PBS’s Minnesota Hardcore documentary is streaming now, featuring Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, and more
Hüsker Dü photo by Shelly Hawes.
PBS is diving straight into the fast and chaotic world of ’80s underground punk and hardcore with Minnesota Hardcore, a new documentary series focused on the scene in the Twin Cities from 1980 to 1985 that brought us bands like Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Rifle Sport, Willful Neglect, Iron Fist, and more.
There are seven episodes to date, including an entire episode on Hüsker Dü, “The Fastest Band in the World.” Each episode features rare concert footage and flyers, along with new interviews with a huge swath of musicians, fans, and promoters. It’s incredible to see this vital scene getting such a thorough retrospective (and from PBS no less)!
Check out a trailer for the series below.
The Minnesota Hardcore episodes are currently available to stream for free via the Twin Cities PBS site.
Remembering how I shot HUSKER DU as second video camera for friend Joe Rees/Target in SF, when band played a North Beach club. Lots of cigarette smoke swirling around where I was, UP NEAR CEILING on a ladder to get the good shots! In 1979 I made a movie called EMERALD CITIES (©1983) with help from Joe, featuring bands FLIPPER and THE MUTANTS (band’s footage shot @Target).