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Peelander-Z bewilder crowd

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“How do you like your steak?”

“Medium rare!”

This exchange would generally indicate an overzealous customer’s preference of cooked meat at the Texas Roadhouse, but on Oct. 18, at The Aquarium in downtown Fargo, it meant something entirely different: Peelander-Z was in town.

Peelander-Z, a self-described “Japanese action comic punk band,” have carved a niche for themselves through outlandish performances complete with color-coded aliases, an array of costumes and contra dancing.

Galactical allegations

The band claims to be from the “Z area of Planet Peelander,” though members Kengo Hioki (AKA Peelander-Yellow, lead vocals and guitar) and Kotaro Tsukada (AKA Peelander-Red, bass and backing vocals) are natives of Japan. However, the band was formed in 1998 in New York City, where the group is still based. Akihiko Naruse (AKA Peelander-Green, drums) joined them on drums in July 2008 after former drummer Kazuki Yamamoto (AKA Peelander-Blue) left after being married.

FUP and The Guys collaborate

The locals are loko

To match Peelander’s absurdist behavior, local openers FUP and The Guys faced off in a “battle set.” After FUP, a duo that sings nonsensical lyrics over simplistic and pre-recorded music, performed one of their original songs, The Guys would immediately follow them and cover the same song with live instruments in a typical four-piece band arrangement. At the end of the battle the two groups collaborated for a final number…another FUP song. Hilarity was high even before Peelander took the stage near midnight.

Let the games begin

From the onset, Peelander was successful in making a crowd of about 30 feel five times as big. Simple dancing and hand motions gave way to full-fledged chaos. Peelander-Green stood on the drums with a tag board sign that read “Mad Tiger” and soon after Peelander-Red slipped into a giant squid costume and jumped into the crowd. Peelander-Yellow followed suit, purveyor of the all mighty tiger mask. Peelander-Green and Peelander-Yellow then incited a game of limbo with the audience, walking back and forth between the walls with a length of an unknown material, likely from the Z area of Planet Peelander.

Raucous not righteous

Peelander’s merchandise seller, presumably Peelander-Pink, joined the lone touring guitarist on stage as the three official Peelandarians spurred the crowd into a dancing circle, part bunny hop, part drunken stumble.

Peelander-Red avoided the confines of the stage for over half the set by using a wireless guitar system. The dancing circle converged on Red and the raucous crowd lifted him within inches of the ceiling.

The band powered through gimmicky and hilariously titled songs after Peelander-Red returned to the stage. They remained onstage for an amazing (for them) ten minutes blazing through such anomalies as “Ninja High School,” “Super Health” and the aforementioned “S.T.E.A.K.”

More Hijinks

More tag board signs were held up signaling their final act. A sign reading “Guitarist needed” was followed by similar signs substituting “Guitarist” with “Bassist” and “Drummer,” respectively. Members of FUP and The Guys were called onstage to fill in on the instruments as the Peelander-Yellow transformed via costume into a human bowling pin while Peelander-Red returned to his role as the giant squid.

FUP filling in for Peelander-Z

A precarious game of “human bowling” followed. Ten pins were set up on the floor below the front of the stage. The crowd cheered as the giant squid rolled through the pins, a perfect strike, and the human bowling pin jumped fervently, blinded by the costume.

Bemusement at bar close

The Peelandarians distributed drumsticks and aluminum bowls to the crowd and returned to the stage to play their final song. The crowd, bemused and merry, banged along to the final notes, honorary members of the Z area of Planet Peelander.

Bringing Pub Music to Fargo

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Story and photos by Mark Matsuura

MSUM Mass Comm Major

The Dirty Hurlers are a local beer-fueled Irish pub band. “We play a mix of contemporary and traditional Irish music,” John Rian, the band’s co-leader, said, describing the band. Their musical influences range from modern Irish music like Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys to the more traditional music of The Dubliners and The Pogues. Their choice of playing Irish music is an odd choice but Rian found a lot of inspiration.

A poster for a past gig hangs in the garage next to a beer light.

