John Hughes

Fitz & the Tantrums' Michael Fitzpatrick: I've been known to sing in the shower

It was blatantly obvious from the moment Fitz & the Tantrums' sterling 2010 debut dropped that the LA-based group was going to be huge. Pickin' up the Pieces, released on Dangerbird Records, was pure, unadulterated pop with a brassy coating of vintage soul sounds that drew comparisons to blue-ey ... More >>

Five best early 2012 iTunes free MP3s

​iTunes' miserly propensity to give away a pittance of free mp3s by new and emerging artists is a sort of open secret, a veritable whisper in the blogosphere's never-settling echo chamber of mp3s and streams and tour-date listings. It'd be nice to be able to tell you that everything Apple has dole ... More >>

11 little-known Transmission facts on its 11th anniversary

​DJ Jake Rudh's new wave dance party Transmission is a Minneapolis institution -- and now a radio show! This Friday, the celebratory nature of the night gets an extra boost as the festivities shift to First Avenue's Mainroom for the 11th anniversary of the weekly dose of retro cool.What we know fo ... More >>

K. Flay on John Hughes, leaving Stanford, & Valentine's Day wishes

With hip-hop hitting a dull period, experimentation is full speed ahead. Many rappers, DJs and producers are testing new sounds and styles to push through the boredom of rapping a few lines and singing an R&B hook. Kristine Flaherty or K. Flay is at the head of the pack. By mashing the high Bay ... More >>

Blue Sky Blackout

The Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom Club at First Avenue, 09/08/11

Photos by Dave Eckblad​The Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom ClubSeptember 9, 2011First AvenueLegendary UK post-punk stalwarts the Psychedelic Furs rolled into First Avenue on Thursday night intent on showing their aging but dedicated fans a good time, as well as proving that there isn't any dust fo ... More >>

Critics' Picks: Blink 182, Psychedelic Furs, and more

Psychedelic Furs, Tom Tom Club

Blue Sky Blackout release 'John Hughes' EP tonight at Cause

Photos courtesy Christian Erickson​The inside of the Zeus Jones office in Uptown is a sleek, ultramodern-looking space. Its marble walls and high ceilings show off treated wood and aged brick that contrast smartly with the dark, shining floor below. A long table stretches the length of the main ro ... More >>

Blue Sky Blackout (CD-release)

Critics' Picks: Sims, Blue Sky Blackout, Old 97's, and more

Os Mutantes, Ariel Pink at the Cedar, 11/20/10

Photos by Nikki MillerOs Mutantes​Os Mutantes with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti and Diva Dompe November 20, 2010 Cedar Cultural Center Bands running waaaay behind schedule and the ice storm OF THE CENTURY (er, uh, or of the month) didn't keep a packed house of Os Mutantes fans, Ariel Pink fans, A ... More >>

The Suburbs and the Suicide Commandos at First Avenue, 11/19/10

​You can't talk about the history of the Minnesota music scene without both The Suburbs and The Suicide Commandos coming up within mere minutes. Bands from here made it big before and after them, but they represent the beginning of Minneapolis's "Golden Age" and Friday night -- the first of a two- ... More >>

The Psychedelic Furs define less is more for a sold-out First Avenue

Photos by Steve Cohen​Saturday night at First Avenue, the Psychedelic Furs put on a show that was almost exactly what should be expected from all shows, which is to say that it was pretty much note-perfect. While there wasn't much talk from the stage, aside from a very polite thank you at the end- ... More >>

Weekend Checklist: Off With Their Heads, New Pornographers, Blind Shake, and more

​Man-oh-man, what the hell? Did it rain all Bike Walk week? I'm soaked. But remember, big-ass rock and roll sound waves dry you faster than heat--that's science facts, trust me--so dry off and get hot at any number of awesome shows happening this weekend.

Psychedelic Furs, Kaskade, and more

The Psychedelic Furs

Hot Tub Time Machine pays homage to Hughes-era '80s classics

Craig Robinson, John Cusack star

The Songs We Can't Escape

The Songs We Can't Escape

John Hughes dead at 59

The director of Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles died of a heart attack this afternoon.

Fringe festival conquers city, proclaims benevolence

We recommend a handful of the many Fringe shows going on throughout the next week.

The Wet Spot: Creating the ultimate prom night

Bad cologne, raging hormones and hope. Time for some prom magic.

Adventureland is a fast-paced journey through rites of passage

Superbad director Greg Mottola swiftly cuts to what lies under cliches of youth

The Songs We Can't Escape

A raucous Iowa caucus

The Wizard of Odds: Iowa begins the road to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul

5ingles

The Songs We Can�t Escape

Cold War Reheated

'Knocked Up' Player Hits Homer

Writer-director Judd Apatow gets personal

Stillwater, Hopping Restaurants

Two new restaurants prove you don't have to buy a Tiffany lamp or a teddy bear in an apron to enjoy the trip

Today Is Totally Yesterday

Is VH1 redefining the spiritual meaning of "now"...or just abusing Tawny Kitaen?

Flying Blind

I like backpacks and I cannot lie. But I hate your little hoodrat friend.

Stop the madness!

Artists of the Year

12 Rods, Jon Stewart, Howard Stern, Quentin Tarantino, Garrison Keillor, MF Doom, Lawrence Lessig, Randi Rhodes...

I Think That Felt Better Than The 38th Take

After a long delay, a soft landing for local popsters

Grrrl, Interrupted

DIY filmmaker Sarah Jacobson was a straight shooter to the end

Not a Girl, Not Yet a Porn Star

Britney Spears straddles the line between the Madonna and the whore--and we do mean straddles

The Beautiful & The Damned

Media people: I mean you no harm

American Gigolo, and Tangent 2002: Disco Nouveau

Cutting Class

Young Americans

A new Fox documentary series captures a true class portrait of a suburban high school

What a Friend He Has in Jesus

Kevin Smith's Dogma is a buddy movie by the Book

Fakin' to Be

Bis: Intendo

Real to Reel

Minnesota filmmaker Wendell Jon Andersson has devoted the better part of his youth to creating his debut feature, With or Without You

1 Hit, 2 Dogs

Working for the Man This season, television rediscovers the proletariat.

Better Living Through Science

Hell Is For Children

Welcome to the Dollhouse puts an ugly duckling through her paces.