Impaler, Dumpster Juice, and Fret Rattles at the Turf Club
Review by: Dan Michener, Writer/Photographer @insomniac199
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Minnesota has, “two winters.” There is the Pre-Christmas Winter, which takes us through New Years Day. Even if Christmas isn’t your thing; you have to admit the lights are kind of cool. Although many lament the sounds of Christmas music everywhere, once in a while you’ll hear a gem (I didn’t know until this past year Billy Idol has a Christmas album).
Then there is the Post-New Year’s Winter. It’s gray, it’s very, very cold and as people take down their lights and decorations, and trees get tossed into the back alleys of the Twin Cities, the world seems bleak. So certain types of music just hit different this time a year.
On February 11th, the legendary Twin Cities heavy metal band, Impaler, celebrated 40 years of mayhem and gore. Drawing on early 80’s death metal and hard rock bands like Motorhead, Ozzy Osborne, Slayer, and others, Impaler doesn’t disappoint. The carnage was unleased at the historic Turf Club in St Paul.
The sound was excellent, the lights perfect and the band was just on fire. With their combination of horror movie theatrics, guitars, crushing bass and pounding drums, even the unfamiliar are in for a good time. Their tight stage presence drew the faithful Impaler army close to the stage, screaming with heavy metal salutes to the Minneapolis Rock-Gods
Preceding Impaler was, and I kid you not this is their name, “Dumpster Juice.” Sludge-Rock at its finest. Like a steamroller crushing the unsuspecting, Dumpster Juice delivered a solid set. Their secret weapon is taking their craft seriously, but not taking themselves serious. Watching them, you can tell they are just plain having fun.
Opening the night was Minneapolis’ Rock n Roll powerhouse, “Fret Rattles.” A bit punk, a bit hard rock, lots of rock-crunch in all the right places. With Jason Mederios (the guy with the green hair) on lead guitar, the band gives it’s audience no mercy. With hard-hitting tracks like, “Rat,” they are proof rock n roll lives and breathes in Minnesota.
But don’t forget about DJ Rock the Monkey, featuring Chad (from Fret Rattles) and his smarter and better-half, Tracy. Getting the crowd in the mood for live music with a tasteful selection of punk and metal.
Because of their power, shock and speed, bands like this, might put some people off, but one thing about shows like this and the loyal fans who have been turning up for years, is you’re surrounded by some of the nicest, most decent people you could ever meet. There is no attitude. People are there to enjoy the show, bond with fellow death metal enthusiasts, and forget about the cold winter outside.
Words and pictures don’t do nights like this justice, they are truly an experience. I encourages you to brave what’s left of the dreary winter, navigate the cities potholes, and pay a small fee to enter and witness yet another example of what makes live music and local bands so amazing in Minnesota.