What Inspires The Hurlers

The inspiration to play Irish music came from John Ria’s love of the special kind of life contained in Irish music. “I like the folk aspect of the music” said Rian. Rian’s always liked Irish music, finding an interest in the music after watching many of the old John Wayne movies set in Ireland. Rian thought of the name, the Dirty Hurlers, after watching the movie “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” and seeing people play hurling, the traditional Irish game, on the screen. The name encompasses the bands overall style. The band is already more than three years old.

The Dirty Hurlers practice in their garage on a chilly night.

Dirty Hurlers Irish Roots

John Rian and his roommate Ben Revier founded the Dirty Hurlers in the fall of 2007 in their living room. Early on the two started playing with another one of their roommates by learning chords on the Internet and listening to YouTube videos, emulating what they heard.

Ben Revier plays the tin whistle during practice.

Dirty Hurlers Makeup

The Dirty Hurlers currently has five members. John Rian is the lead singer and a co-founder of the band. Ben Revier plays the tin whistle and does vocals, he co-founded the band with Rian. Sir Ian Derkin, as the band members know him, is the lead guitarist. Chad “Doctor Fiddle” Bonski, as his nickname alludes, plays fiddle for the Dirty Hurlers. And Tyler “Digits” Hamre is the band’s drummer and plays mandolin also. They are currently auditioning female vocalists to round out their sound.

The band has gone through many changes in members throughout the years. At one point the band had seven members, including two fiddlers at the same time. “It was impossible for all seven of us to make it (to practice),” Rian said. Weekly practice works for them now to keep the 50 or so songs they know fresh. Constantly refining their sound practice is often hectic.

Tyler "Digits" Hamre plays the mandolin.

The Bands Interesting Instruments

The band uses many instruments that aren’t contained in many other bands, including some traditional Irish instruments. Some of them include: a bodhran, practice chanter, mandolin and fiddle. The bodhran is a traditional Irish drum made of goatskin stretched over a wooden drum. The fiddle is also a staple in all of their songs adding a traditional sound.

Sir Ian Derkin plays the guitar during band practice.

The Dirty Hurlers are playing their next local show downtown at the VFW on Friday at 10 p.m. The Dirty Hurlers always bring their blend of modern and traditional music with their own edge.

Listen to their music on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thedirtyhurlers

Become a fan of the Dirty Hurlers on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dirty-Hurlers/23196901528

Human Baggage parlay Fargo

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Justin Bohmer of 19XX

Monday nights in downtown Fargo are not exactly notorious for being chock full of non-stop good times. This is especially true when it comes to a good punk show.

When I got a phone call in late August from a member of the Oakland-based band Human Baggage my instincts told me that I should probably tell them to spend the night driving through to Montana.

I instinctively ignored my instincts and had a show for them booked in the basement of the VFW building in downtown Fargo within a couple days.

Off to an early a late start

10 p.m.: I arrived at the VFW approximately 30 minutes before show time to help set up the PA that I’d borrowed from local band Ceiling Walker. We worked together to scrounge up extension cords, lights and speakers that were lying around the basement’s main room and adjacent storage space.

10:15 p.m.: Professionals we were not, but with a little work the stage, or rather dance hall floor, was ready and set for the night’s festivities. It was only a matter of playing the waiting game to find out if any would show up.

10:45 p.m.: About 10 people were mingling in the basement casually sipping on $3.25 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon, while another 10 huddled outside with cigarettes in hand, as Ceiling Walker made final adjustments before commencing the night’s festivities.

Let the show begin

11:00 to 11:30 p.m.: Ceiling Walker pounded through their brand of heavy and intricate hardcore. Fiery riffs led into melodic interludes with anguished yelling interspersed throughout. Guitarist Clint Kliewer and drummer James Dravitz exuded a noted awkwardness between songs though the minimal stage banter was about to be starkly contrasted by the next act, locals 19XX.

