strock@fortune.UUCP (Gregory Strockbine) (12/21/84)
Husker Du does a version of the Byrd's "Eight Miles High" that sounds like they really are eight miles high and over a ball of confusion. I heard that song and a couple of other Husker Du songs on the radio, but what really made me go see them live was the following description in a local San Francisco newspaper: "Husker Du's double LP 'Zen Arcade' is close to the best record of the year. This post-punk Minneapolis trio operate a rock and roll trash compactor that forces hardcore adrenaline thrashing, nouveau psychedelia, political-folky wordiness and minimalism into one enormous sound. Their live show should be one of energetic abandon." They played at the I-Beam on Haight Street, around midnight, admission was $6, and I almost didn't get in because it was sold out. They were already playing when I got inside among the 200 or so people standing shoulder to shoulder in the cozy I-Beam. The music was so loud the hair on my arms stood up. The energy brought a smile to my face, it felt good. Husker Du's appearance is so ordinary looking. The drummer had long hair and the other 2 members just looked normal. Not punky, not new wave, no flashy, trendy clothes, no colored hair, no 'in' haircuts. But they put everything they had into their music. True I could only make out a word here and there, maybe it helps to listen to their album first. Around 1 AM they played "Eight Miles High", the only song I recognized, and when it was over I left. My ears were ringing, despite my makeshift earplugs. They continued ringing through the next day and I felt like shit, but somehow I'm glad I went.