husker du

The Ledge #607: Love Stinks

Anti-love songs is a rock and roll specialty. From the very beginning of the genre, writers with a poison pen have created a plethora of material that is not exactly Hallmark card material. Tonight’s show celebrates tracks of this time, highligh…

The Ledge #598: Best Reissues, Compilations, etc. of 2023

It’s the time of year for everybody to unveil their various lists of the best records of the year, so here is the unveiling of the first part of my lists. This week’s show features a countdown of my 20 favorite reissues, box sets, live alb…

The Ledge #586: Replacements’ Tim Box Set

How to talk about the new box set dedicated to one of my favorite records ever? I really can’t, to be honest, as there are tons and tons of articles floating around right now that I could never attempt to better. But let’s just say that Tim by The Replacements is certinly a record that I’ve never gone long without listening to since it’s release in 1985.Yet I must be honest when I say that my all time favorite Replacements record is actually the previous album, Let It Be, but I’ll concede that Tim is a better collection of songs. How is that possible? Let It Be had a powerful sound. Tim has always suffered from a thin, muddy mix that was certainly fine enough that it didn’t afffect my overall love of the record. I just preferred the beefier Let It Be.That opinion may now change thanks to the release of this new box set. Tim (Let It Bleed Edition) rights the wrongs of the record I’ve loved for close to 40 years. Ed Stasium, who was supposed to mix the original record, was hired to finally work his magic. And it’s wonderful. The drums are front and center. Tommy Stinson’s bass can actually be heard, and there’s little elements in […]

The Ledge #532: SST Records (Pt. 1)

The Ledge #532: SST Records (Pt. 1)

When I was informed there was a new book about one of my favorite labels of the 80s, I just had to have it. Jim Ruland’s Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records is every bit as great as I hoped. It really tells the controversil tale of not only label founder Greg Ginn, but the entire circus of bands and staffers that ran a label that launched the careers of dozens of legendry artists. It was only natural that I put together a show dedicated to these artists, but I quickly discovered this story could not be told in one episode. Tonight’s broadcast starts off with a chronological look at most of the label’s first 20 or so releases, followed by another hour spotlighting some of my personal favorites. While I still have dozens of records to sample for next week’s episode, if there’s any you feel needs to be included, please let me know! I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but […]

The Ledge #525: 60 Years of Rock n Roll

The Ledge #525: 60 Years of Rock n Roll

This show ended up being quite different than originally planned. The initial idea was another “odds and ends” show where I aired tracks from some records that I had been playing around the house. I suddenly realized, however, that I’ve been listening to quite a few compilations in the past few weeks. And that I’ve been digging into the archives quite often for some of my oldest records. So tonight actually is an odds and ends show that features 60 years of great rock and roll, from the standard bearer Chuck Berry to the current sounds of Low Rats, a band that bodes well for the future of the genre. Four compilations have feature spots in the show – Louie’s Limbo Lounge (Las Vegas Grind, Vol. 2) gathers togehter raw 50’s stompers, Back From the Grave Vol. 5 highlights 60s garage bands, Punk 45: There is No Such Thing As Society, Vol. 2 is centered around late 70’s UK punk and post-punk, and Du Huskers: The Twin Cities Replay Zen Arcade is a 1993 tribute to the classic Husker Du album. I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. […]

The Ledge #471: 1981 US Punk Faves

The Ledge #471: 1981 US Punk Faves

1981 was a very special year for your favorite podcast host. I graduated from high school, and immediately started at the local radio station when I entered college. While the 2 – 6 am shift may seem like a nightmare to most people, it was the perfect opportunity for me to investigate the floor to ceiling record racks in the cramped studio. This week’s show represents the US-originated records from that era that mean the most to me today. Most of them I discovered during these late night shifts, but a few of them I must admit they weren’t faves until years later. Of course, I have to highlight the first releases from my two favorite Minneapolis bands of all time, and longtime faves the Ramones put out their sixth album that year. There’s also a couple of new indie labels, IRS and SST, that would greatly influence me throughout the rest of the decade. After listening, please go purchase those tracks you enjoy! These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly […]