Clint Kliewer of Ceiling Walker

11:50 p.m. to 12:20 a.m. About an hour prior to the beginning of their set, I walked by 19XX guitarist Chris Martini teaching some songs to fill-in bassist James Osborne. The direness of the situation was explained moments before their first song. Vocalist Justin Bohmer explained that Osborne had taken on duties as tonight’s bass player about three hours before the show.

Nevertheless the four-piece, joined by drummer Matt Novak, launched into a hilariously unrehearsed cover of Judas Priests’ “Breakin’ the Law.” The song ended about 90 seconds later.

Chris Martini of 19XX

From there, the group attempted to tackle covers of other Fargo punk bands, some of which were former and current endeavors of 19XX members. After taking a seat in bar stools that were dragged on-stage to “bring things down a little,” Martini and Bohmer performed “Taco Bells are everywhere,” a duet consisting of lyrical imagery from the movie “Demolition Man.” Osborne stood idle the whole time unaware of what chords were being played.

By this time the crowd of about 25 was laughing louder than the band was playing.

“This song is about ‘Demolition Man’ too,” Martini said, “and that’s ‘t-o-o,’ as in ‘also.’”

Following the second song about “Demolition Man,” a microphone stand flew across the room spilling a full beer in the process. Bohmer ran to pick it up and then rushed back to the front to finish their closing song, another attempt at “Breakin’ the Law.”

Bohmer and Martini perform "Taco Bells are everywhere"

Please direct your attention to the main stage dance floor

In good spirits, the crowd dispersed as Human Baggage prepared to play the final set of the night.

In talking to drummer Jaime Clark on the phone, she struck me as a becoming individual. Her politeness was one of the main factors in motivating me to get the show booked. As a local promoter for underground punk shows since 2006, I have dealt with bands who seemed ungrateful and acted as if playing Fargo was a waste of their time. Human Baggage was not one of these bands.

12:40 to 1:15 a.m.: The crowd was instantly enthralled from the first moments of Human Baggage’s set. Clark and guitarist Nick Wortham craft a unique blend of punk and avant-garde elements leaning heavily toward no wave.

Twigs & Mud – Human Baggage

Nick Wortham (foreground) and Jaime Clark of Human Baggage

The duo’s male and female vocals worked separately and together to create an abrasive presence. The pounding drums kept an anxious rhythm while the caustic guitar carried the melody.

Two Cities – Human Baggage

Members of the audience yelled for more songs at the end of their set at which time the band divulged that they had played all seven or eight songs that they knew. People descended on their merchandise table shortly thereafter to purchase t-shirts and cassettes.

1:25 to 1:35 a.m.: In another group effort, we worked to dispose of the empty beer cans that littered the space and returned the stage and sound equipment to their respective places.

On my way out, I talked to bartender Paul Evans who worked in the basement that night. He was apologetic that more people hadn’t shown up but I assured him that the band had and would be taken care of.

Human Baggage

I raced up the steps and out into the back alley where some show attendees lingered as Human Baggage loaded their equipment into their van. It was discussed earlier that they wouldn’t mind spending the night in town and I offered them the basement of my house.

The Monday night in Fargo turned out better than I expected, and as I walked down the alley to The Empire for last call, I knew it wasn’t over yet.

____________________________________________________________________

Cheap Girls are worth the money

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The Aquarium in downtown Fargo hosts a minimal crowd of seemingly disenfranchised 20-somethings, those looking for rest and recovery in the form of rock and roll and spiced rum on this Wednesday night.  The small crowd is huddled in its cliques while those downstairs at Dempsey’s are oblivious to it all. The more curious of them will trickle upstairs at some point during the night.

Lansing, Michigan’s Cheap Girls is sandwiched on the bill between local pop punkers The Babysitter’s Club and blues rockers Hacienda of San Antonio. A perfectly good bill for any Wednesday night.

Warriors of the open road

Cheap Girls play an infectious brand of power pop with a punk edge ala Dinosaur Jr., Superchunk and Smoking Popes. Brothers Ben and Ian Graham, drummer and bassist/vocalist respectively, formed the band in 2007. Guitarist Adam Aymor joins the two.

