Listen to interview
Watch video clips: 1 | 2 | 3One look at the lyrics of a song by The Hold Steady and you’ll soon realize you’re not in Kansas anymore. Or Minnesota for that matter. The Twin Cities transplants now call the bright lights of New York City home, but the unique storytelling found in their soulful melodies can be traced back to the band’s Midwest upbringing. The songs are powerfully raw, yet passionately precise. An in-depth look at everyday life in America.
On their latest effort, Boys and Girls in America, The Hold Steady are finding the commercial success to match the critical acclaim their first two albums drew. Named 2006’s Band of the Year by Blender and drawing comparisons to The E Street Band for their honest and humble approach to rock ‘n roll, The Hold Steady are poised to strip rock music back down to its simple beginnings. "(To) have a good time and hope other people have a good time too."
How much Mexican food and alcohol can $100 get you these days? Click here to see what The Hold Steady came up with.
Boys and Girls in America
"I think it’s more complete… this record. I know Separation Sunday got a lot of critical acclaim on its own, but I always kind of felt like, musically speaking, that was still a transitional record."
The Anti-Anti-Band
"I don’t think anti-band, I would say the opposite. I would say the sort of err band. The sort of plutonic feel of a band. Just four or five folks who get together and play unpretentious rock ‘n roll music and have a good time and hope other people have a good time too. I mean that’s sort of what it’s ideally supposed to be about, right? I mean if we’ve gotten to a point where that’s considered an anti-band then that’s just a diagnosis of the sickness."
Drugs, Sex and Rock 'n Roll
"Whether we’re living that right now or not, we’ve all certainly lived it and we know a lot of people who have as well… These are pretty universal experiences no matter what the politicians would like you to believe."
Making a Difference
"If I can get in front of 500 people and bring them some sort of joy and some sort of idea of that kind of togetherness and that kind of commonality that you have at a rock ‘n roll show, that accomplishes the same thing as best I can."
Songs in the Key of Love
"I think my record speaks for itself. I dress up. I’m a classy guy."
Alcohol
"Of course, we can play shows without booze. It’s just more fun if it’s there."
