Ten Thousand Lakes

I am in Minneapolis for work this week and caught The Hold Steady at First Avenue tonight. I haven't seen someone enjoy fronting a rock and roll band as much as Craig Finn since Pollard. He was in his full glory in front of the hometown crowd emphasizing the Twin City references (there are about ten in every song) and trotting out a Twins jersey. The band is from Brooklyn now but most of them grew up in Minneapolis and are quick to reference the bands that we love from the area, especially the Replacements. Pirner guests on the new record and I spotted Gary Louris from the Jayhawks in the crowd tonight. The records can be an acquired taste with their big riffs and Finn's love or hate vocal style, but The Hold Steady know how to put on a rock show and share their love of what they're doing with the crowd. It made for a good Wednesday night so far from home.