Though they’ve toured the United States and England, this is their first night in Fargo. Their last show was in Missoula, Mont., two days prior, a nearly thousand-mile drive. They opted to take a day off and camp in eastern Montana to break up the drive. This haul was indicative of the first few days of their two-week tour.

“In two weeks we covered as much distance as most bands would take a month to,” Ian Graham said.

A long journey well worth the trip

From their home in Michigan they headed west hitting spots in Illinois, Kansas, Colorado and Arizona before reaching San Diego.  The four-day trek was made in order to reach San Diego in time to play Awesome Fest.

In its fourth year, Awesome Fest hosts over 50 bands and a few hundred people over one weekend.

Though they only made it in time to play the final night, they were anything but disappointed.

Fun at the fests

After Awesome Fest the band headed up the West Coast to Portland where they played Music Fest Northwest. MFNW hosts over 150 bands and 20,000 people. Unlike Awesome Fest, they aren’t specific to punk music and cover a wide variety of genres. This year’s headliners included The Smashing Pumpkins, Sleep, Panda Bear and The Decemberists.

In late October the band is slated to play The Fest 9 in Gainesville, Fla, for the third time. The Fest is notorious for being an event where punks from across the country and world take the streets of humble, college-town Gainesville.

“Last year was crazy,” Ben Graham said, “I remember standing in the doorway of a hotel room, we were just drinking beer, but other people were doing awful things to the room.”

Nothing beats a small crowd

Festivals and debauchery aside, Cheap Girls played a notably more sober set in Fargo to a notably smaller crowd. Blazing through a 12-song set in 30 minutes, they kept the audience attentive.

“Tonight’s show was great,” Ian Graham said, “We’ll play anywhere: basements, art spaces, small clubs, big venues. But small clubs like this are always my favorite because it’s like the places we hang out in at home.”

Cheap Girls Fargo stop was the last of their two-week tour. Ahead of them another nearly thousand-mile drive back to Lansing.

____________________________________________________________________

Taking the dive

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Story and photos by Ben Karkela
MSUM mass communications major

Sometimes after a long day, a strong drink sounds very, very good. The local dive provides a place to sit down and have well-deserved drink at a reasonable price.

This is not to say a "dive" is a bad thing. A dive can be classified as a bar with no dress code, casual atmosphere and cheap drinks. They are not the fanciest establishments in town, but that’s not the point. In downtown Fargo-Moorhead, three bars come to mind: The Empire Tavern and the Bismarck Tavern in Fargo and Mick’s Office in Moorhead.

Beer, and plenty of it

Need a beer to go? Just go next door to the liquor store on the way out.

The Empire Tavern and Liquor store opened in 1932, originally as a diner that also served liquor known as the Empire Cafe. In 1943, the liquor store opened and it became the establishment seen today in 1964.

This combination attracts thirsty patrons from all over. The crowd is lively and approachable. A combination of college students and middle-aged patrons make up the clientele.

The booths are uncomfortable and the service is good, not great. This is the perfect place to spend the evening drinking and wash away all worries.

"There’s kind of a trend that the farther north you head on the strip (in Fargo), the grade of the bar goes down," Kyle Olmstead said. "It can be fun and it can be more relaxing."

The Empire Tavern and Liquor lights up Broadway.

An old-school feel

On the north edge of the revitalized Fargo downtown sits the Bismarck Tavern. It seems to have missed out on all the renovations going on around it, but it remains true to itself. Despite the smoking ban, it stills feels smoky inside. Pull-tab tickets line the floor and a beat-up pool table sits in the back.

"It tends to not get too crowded so it can be a good time," Casey Thielges said. "For what you get the price is very reasonable, it’s definitely worth your money."

The Bismarck Tavern generally serves an older crowd who are friendly, but wary of newcomers. College students usually stop by on weekend nights and a place at the bar or tables can usually be found without waiting.

The booze here will make even a seasoned drinker pucker up after taking sip. Often times the drinks served at a dive bar are notorious for their strength.

 Patrons line the bar at the Bismarck Tavern.

