Straphanger

Founded in Grand Forks, ND in 1997, Straphanger drives the ladies crazy with their hard driving indie rock sound, and their utter dedication to cheap beer made in Minnesota. Becoming one of the longest running bands in ND. ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- "What a statement it is to hear a band that acts upon the sage knowledge that the surest path to social and artistic revolution is by example. It would be meaningless to say that Straphanger is a "political band," an "indie band," or a "______ band." How can one label describe what these three people do? It is inconveivable, really. It's just as useless to call Straphanger a guitarist, a bassist and a drummer instead of saying that it is an indistinguishable blur of melodies, aesthetic, politics, soundscapes, and attitude. Music that comes with an enlightened sense of awareness and consciousness is so rare and valuable in this day and age. They don't talk down to you, don't complain to you, don't tease you, don't offend you, don't coerce you, don't act dumb to entertain you, don't treat you like crap, or do any of the countless things that musicians do to their listeners. Straphanger simply come forward as a band, says "This is who we are." and do their thing. Theres nothing cutesy, dramatic, or appalliing about their approach. Some don't get it, because they don't understand that with such a free musical relationship comes responsibility on the listener's part. To be passive and "please, entertain me" about their music completely misses the point. Each song is an invitaion for you to engage them, to redefine what expectations you have about music. It's ok to avoid "hip-ness" and bob your head. Political music doesn't have to be all about slogans and shrillness. Rock music can be influenced by jazz, funk, and soul and still be rock music. Most importantly, the most subversive song might sneak up behind you and throttles you like a piece of '68 Situationist graffiti in Paris, such as this line once did to me: "Think of it as something lent and let the words just vent." In addition to being true to themselves and speaking their minds, with both instrument and mouth, they put themselves forward for worthwile community efforts, that dispaly clearly which side they're on. In short, they're on your side. It's important to appreciate the things they've stood for, received harsh criticism for, and the "opportunities" they've turned down since it didn't agree with who they are and what Straphanger is. For me, thats the sign of true musicians: there's no bullshit for miles around them. What else needs to be said to introduce one to Straphanger, except they've made me smile, laugh, cry, feel inpsired, feel both weak and undefeatable, and want to smash capitalism, all with a handful of musical notes? What more could one want from a band?" by Dana Williams, Akron OH, 2001