The Hold Steady is one of the most interesting bands to arise from the early 2000s. A stew of classic rock and punk, the band at times sounds like a marriage of Thin Lizzy and Springsteen’s E Street Band with a manic poet barking out song lyrics.
Even with the classic rock influence, the band, led by Twin Cities native Craig Finn, drew on Minneapolis legends like the Replacements and Husker Du for inspiration, as well as the early SST bands Minutemen and Black Flag.
It’s been more than 4 1/2 years since the Hold Steady’s last full-length album. Instead, the band began putting out two-song releases online in November. There were subsequent releases in March, July and earlier this month.
Taken together, the songs form what stacks up to be the equivalent of a fun new THS album, complete with the clever social commentary and word play that’s become the band’s hallmark.
While each song release precedes a set of concerts at one of the band’s favorite cities, it doesn’t appear Chicago will be honored this weekend. Maybe when these guys head to Finn’s home state next month?
The good news is the Hold Steady is playing the Goose Island 312 fest in Chicago Saturday.
Some lucky fans jumped on the chance to see the band at a sold-out show at Empty Bottle for a show Friday night.
All the Young Punks 