March 11th, 2011 The Black Eyed Snakes performed at a longtime hot bed of Duluth music, R.T. Quinlan’s. Youtube user duluthiscool was there with video camera in his hand and his eye on style.
Entries Tagged 'Media Type' ↓
The Black Eyed Snakes – “Bo Diddley”, 2011-03-11
March 15th, 2011 — duluth, r.t. quinlan's, the black eyed snakes, video
Retribution Gospel Choir Live at Kilby Court on April 16, 2010
April 23rd, 2010 — audio, kilby court, retribution gospel choir, salt lake city
I recently traveled to Salt Lake City to attend the Retribution Gospel Choir’s performance at Kilby Court, April 16th, 2010. Two opening acts performed followed by a set timing in just under an hour by RGC. Attendance was around fifty people, many of whom were obviously fans judging by their reactions to each song and by the informal chat sessions with the band following the show.
I recorded the fifty-three minute, twenty-four second set and have shared the audio on archive.org. To listen, use the embedded streaming functionality below, or download the set in it’s entirety from the archive.org set page.
Set page at archive.org:
Retribution Gospel Choir Live at Kilby Court on 2010-04-16
Photos from Flickr:
Retribution Gospel Choir Live at Kilby Court with last.fm event tag
Setlist:
01 Breaker (2:21)
02 Workin’ Hard (4:15)
03 White Wolf (4:42)
04 Poor Man’s Daughter (7:25)
05 They Knew You Well (2:55)
06 Take Your Time (3:56)
07 banter (2:16)
08 Hide It Away (3:07)
09 Your Bird (3:13)
10 Something’s Going to Break (2:49)
11 Electric Guitar (9:27)
12 banter (1:33)
13 Then She Turned Into (2:23)
14 ’68 Comeback (3:10)
Streaming Audio (53:56):
Retribution Gospel Choir covers the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo”
April 20th, 2010 — retribution gospel choir, video
I fear this could be one of the most controversial posts to ever appear on this blog.
From the Onion’s A/V Club. If you’re feeling up for hating on or defending this video, hit up the comments page over there as well. Pretty “vigorous” discussion already underway.
’68 Comeback / Workin’ Hard Music Video Released
March 12th, 2010 — retribution gospel choir, video
The third and fourth tracks off Retribution Gospel Choir’s album 2 have been released by Sub Pop Records. The track “Workin’ Hard” is preceded on the album by a short number called “’68 Comeback” which is also featured in the video in an interesting use of concert footage. The two tracks have significantly different feels and the videographer has captured this nicely.
The Current covers the Choir
February 18th, 2010 — audio, retribution gospel choir, video
Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current radio station recently featured an interview and in-studio performance with Retribution Gospel Choir, and the station’s weekly music talk show featured a discussion of “2.”
Interview, awkwardly facilitated by Mary Lucia:
Video of the band doing “Working Hard”:
And here is the Musicheads episode in which DJs Bill DeVille, Steve Seel and Jade discuss the album (segment starts at 16:45):
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Retribution Gospel Choir – Live at Casa del Popolo – Quebec
February 1st, 2010 — audio, casa del popolo, quebec, retribution gospel choir
RGC is currently on a world tour promoting their newest album, “2″ and the commentary from fans in attendance thusfar has been quite positive. People are commenting on Sparhawk’s intensity and are noting that bandmembers Pollard and Garrington have taken to displaying a vigor not previously seen. Having seen them play in December I too saw and felt this new dynamic and think the band is really coming together as a performing act.
At their recent appearance at Casa del Popolo in Quebec, Montreal, Canada Retribution Gospel Choir’s live set was recorded by an obviously skilled bootlegger. The recording was submitted to the Internet via a Bittorrent and then subsequently uploaded and shared via archive.org. The recording quality is superb, the setlist quality. Use the embedded streaming functionality below, or download the set in it’s entirety from archive.org on the Retribution Gospel Choir Live at Casa del Popolo on 2010-01-26 page.
Setlist:
01. Breaker (3:40)
02. For Her Blood (2:06)
03. Working Hard (2:08)
04. Hide It Away (3:19)
05. Poor Man’s Daughter (8:10)
06. White Wolf (2:27)
07. They Knew You Well (3:30)
08. Your Bird (4:26)
09. What She Turned Into (2:23)
10. Electric Guitar (8:45)
11. Take Your Time (7:36)
12. Kids (5:31)
Streaming Audio (53:56):
Retribution Gospel Choir – Private East Hillside Performance
January 19th, 2010 — article, duluth, house concert, retribution gospel choir
January 16th, 2009
Undisclosed Location
Duluth, Minnesota
by Ryan Dahlberg
“After receiving a message from fellow Post-Duluthian [and proprietor of this blog] Sam Haraldson, I had a feeling that this was [a] show not to miss.”
