Wednesday, July 29, 2009

From Peace Lovin' Hippies to Tattoo'd Freaks...

by Doug MacRostie

Variety is the spice of life, so let's heat things up shall we? How about going from early 70's folk rock to modern metal? You might think it can't be done, but on Centerstage MN Thursday nights at 6 on KAXE everything is possible :D

To start, I'll be talking with Steve Downing from Grand Rapids. He is one of the original members of Jericho Harp, a late 60's and 70's folk-rock band out of the St. Cloud area. From the humble beginnings of a couple guys playing their favorite tunes around the college circuit, to being produced by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and then the strangest twist-of-an-ending you can imagine for a 70's rock musician...

Then I will be talking with JJ Snell, a local musician and promoter from Marcell, now in Grand Rapids. JJ will bring in a snapshot of the current MN metal scene, and it's guaranteed to get loud. JJ has played in various bands across northern MN and brings local and national artist to the Ground Floor and other area venues and I can't wait to hear his perspective on the MN metal scene.

To fill in around these conversations I'll play a couple of my fav performers from last weekends 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes. There were many excellent MN bands in the line-up; hmmm...which will I play...

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

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