This is about Murderapolis, a band that existed in Minneapolis, MN for a spell during the years 2000 – 2004, with roots going back to Eau Claire, WI.
Minneapolis has been called a few things in its day: “City Of Lakes”, “Mill City”, and dating back to the early ‘80s, the “Mini Apple”, which was regarded with disdain by more than a few residents, who resented the implied / imagined comparison to New York City. I’m not providing a reference to support this, because I was there. Ask me again, and I’ll say the same thing.
Moving forward to 2005, the Urban Dictionary cited Minneapolis as “the cultural capital of Minnesota, if Minnesota can be considered to have culture; it is also the only bastion of civilization between Chicago and Seattle”.
Ouch!! But wait – – there’s more!
A 1995 article in the Marietta, GA Daily Journal, described a perceived identity crisis held by some, regarding the 32nd state’s Capitol’s twin city:
“Minneapolis has a safe, staid image. The city of 368,000 has promoted itself as the “Mini Apple” — the Big Apple’s little sister, with many of the virtues and little of the vice.”
All well and fine, one might reckon, if one were to disregard the byline:
“Minneapolis heading for homicide record”.
Wait – – what??
Sadly, it was true – between 1990 – 1995, it seemed the murder rate in Minneapolis had increased by nearly 50 percent – ranking 46th in the US, and even surpassing NYC by 70 percent.
The reasons for this shocking turn of events could be debated ’til the cows came home, and even then, it seemed clear that there would be no simple solution by which this wound could be healed.
In times like these, one does what one can, and if you can’t make the problem go away, the next best thing seems to be to call it out for what it is, and that means using your words. After all, it has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword, so what have you got to lose? Microphone in hand, few seemed as ready and willing as Rick Fuller, joined by his band of merry cohorts, whose collective talents certainly seemed equipped for the task.
Rising from the ashes of the mighty Venison, Psychedelicates, Push On Junior, and Meat Raffle Road, to name but a few, a force would soon emerge that seemed prepared to provide a running narrative for the seemingly shattered environs of the Twin Cities, pulling no punches, while offering a trajectory of hope through those dark times.
Is it coincidence that within a year of this band emerging from the Badger State, by 2001, the homicide rate in Minneapolis had suddenly dropped to 42 percent – less than half the 1995 total? Could the butterfly effect of art and music really cause a shift in the energy of the world? Who can really say?
A quarter of a century later, the message is no less relevant, so with no further ado, I give you…. Murderapolis.
The Murderapolis extended family includes these fine folks at the helm:
Rick Fuller: vocals
Steve Santineau: bass
• [The Psychedelicates]
Matt Young: guitar
Jeff Robertson: guitar
Al Grande: guitar
Mike Pryztarski: drums
…with a little help from their friends:
Chrissy Romunstad: keys
Bryan Knisley: bass, sampling, vocals
• [Bayern Kurve, Meat Raffle Road, Moon Maan, Push On Junior, They Dead, Triple Gainer]
Be Parizek: drums
• [Push On Junior, Total Fat]
Mike Anderson: drums
Rick Lawrence: vocals
• [Meat Raffle Road]
What follows are a couple of live recordings which Rick Fuller has graciously allowed me to record back in the day, and to share on Live Music Archive with other past, present and future fans.
Murderapolis • 2000-07-15
Minneapolis, MN • 7th St. Entry
stereo audience recording
duration (37:14.63)
[01] start (00:58.08)
[02] Doomed (02:19.43)
[03] interim (00:18.59)
[04] Muskie Sucker (02:09.37)
[05] interim (00:46.16)
[06] Cyderwyld (03:25.73)
[07] interim (00:28.43)
[08] Springtime In Vienna [The Tragically Hip] (04:11.60)
[09] interim (00:22.02)
[10] Rape At Lilith (03:38.26)
[11] Northern Cross Arm Flex (04:42.18)
[12] Song For Pachinko (02:05.68)
[13] interim (00:52.64)
[14] The Ghost Of Tom Joad [Bruce Springsteen] (06:02.57)
[15] The Ray Cooper Sound (04:33.19)
[16] end runout (00:18.70)
Rick Fuller: vocals
Steve Santineau: bass
Matt Young: guitar
Jeff Robertson: guitar
Al Grande: guitar
Mike Pryztarski: drums
Bill:
Vaz
Murderapolis
Live Mix: Andy “Al” Gustafson
It seems that six songs from this recording ended up on Farting Thru Silk [tracks 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14]; leaving only three remaining tracks from this set unreleased.
Recorded / transferred / tracked / tagged by: J.Free / Sonic Archives
Download or stream the show from Live Music Archive
Murderapolis • 2000-10-27
Minneapolis, MN • 7th St. Entry
stereo audience recording
duration (41:33.54)
[01] start (03:03.40)
[02] Doomed (02:20.19)
[03] interim (00:23.21)
[04] Muskie Sucker (02:15.16)
[05] interim (00:23.64)
[06] Rape At Lilith (03:50.01)
[07] interim (01:17.66)
[08] Northern Cross Arm Flex (04:11.53)
[09] interim (01:04.14)
[10] Song For Pachinko (01:59.44)
[11] interim (00:29.50)
[12] Mr. Whitefolks (03:24.29)
[13] interim (00:34.35)
[14] Janet The Pig (04:18.48)
[15] interim (00:31.70)
[16] Hey! Student [M.E. Smith • The Fall] (05:36.74)
[17] interim (00:57.43)
[18] The Ray Cooper Sound (04:41.41)
[19] end runout (00:09.01)
Rick Fuller: vocals
Matt Caflisch: guitar, backing vocals
Al Grande: guitar, backing vocals
Jeff Robertson: guitar, backing vocals
Steve Santineau: bass, backing vocals
Dan Vickberg: drums, backing vocals
Tracks 12 + 14 appeared on the 2003 CD Learning To Be Arrogant.
I’m confused by the date for this set, as I also have a recording I made of Gnomes Of Zurich at Big V’s in St. Paul, which I listed as having the same date. I suppose it is possible that I could have attended both shows on the same night, but it seems unlikely.
There are some occasional instances which appear to be phasing issues, but are more likely me fidgeting with the channels while the show was being recorded.
Recorded / transferred / tracked / tagged by: J.Free / Sonic Archives
Download or stream the show from Live Music Archive
One more time (but it definitely won’t be the last) – it is well worth your time to track down any of the band’s releases:
Five of the earlier CDs and a couple of singles can be spotted on the discogs site
Download or stream all sets by Murderapolis from Live Music Archive
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