Soon to be embarking on a world tour, Duluth’s own Retribution Gospel Choir was scheduled to appear for a private performance somewhere in the East Hillside. Upon my walk through downtown to get to the show, I had the chance to make a few quick words with Aaron Molina, whom if you don’t know by now is credited with the artwork for RGC’s new album “2″.
After arriving shortly after 9pm and being greeted by open arms, not to mention the bonfire, and the kegs of Surly, the early attendees and I waited for the band to arrive while listening to my advance copy of the new album. As more people arrive the band appears. It quickly becomes 10pm as we watch the traffic from the front window.
It’s now 10:30pm, I have my camera in hand, and my Surly is on the mantle: it’s show time.

The band starts the show with their classic rock anthem “Breaker”. As the band plays on through to Midnight with a collection of songs from the new album, the band seems larger than life. Steve and Eric’s stage presence have now grown equal to, being previously shadowed [by] that of Sparhawk. Towards the end of their set, each member continues to be focused and still being able to feed the group empowerment.

This was truly a performance to remember. For more photos of the show visit Ryan’s Flickr Gallery
This has been a guest post by Ryan Dahlberg, maintainer of theduluthscene.org, hosting a broad array of aural and visual content relating to Duluth music and culture.
Low cancels a show; Retribution Gospel Choir tour; “Hide It Away” video; Low ballet at the Walker
January 14th, 2010 — low, retribution gospel choir, video
1.) Low’s “Quiet Please” theater-in-the-round concert at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis tomorrow night has been canceled due to illness. Too bad, but oh well. I was boycotting the show because the Varsity can suck it.
2.) In case you missed it, Retribution Gospel Choir has a pretty big tour scheduled for the next few months around the U.S. and Europe. They play the Triple Rock in Minneapolis in February. I will be out-of-town, which is unfortunate because the Triple Rock, unlike the Varsity, is a great place to see a show.
3.) Is that the shores of Lake Superior where Retribution Gospel Choir is burying their treasure in the video for “Hide It Away,” the first single off the upcoming album “2″? (Album is released Jan. 20)
4.) The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis will present a ballet based on the music of Low in March. I will be in town for this, and we already have tickets, because, well… because.
“Heaven explores the various manifestations of ecstasy—emotional, physical, and communal—present both in religious practices and in the ritualistic nature of dance in performance. Low’s Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker will perform the music and vocal orchestration they wrote for the work.”
Miramar Theatre, Milwaukee, WI (March 27, 1999)
January 11th, 2010 — audio, low, milwaukee
Very high recording quality of an excellent Low show from 1999, when they were still very much a band that played extremely quiet, slow music and their song titles were just one word.
Track listing:
- I Remember
- Starfire
- Don’t Understand
- Weight Of Water
- Violence
- Shame
- Fear
- Lust
- Immune
- Lion/Lamb
- Soon
- Home
- No Need
- Cut
- Missouri
Go to the show’s page on archive.org to download mp3s, etc.
Retribution Gospel Choir – 501 Club, Minneapolis
January 5th, 2010 — 501 club, article, minneapolis, retribution gospel choir
On December 19th, 2009 Retribution Gospel Choir played a live show at the 501 Club in Minneapolis, MN. Sam Haraldson was present and wrote the following review on Last.fm.
The show at the 501 was full of people who were definitely fans as I could see the emotion in their eyes and the mouthing of song lyrics around the room. Alan Sparhawk, Steve Garrington, and Eric Pollard played a set that was (in my opinion) far too short, leaving out a couple of tracks from the new album 2 which is to be released January 20th, 2010.
The set was similar to the live shows of the past six months that have bootleg recordings available, focusing on the same tracks. It was obvious the band had been in the studio as the numbers were very tight. RGC’s typical poppy, melodic verse-chorus-verse was dead on. But the real proof the band is tight came during their famous dubby, noisy, freeform interludes. There was emotion on their faces that poured out through their instruments and right into the minds and bodies of the audience.
