, Epic Records and associated...
)
External links
- Official Soul Asylum site
- Soul Asylum's Official Myspace Page
- Soul Asylum Videos (Sony Records)
- Trouser Press entry
- Sound recordings, a video collection, and the band’s records are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society.