Girl at the Rock Shows

Who do you want to be when you turn 50? I honestly haven’t given it much thought. 50 feels so far away, and since I just turned 37, it is, but life feels like it’s moving super fast lately, so really, is it that far away? I saw on Saturday what I want to be at 50, and that is at least half of the badass, amazing, humble, talented, and beautiful Christy Costello.

Saturday was Christy’s 50th birthday bash at Grumpy’s, a small dive bar in Northeast Minneapolis, but this wasn’t a typical birthday bash; it was a birthday bash turned up to 11, both literally and figuratively. Instead of just throwing a party, Christy booked a show (because on top of everything else this amazing woman is, she is also a booking agent). It was open to the public, but you had to act fast on tickets because this lineup, mixed with all the people who love Christy, meant the show was bound to sell out super quickly. Thankfully, I move quick and snatched up tickets the second I saw the show get announced. Sure, I was there for the music, as I don’t know Christy much more than in passing and just through all of her various endeavors throughout the local music scene, but by the end of the long and exhausting day, I realized that without her bright smile and warm hugs being shared throughout the crowd, this show wouldn’t have been as special as it was. I could go on and on about Christy and the amazing woman and true force that she is, but this blog is about music, so how about I stay in my lane and tell you about all of the amazing bands that played instead of spending this entire post talking about Christy (although I easily could).

Typical Girl at the Rock Shows warning here: there were a bunch of bands on this line-up, so I promise to keep things brief here so as not to keep you reading all day or, probably more realistically, not lose your interest.

Kicking the day off was Off Planet. Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I had taken advantage of an early morning with some downtime and visited a local watering hole for a few brunch cocktails that turned into one too many. We had to take a quick nap before appearing back in public, so we missed a lot of Off Planet but made it in time to hear some of their last songs while I got my cameras all set up. I instantly regretted it because the sound that I heard was on point and the energy on the lawn right next to Grumpy’s was electric, even though it was early in the day. My sincerest apologies to Off Planet, but I promise that I will catch them in the future!

The first band I got to see a full set from was Cheap Glue. I recently caught this band at Memory Lanes a few months ago and instantly became obsessed, so I was stoked for another chance to see them. Sonically, Cheap Glue reminds me of The Pink Spiders. It’s retro and has this classic kind of rock n’ roll soul behind it, but overall, their sound is super upbeat and infectious. Calling this group a power-pop band is probably the easiest way to describe them, but they definitely emphasized the “power” part of that when it comes to both their sound and their energy. Although I was still trying to shake off the nap I had just taken, Cheap Glue definitely set the tone for a day that would wind up being truly spectacular.

My heart broke when I saw that Murf broke up. This was a local band that definitely played to the beat of their own drum and always had a show that surprised and thrilled me. Thankfully, the breakup, although seemingly permanent, led to H.E.A.T, the next band that played on Saturday. Featuring some of the same members of Murf but just under a different name, it was clear that they were up to their usual antics. With the bassist and guitarist dressed up as sharks and then the vocalist dressed up as a captain, they jumped into an intense set of powerful and angsty music that both brings a smile to your face and also fills you with an undeniable sense of energy no matter how hot the sun is getting while they’re playing.

Tommy was up next. Like many of the bands on this line-up, I have seen Tommy before, but there was something just a bit more electric about their set on Saturday. Their punk-meets-power-pop sound felt on point, and although sound issues seemed to come and go throughout their set (and the entire day, for that matter), Tommy rolled with it and gave the audience a flawless set. Their songs aren’t just electric; they are catchy, and I was truthfully pretty bummed when they left the stage but also knew there were more amazing bands to come like Yesterday’s Numbers.

The stage in the small yard area next to Grumpy’s Northeast is not a big space, but that didn’t stop Yesterday’s Numbers. This eight-piece band filled the stage in the same way they filled the space with their sound. Yesterday’s Numbers is a bit of a super group featuring members of bands like The Soviettes, The Slow Death, The God Damn Doo Wop Band and so many more so, naturally, this band knows what to do and knows how to put on a show but what I love the most about them is the fact that, although there are clearly seasoned professionals on stage, there’s no lack of fun here. Whether it’s watching the gaggle of vocalists laugh and joke their way through the set or getting lost in Jesse Thorson’s raspy and perfect voice, there’s something for everyone when it comes to this band, and I loved it all.