A short encore closed the set and when asked to play more, Sparkhawk declined stating a long drive back to Duluth that evening as reason. The show was well worth listening to as will their upcoming sets and soon-to-be-released album.
View photos at Retribution Gospel Choir – 501 Club, Minneapolis Flickr page.
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Zen Identity; The Cove – Superior, WI; 1991
April 14th, 2009 — superior, the cove, video, zen identity
This is a re-post from the Perfect Duluth Day blog, Zen Identity – Superior, WI 1991 – Part 7, By Dan E. on Apr 13, 2009.
Zen Identity @ The Cove, Superior, WI – Spring 1991.
Zen Identity; The Cove – Superior, WI; 1991
April 14th, 2009 — superior, the cove, video, zen identity
This is a re-post from the Perfect Duluth Day blog, Zen Identity – Superior, WI 1991 – Part 6, By Dan E. on Apr 13, 2009.
Zen Identity @ The Cove, Superior, WI – Spring 1991.
Zen Identity; The Cove – Superior, WI; 1991
April 13th, 2009 — superior, the cove, video, zen identity
This is a re-post from the Perfect Duluth Day blog, Zen Identity – Superior, WI 1991 – Part 5, By Dan E. on Apr 13, 2009.
Zen Identity @ The Cove, Superior, WI – Spring 1991. Band members include Alan Sparhawk-Guitar, Bill Walton-Vocals, Rob Berry-Drums, David Daydodge-Bass.
Zen Identity; The Cove – Superior, WI; 1991
April 13th, 2009 — superior, the cove, video, zen identity
This is a re-post from the Perfect Duluth Day blog, Zen Identity – Superior, WI 1991 – Part 4, By Dan E. on Apr 13, 2009.
Zen Identity @ The Cove, Superior, WI – Spring 1991. Band members include Alan Sparhawk-Guitar, Bill Walton-Vocals, Rob Berry-Drums, David Daydodge-Bass.
Zen Identity; The Cove – Superior, WI; 1991
April 13th, 2009 — superior, the cove, video, zen identity
This is a re-post from the Perfect Duluth Day blog, Zen Identity – Superior, WI 1991 – Part 3, By Dan E. on Apr 11, 2009.
Zen Identity @ The Cove, Superior, WI – Spring 1991. Band members include Alan Sparhawk-Guitar, Bill Walton-Vocals, Rob Berry-Drums, David Daydodge-Bass.
Zen Identity; The Cove – Superior, WI; 1991
April 10th, 2009 — superior, the cove, video, zen identity
This is a re-post from the Perfect Duluth Day blog, Zen Identity – Superior, WI 1991 – Song #2, By Dan E. on Apr 10, 2009.
Zen Identity @ The Cove, Superior, WI. Spring of 1991. A few notes on this… ZI was opening for a band called “HEATâ€â€¦which was actually Quiet Riot. This was a multi-camera shoot (3 to be exact) all recording simultanisly to their respective VTR’s. This clip is taken from the Camera 2 position, which is center stage. The other angles are far left (Cam 1) and far right (Cam 3). The sound is a direct feed from the soundboard. ZI’s total set ran about an hour. This is the second song into the set…the first song had some audio issues for about a minute…I will try and repair that at later date. I plan on posting these in the original set order. I would ask Mr.Sparhawk to please comment on the title of each song as they are posted. Also Alan, if you could provide me with the band member’s names and the instrument they played, that would be most appreciated. At some point, I will edit all three cameras together so as to have a complete record of Zen Identity’s show of that night…but then again, I’ve been saying that for 18 years now. Enjoy!
Los Besos Videos; The Brewhouse – Duluth, MN; March 2009
April 8th, 2009 — duluth, los besos, the brewhouse, video
The blog, thedailystrife.com is proving itself as a great resource for video footage of Alan Sparkhawk’s projects. The videos below were filmed at The Brewhouse in Duluth, MN and are of Los Besos, a project between Sparhawk and Brad Ness.
Los Besos (Part 1 of 3) from The Daily Strife on Vimeo.
Los Besos (Part 2 of 3) from The Daily Strife on Vimeo.
Los Besos (Part 3 of 3) from The Daily Strife on Vimeo.
More Retribution Gospel Choir; Videos from Duluth, MN; March 7th, 2009
March 10th, 2009 — duluth, pizza luce, retribution gospel choir, video
The blog, thedailystrife.com has posted video footage of various Alan Sparkhawk projects, the latest of which was filmed at the Retribution Gospel Choir show at Pizza Luce in Duluth, MN on March 7th, 2009.
