Girl at the Rock Shows

Friday was a wild day. I know it was a general strike day, what with it being May Day, but, for me, taking the day off was not an option. I had to go to work because, not only are we short-staffed at my day job, but I also need the money. I’m not proud of it, but it is what it is, and the second I left work, I was ready to exercise my rights and my thoughts by taking it to the streets. I didn’t have long at the May Day march, but the time I spent with other people from my community had me fired up and ready to continue with my night at a show that was not only a benefit for the ACLU-MN put on by The Minnesota Music Resistance, but a showing of the sheer talent and love that we have here in the Twin Cities.

Getting things started off right on the outdoor, Under the Canopy stage at The Hook and Ladder was the formidable Mary Cutrufello. Mary is a legend. There’s no other way to put it. Not only is she a fierce guitarist, but she is also an incredible songwriter and vocalist. This was only my second time being able to see Mary perform live, and I was not about to miss a single second of it. Her songs have a very 90s kind of vibe to them, but they also come with a heaping pile of angst and passion that makes her one of those kinds of musicians that you just can not look away from. The cold temperatures on the outdoor stage were definitely wreaking havoc on Mary’s guitar, but that didn’t stop her and her band from absolutely killing this opening set and setting the stage for the rest of this beautiful night.

Following Mary was a perfectly angsty set from Surly Grrly. I love these local rockers so much, and it’s been far too long since I’ve been able to see them, so this was a true treat. I loved that not only did I get to hear some old favorites from this local group, but also got to hear the future as they played through some brand new songs. With a little 80’s garage flavor with a little riot grrrl flare, Surly Grrly made their message clear– fuck men, fuck the patriarchy, and fuck everything. Okay, that’s really dumbing it down here. Truthfully, the thought that this group puts into their songs is so much more than just that, but, at the same time, it’s the kind of music that makes you ready to fight, and, in this day and age, and on May Day no less, it was absolutely perfect.

The fight against all things unjust continued as Cindy Lawson took the stage. Another personal favorite of mine, Cindy, is a true legend in the scene. From her solo work to her work with The Clams, which dates back to the 80s, Cindy is one of those performers who instantly draws you into her world and, once there, you never want to leave. I love how when you see Cindy and her band perform, you feel a sense of power and civil disobedience at times, but at the same time, you get this feeling of comfort and love that radiates every night. All of these things were true with Cindy Lawson’s set on Friday, and although it’s nothing really new with Cindy’s live performances, this, mixed with the overall vibe of it being May Day, made this set one to remember.

Los Pinches Güeys were the next band to take the Under the Canopy stage and the only act of the night that I had never heard of prior to this show. Their set was a surprise in more ways than one, and I loved it. Nothing about Los Pinches Güeys made sense to me, and that’s what made them so perfect. It was rock with a touch of metal, but it was also experimental with a taste of noise. It wasn’t one style, one flavor, one sound. It was a million different things all blended together to create a harmonious, albeit unique vibe. Honestly, it’s going to take me more than just one time of seeing this band to figure them out, so I don’t have much more to say about them at this time, but I am excited to spend some more time with Los Pinches Güeys and thrilled to see if I can ever figure out this truly unique local act.

Closing out the Friday night festivities was the Twin Cities’ own Venus DeMars. This isn’t the first time I’ve written about Venus, and it surely won’t be the last. I won’t give you all the background here because it would just straight-up take too long, but I will say that if you aren’t familiar with Venus or her story, you need to get familiar. She is a legend. A bona fide queen and a truly amazing human all around, with a story that should be shouted from the rooftops. Beyond that, she is also a legendary performer, and getting to see that live in person will never get old to me. Joined on stage by a drummer and bassist (who were absolutely amazing and just as stunning as Venus), Venus DeMars powered through a set that felt as powerful as it did impactful. There were moments during her time on stage that were so beautiful it took every ounce of me not to tear up. There were other moments during her set where I really wish the audience had been a bit younger and a bit more prepared for a pit. That’s the magic with Venus. She somehow makes you feel everything and nothing all at the same time. Her sets are a rollercoaster ride that comes complete with sparks and power tools (if you know, you know), and it’s a ride that getting off of seems to get harder and harder as the world gets just a bit crazier. It’s hard to find peace and solace in this day and age, but I promise that you will find it while watching Venus do what she was born to do- perform.

My night wasn’t just spent at this show. It was also spent photographing and supporting the march that I had started my afternoon at. My timing throughout the night was impeccable. I wasn’t just able to catch this concert,t I was able to catch a puppet show in the Target parking lot, a marching band playing in the lot next to Arbeiter Brewing, just a few doors down from the venue, and the feeling of Minneapolis (which is the strongest sense of community that you will ever feel). It was just a perfect night made even more perfect by the feeling of Front Row Paul being in the air.

I won’t go on super long about this, but Front Row Paul is a local legend who left us far too soon. He was a fan of all things local music and made it known. He supported the local music scene in more ways than I can even begin to list, and is someone that I truly look up to still. The Minnesota Music Resistance (the organization putting on the concert at The Hook and Ladder on Friday night) was his baby, his legacy. Paul wasn’t in the crowd in his physical form, but someone during the night said that they just hope Paul is looking down on this event and seeing what he created. Not only was Paul looking down, but he was also in attendance in the front row- where he always was and always will be.

Line Up:

Mary Cutrufello

Surly Grrly

Cindy Lawson

Los Pinches Güeys

Venus De Mars

Venue: The Hook & Ladder

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 50

Crowd Surfers- 0

Stage Divers- 0

Mosh-ability- 0 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- $0

Broken Bones- None

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Celebrity Sightings – None

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

Mary Cutrufello – 1

Surly Grrly – 6

Cindy Lawson – 6

Los Pinches Güeys – 0

Venus De Mars – 4

Show on Deck – Runaway Ricochet / Space Monkey Mafia / Malos Pasos / Joker’s Republic / The Doom stompers / Blue Driver

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