If these walls could talk

Mick’s Office fits snugly between the railroad tracks and Taco John’s in downtown Moorhead. This bar also serves a mixed crowd from anyone 21 years old and up. The college students most likely attend Concordia or Minnesota State University Moorhead.

At Mick’s, the writing is on the wall, literally. The ceiling is covered with graffiti from years past. Visitors could spend the entire night reading all the signatures on the walls and get a good idea of the social history of Fargo-Moorhead.

Mick’s Office also cooks up delicious cheeseburgers and fries, served until 9 p.m. They are simple and straight to the point, much like a dive bar itself.

Mick’s Office serves up beer, burgers and fries.

The best pizza in town

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By Ben Karkela
MSUM mass communications student
All photos by Amita Manandhar, MSUM

 


Bryce Kulas throws the pizza dough in the air. Kulas said the dough
can be unforgiving at times.

It sits quietly on the corner of Broadway and Third Avenue North. A small, unassuming, brick building that passers-by might not give a second glance. But what might not catch their eyes will surely appeal to the sense of smell.

The aroma trailing around the corner grabs attention of pedestrians and lures them to the window. What they see lures them inside.

This building is home to Sammy’s Pizza and Restaurant. When it opened in 1956, it was the first pizza place in Fargo. The kitchen sits in the front corner of the building, allowing people walking on the street to peek in and see the perfectly cooked pizzas being pulled out of the oven.

Andrea McGinnity cleans up the prep area. Besides tasty pizza, Sammy’s is also famous for its open
window where patrons can see workers making pizza dough.

The first pizza place in Fargo

When it opened, people in the area probably didn’t know much about pizza. Letting them see the product being made in front of their own eyes helped sell the idea to the community.

Despite being the first restaurant to bring pizza to Fargo, it remains one of the best-kept secrets to many people in the area. Those who are familiar with the pizza keep coming back for more.

"Most of the people that come in here, they’ve become friends," owner Teresa Tilock said.

Over the years, Sammy’s developed fiercely loyal customers, many of whom are on a first-name basis with the staff.

Patrons enjoy the pizza. Sammy’s Pizza does bring people together.

A place for family and friends

Tilock and her husband, Peter, bought the restaurant in 1979. They’ve carried on the proud family tradition ever since.

"We’re not your typical restaurant," Tilock said. "We’re kind of like ‘Cheers,’ but we serve pizza."

Most of their business comes from families who have frequented Sammy’s for years. The intimate setting and passion put into the pizza makes it the perfect setting for family get-togethers.

Once inside, the heat from the ovens and the sight of warm, gooey pizza welcomes customers. The thin-crust pizza includes sauce with a special blend of spices and cheese baked until it has a glowing golden color. The pizza itself is cut into small squares, perfect for customers to pop in their mouth.

Kulas cuts the takeout pizza just removed from the oven.

A cozy atmosphere

The booths and tables exude a certain character. Many laughs and stories have been shared in this dining room. They remind one of good times spent with good friends while eating good food. Old vinyl records line the walls and red-checkered cloth helps divide the booths.

It’s cozy. It’s comfortable. It feels like home.

College kids often frequent Sammy’s as well. For one group, it has become custom to bring their friends to Sammy’s when they turn 21 years old. It’s where they like to start off the celebration with pizza, beer and wine.

"When college kids come here they feel like they’re part of the place," Tilock said.

With a friendly staff and home-like atmosphere, how could they not?

Kulas and McGinnity clean up after patrons leave.

Family operated

The Tilocks employ a small staff, most of them part of the family. Their nephew, Bryce Kulas, currently helps out in the restaurant. He learned how to make pizza from the best in the business.

"We focus more on the taste than looks," Kulas said.

Sammy’s Pizza and Restaurant has 17 locations across North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

 

Kulas says that working for his aunt and uncle is fun. Here, he waits for a pizza to finish baking.

Kulas slides the pizza into a takeout box.

The pizza is then cut into small squares after it leaves the oven.

The ceiling at Sammy’s Pizza was built by an Indian architect. The irregular shaped blocks are said to
capture the sound.

A customer picks up her last piece.

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