Retribution Gospel Choir from The Daily Strife on Vimeo.
Retribution Gospel Choir from The Daily Strife on Vimeo.
Retribution Gospel Choir; Videos from Duluth, MN; March 7th, 2009
March 10th, 2009 — duluth, pizza luce, retribution gospel choir, video
The blog, thedailystrife.com has posted video footage of various Alan Sparkhawk projects, the latest of which was filmed at the Retribution Gospel Choir show at Pizza Luce in Duluth, MN on March 7th, 2009.
Retribution Gospel Choir from The Daily Strife on Vimeo.
Retribution Gospel Choir Finishing New Album
February 5th, 2009 — article, retribution gospel choir
From the Low e-mail newsletter:
“…Alan’s side project, Retribution Gospel Choir, just finished tracking new material with Steve Albini in Chicago for an upcoming release — more to come on that soon. Best wishes for 2009 for you all.”
=Low HQ
Video of Low at the Knitting Factory in 1996
November 10th, 2008 — knitting factory, low, nyc, video
“Back in 1996, I was working as a producer, director, cameraman and lighting designer for Knit Media, creating live online content for the web. When one of my favorite bands Low booked an appearance, I jumped at the chance to produce and direct a live multicamera video of their performance.”
Lust:
Below & Above:
Cut:
(Amazingly, a vintage YouTube video that seems to have been posted by its original creator.)
The sunny morning dark and foreboding…
July 28th, 2008 — article, retribution gospel choir
“It’s about being so loud and so relatively ferocious that nothing hurts anymore.”
I don’t quite understand what a “Daytrotter session” is, but it recently featured some free songs by Retribution Gospel Choir and a strange and somewhat insightful essay on Alan Sparhawk. Cheers.
Retribution Gospel Choir – Europe, 2008
July 11th, 2008 — amsterdam, audio, düsseldorf, leuven, paradiso, retribution gospel choir, stuk, zakk
During an April 2008 European tour archive.org contributor, _tunic_ recorded three of Retribution Gospel Choirs’ shows at Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands on April 22nd, STUK in Leuven, Belgium on April 23rd and ZAKK in Düsseldorf, Germany on April 24th. The recording quality varies and the set lists are similar although these shows are worth a listen by fans of RGC live. Below are links to audio and photos from the three performances.
| Audio Recordings: Paradiso 2008-04-22 STUK 2008-04-23 ZAKK 2008-04-24 |
Photo Sets: STUK photo set ZAKK photo set |
Retribution Gospel Choir cover Bowie
June 13th, 2008 — retribution gospel choir, video
Classic RGC:
Alan Sparhawk – Whole Music Club
May 30th, 2008 — alan sparhawk, audio, minneapolis, video, whole music club
Alan Sparhawk played a few songs and talked about Low, music, song-writing, gear and lots more October 10, 2007 at the Whole Music Club’s “Making Music” series.
Click here for a list of video and audio recordings from the event.
Retribution Gospel Choir – Duluth, MN
March 11th, 2008 — audio, duluth, pizza luce, retribution gospel choir
To officially release their new self-titled album to their hometown of Duluth, MN, Retribution Gospel Choir fired up a forty minute, eleven song set at Pizza Luce on Saturday, March 8th, 2008. The first ten songs of the set was a nearly verbatim performance of the band’s new album which they followed up with an encore of Poor Man’s Daughter.
Either use the built in player below or download the file directly from archive.org 70.3 mb VBR .zip
Los Besos – The Brewhouse
February 21st, 2008 — audio, duluth, los besos, the brewhouse
There was tiredness for myself and myself this evening so I set out the recorder to capture the set while we were having dinner. My apologies for the jackasses at the next table getting drunk and ruining a perfectly good show.
Download the first part of the set (00:26:17 ).
The Chairkickers – The Brewhouse
February 7th, 2008 — audio, duluth, the brewhouse, the chairkickers
The Chairkickers were but two this evening featuring only Alan and Brad.
Download the entire set (01:17:16 ).
Los Besos with Jamie Ness – The Brewhouse
January 31st, 2008 — audio, duluth, los besos, the brewhouse, video
Los Besos’ Alan Sparhawk and Brad Nelson teamed up with Taconite’s Jamie Ness for an all-cover set at The Brewhouse. Audio for nearly the entire evening as well as two videos were recorded.