I really need to dig a bit more into the old hardcore and punk scene of the Twin Cities. I had never heard of Iron Fist before, but as soon as they took the stage, I knew I was watching legends perform. With a second-wave hardcore punk kind of sound, this band was full of life and, surely, full of stories. You just knew that this band had seen some stuff and had some wild times by watching them, yet they came off as so accessible and humble. Their set was explosive and full of rage but also, like the other bands, full of fun.

Christy Costello and Laura Larson (the vocalist of Scrunchies, the next band to take the stage) have been friends for years, so it was no surprise that Scrunchies were part of this line-up, but that didn’t change how excited I was to see them perform. However, just a trio, the amount of power this band can bring to a stage is insane. Danielle on drums and Matt on bass are great, but it’s Laura’s energy that is bewitching in a way. You don’t just see or hear her sing words; you feel her, and although my energy level was starting to take a nosedive just due to being in the sun and the mistake of having a couple of drinks, Scrunchies kept me stuck in the palm of their hand.

Next up was the birthday girl herself, Christy Costello & the CC Club. Like Yesterday’s Numbers, Christy Costello & the CC Club filled up the stage with more people than I thought could fit. Although there were so many people and instruments on stage, this set was great, and I loved being able to hear all the elements that make up their sound, from the sax to the vocals. I know I should talk about the music here because, again, this is a music blog, but as great as the music was, I was more lost in just watching Christy and feeding off her energy. I won’t get into it all, but Christy has been through some hard times lately. That didn’t stop her from smiling all the way through the set and even cracking a few jokes here and there. Really, the music was the perfect backdrop for the set’s celebratory energy.

Closing out the birthday festivities on Saturday night was the mighty Daikaiju. A surf-rock band from Huntsville, Alabama, the talent behind this group is truly insane. As soon as they started playing, my jaw dropped to the ground. This wasn’t my first time seeing them, yet I feel like I just always forget the sheer talent behind this band until I get to see them live. The speed and precision that all four members perform with is absolutely insane, but it’s not just the music that gets people hyped about this band; it’s also the show. From lighting the cymbals on the drum set on fire to having the crowd hoist up the drummer and drum set so “the “Blast-Man” (the drummer) can play from the sky high above the audience, there’s just so much fun to be had here. Even with the schtick and even with all of the fire that ensues during a Daikaiju set, the band always keeps the music in the forefront, and even if a member is crowdsurfing their way around the audience, it seems like there is rarely a missed note.

Like so many other shows, there is so much that I left unsaid here, but truthfully, I have a full day ahead of me and another show to get to tonight, so I need to move on and get some stuff done. Ultimately, if you weren’t at Grumpy’s on Saturday, me rambling on about the feelings and the vibe of the day would mean nothing. If you were there, you felt it and don’t need my words to describe it. This was one of those shows where, if you missed it, I genuinely feel bad for you.

Before I close this out, let me say, Happy birthday, Christy! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your celebration and, more importantly, thank you for being you. Thank you for being the force of a woman you are, for being someone to look up to. I truly hope I am half the woman you are when I turn 50.

Line Up:

Off Planet

Cheap Glue

H.E.A.T.

Tommy

Yesterday’s Numbers

Iron Fist

Scrunchies

Christy Costello & The CC Club

Daikaiju

Venue: Grumpy’s

Smell-O-Meter: Cigarettes, Jazz Cigarettes, Beer, Sweat

Average Age of the Crowd: 42

Crowd Surfers- 6

Stage Divers- 0

Mosh-ability- 9 out of 10

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

Broken Bones- None

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Bodies and Cans

Fights- None

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Sausage-Fest Meter – 8.6 out of 10

Celebrity Sightings – Cindy Lawson; Members of Surrogates, Whiskey Rock N Roll Club MPLS, Battery Eyes; honestly, there were too many to list and even remember but the entire scene seemed to be out at this show

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

Off Planet – 0

Cheap Glue – 1

H.E.A.T. – 1

Tommy – 2

Yesterday’s Numbers – 2

Iron Fist – 0

Scrunchies – 3

Christy Costello & The CC Club – 3

Daikaiju – 1

Show on Deck – Naked Eyes / The Lamellas / The Dirty Pretty / Berv

Join My Patreon Here!

Buy Me a Coffee (Seriously!)

Check out my playlist HERE!