The Ledge #452: 1985

The Ledge #452: 1985

The Ledge #428: Scott’s Fave Songs Vol. 4 – Minneapolis

The Ledge #428: Scott’s Fave Songs Vol. 4 – Minneapolis

It’s safe to say that a Minneapolis-themed show would come out of the series of my favorite songs of all time. It was actually the easiest of the shows to put together. No, it’s not two hours of Replacements and Husker Du songs. Certainly both of those bands are well-represented but so many other bands from that great city had a huge impact on my life. Many of these are extremely popular (Soul Asylum, Jayhawks, Suburbs) but there are also a lesser-known ton of records that were just as important in my life. For example, I saw The Phones as many times over the years as I saw any of these other bands. And I may not know much about the history of artists such as The Ticks or Crash Street Kids but I played those records to death over the years. Now here’s a bit of a disclaimer. I did switch away from Minneapolis for a long set of Sioux Falls bands, and other artists from places such as Austin, Minnesota and Cedar Falls, Iowa are represented. And technically The Hold Steady are a Brooklyn band. But Minneapolis certainly influenced all of the Sioux Falls bands I included, and […]

The Ledge #421: Don’t Stand So Close To Me

The Ledge #421: Don’t Stand So Close To Me

I understood pretty early on this week that it was going to be impossible to come up with a new theme this week. The pandemic is the only thing any of us are thinking about these days, especially with the situation being more grim every day.
Since last…

Live Ledge #376: 1984 American College Rock

Live Ledge #376: 1984 American College Rock

A look back at quite possibly the greatest year in independent college rock and roll.

Live Ledge #372: Midwest 1979

Live Ledge #372: Midwest 1979

An extended broadcast showcasing the 1979 Midwest indie rock scene.

Live Ledge #342: 1983

Live Ledge #342: 1983

This week we take a look back at the great indie, punk, and college rock from 1983!

Live Ledge #308: New Releases

Another set of fabulous new releases. 2017 has been great for new music!

Live Ledge #305: More New Releases

A continuation of last week’s action-packed new release show!

Live Ledge #304: New Releases

Live Ledge #304: New Releases

Two hours of great new releases, including tracks from the new live Replacements album.

Live Ledge #302: Grant Hart

Live Ledge #302: Grant Hart

This week’s show is dedicated to the late, great Grant Hart from Husker Du.

Live Ledge #280: 1987

Live Ledge #280: 1987

Tonight is a celebration of a momentous year for indie and alternative rock – 1987.

Live Ledge #232: 1986

Live Ledge #232: 1986

Host Scott Hudson shares some of his favorite bands and tracks from a very underrated 1986.

Live Ledge #219: Thank You Friends

Live Ledge #219: Thank You Friends

A post-Thanksgiving episode celebrating just a few of the artists I’m thankful to have in my life.

Live Ledge #215: Questions

Live Ledge #215: Questions

Nothing but musical questions tonight!

Live Ledge #214: 1980

Live Ledge #214: 1980

Live Ledge goes back to 1980 for two hours of punk, post-punk, and every other form of alt-rock from that year!

Live Ledge #213: Number Ten

Live Ledge #213: Number Ten

Continuing the series of shows devoted to track numbers, tonight’s show is nothing but the tenth tune off favorite old and new releases.

Live Ledge #210: By The Numbers, Part 1

Live Ledge #210: By The Numbers, Part 1

To celebrate a birthday, Hudson starts a two-part series where he plays one song from every year he’s lived.

Live Ledge #208: Number Eight

Live Ledge #208: Number Eight

Nothing but track eight’s to commemorate that we still have a couple days left in the eighth month of the year.

Live Ledge #201: Track Six

Live Ledge #201: Track Six

To celebrate the sixth month of the year, tonight’s show is nothing but the sixth tracks of fantastic albums.