Either use the built in player below or download the file directly from archive.org 87 mb VBR .zip
Nineteen audio tracks:
The Black Eyed Snakes – The High Noon
January 5th, 2008 — madison, the black eyed snakes, the high noon, video
From cometstarmoon:
Alan Sparhawk’s Black-Eyed Snakes performed a rare one of show in Madison on January 5, 2008 for Furthermore Beer’s Brew-Ha-Ha Two-Ha-Ha. Watch the 05:11 minute video of Cornbread.
The Chairkickers with Alan Sparhawk – The Brewhouse
December 20th, 2007 — audio, duluth, the brewhouse, the chairkickers
Download set one (??:??:??)
Los Besos – The Brewhouse
December 6th, 2007 — audio, duluth, los besos, the brewhouse
The Black Eyed Snakes – The Brewhouse
November 29th, 2007 — audio, duluth, the black eyed snakes, the brewhouse
The Black Eyed Snakes – Cross Country with the Snakes
November 17th, 2007 — the black eyed snakes, video
Local Duluth cross country skiier and filmaker, Hansi Johnson set out in 2005 to create a film crossing two genres not often mingled. An amalgamation of professional skiing from the likes of Bill Koch and Brand Nelson with the somewhat amateur antics of the other members of The Black Eyed Snakes as well as tour and concert footage of the Snakes makes for a rockin’ good movie. If touring with the Banff Mountain Film Festival is any sign of a films quality then chock up a victory for Hansi as the film went on tour with the Festival during the winter of 2007/2008. Download the 01:43 minute video at YouTube.
The Black Eyed Snakes – Pizza Luce
October 31st, 2007 — audio, duluth, pizza luce, the black eyed snakes
Download set one (??:??:??).
The Black Eyed Snakes – Pizza Luce
September 8th, 2007 — audio, duluth, pizza luce, the black eyed snakes
The Black Eyed Snakes performed at Pizza Luce in Duluth, MN. Download the entire set in .mp3 format.
Retribution Gospel Choir – Pizza Luce
March 31st, 2007 — duluth, pizza luce, retribution gospel choir, video
Watch the 2:11 video of She Said
Retribution Gospel Choir – Detroit Bar
September 8th, 2005 — costa mesa, detroit bar, retribution gospel choir, video
From velvet2step
A sideproject of Low’s Alan Sparhawk along with sometime member, Red House Painters’ Mark Kozelek, Retribution Gospel Choir “Hatchet” Drums And Guns, slated for release March 20th, 2007 on Sub Pop records.
Watch the 02:20 minute video of Hatchet.
Retribution Gospel Choir – Detroit Bar
September 8th, 2005 — costa mesa, detroit bar, retribution gospel choir, video
From velvet2step
A sideproject of Low’s Alan Sparhawk along with sometime member, Red House Painters’ Mark Kozelek, Retribution Gospel Choir perform the song “Breaker” at the Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, CA, September 8th, 2005. Breaker will be on Low’s forthcoming record, Drums And Guns, slated for release March 20th, 2007 on Sub Pop records.
Watch the 03:00 minute video of Breaker.
Retribution Gospel Choir – Bottom of the Hill
September 6th, 2005 — audio, bottom of the hill, retribution gospel choir, san francisco
Retribution Gospel Choir recorded September 6, 2005 at Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA by Chris Bellew (atomjack@gmail.com).
Either use the built in player below or download the file directly from archive.org 134 mb VBR .zip
Retribution Gospel Choir – Detroit Bar
September 5th, 2005 — costa mesa, detroit bar, retribution gospel choir, video
From velvet2step
A sideproject of Low’s Alan Sparhawk along with sometime member, Red House Painters’ Mark Kozelek, Retribution Gospel Choir perform the song “Pretty People” at the Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, CA, September 8th, 2005. Pretty People will be on Low’s forthcoming record, Drums And Guns, slated for release March 20th, 2007on Sub Pop records.
Watch the 2:11 minute video of Pretty People.
The Black Eyed Snakes – Bayfront Park
July 7th, 2005 — audio, duluth, pizza luce, the black eyed snakes
A YouTube video of The Black Eyed Snakes performing at Bayfront Park in Duluth, MN on July, 16th, 2005. Watch the 6:15 video of Lordy.