Live Ledge #199: 1985

Live Ledge #199: 1985

Hudson takes a trip back 30 years to night with a show featuring nothing but music from 1985.

Live Ledge #198: Number 5

Live Ledge #198: Number 5

Since we’re in the fifth month of the year, why not a show dedicated to nothing but track five of some fantastic albums?

Live Ledge #194: Track 4

Live Ledge #194: Track 4

A simple premise – everything played tonight is the fourth track of the album they appeared on!

Live Ledge #190: Three In a Row

Live Ledge #190: Three In a Row

Nothing but classic albums with three classic songs in a row.

Live Ledge #186: Vinyl

Live Ledge #186: Vinyl

Scott plays tracks from his new obsession – vinyl records!

Live Ledge #164: Ian Astbury

Live Ledge #164: Ian Astbury

Ian Astbury of The Cult joins Live Ledge to promote his band’s  upcoming Sioux Falls performance.

Live Ledge #162: Tommy Ramone

Live Ledge #162: Tommy Ramone

The death of Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone inspires this tribute to the legendary band and musician.

Live Ledge #157: Threesomes

Live Ledge #157: Threesomes

In order to prove the theory that to be a great band you have to have a run of three classic albums, tonight’s show is nothing but trios of greatness!

Live Ledge #152: Fantasy Festival (Pt. 1)

Live Ledge #152: Fantasy Festival (Pt. 1)

In response to the horrors of Coachella, Hudson curates his own personal music festival.

Live Ledge #145: Requests

Live Ledge #145: Requests

Tonight, the playlist falls into the hands of the listeners!

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

An alphabetical trip through some of Hudson’s favorite bands.

Live Ledge #114: 1983

A celebration of a year that was very important for host Scott Hudson – 1983!

Live Ledge #111: Jukebox

Live Ledge #111: Jukebox

That beautiful 350 pound Seeburg Jukebox is the source of all the tunes tonight.

Live Ledge #105: Then And Now

Two tracks per artist – one old and one new. It’s a simple concept, but fun!

Live Ledge #100: Falls Landing

Live Ledge #100: Falls Landing

To celebrate the 100th episode, Hudson took the show on the road to Falls Landing to play nothing but his favorite songs of all time.

Live Ledge #99: Lonely Boy

To “commemorate” a phony holiday, tonight’s show is an anti-Valentine’s Day show with nothing but “lonely” songs.

Live Ledge #88: The In Crowd

A jam-packed show tonight, full of new tunes, blog finds, and discussions of the Hostess situation and the new Rolling Stones documentary, Crossfire Hurricane.

Live Ledge #81: Family Tree

Besides the usual new releases, blog finds, and old faves, tonight’s show features a number of “family trees” – sets that include spinoffs and solo projects of some of my fave bands.

Live Ledge #80: Life Story (Pt. 1)

With a big day coming up this week, host Scott Hudson has selected one song per year that he has been alive. Sunday’s Rural Ledge-ucation will conclude the series.

Live Ledge #71: Cruel Summer

The longest day of the year has inspired the longest Ledge show – 44 tracks of summer-related tunes!

Live Ledge #69: I Need That Record

After two themed shows, the new releases and blog finds piled up. Tonight we unload tons of brand new music!

Live Ledge #63: Gorman Bechard

Author/director Gorman Bechard appears to talk about his upcoming Grant Hart documentary, along with updates on Color Me Obsessed and his Archers of Loaf concert movie.

Live Ledge #60: 1987 (Again)

Scott once again goes back a half-life for songs from a decadent year.

Live Ledge #59: Lottery Win!

Scott spends two hours figuring out how to spend his half-billion dollar lottery proceeds!

Live Ledge #58: Kickstarter

Besides a setlist of primarily new finds, there’s also a discussion of the Kickstarter fund for a documentary on Grant Hart.

Live Ledge #53: Rawk!

Shocking more than a few people, Hudson cranks up the amps tonight for lots of pure RAWK!

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