Happy Birthday to The Hold Steady!
Today, my favorite band turns 15. I’ve been along for the ride for 12 of them.
In 2006, i “worked” at a college radio “station” that had a digital reach of 32 people at a time. Everyone took turns on inventory of our music collection. I noticed we were a bit behind the times and decided to start sending out emails to record labels requesting promo cds (yes cds were a thing once).
Low and behold the head of Vagrant records at the time was an NJIT alumni. He was psyched to send me about a dozen cds. One of those was “boys and girls in America”. It was a glorious ode to sex, drugs, rock, and roll.
Craig Finn and his cohorts spoke to me in a way no band ever has. I am forever indebted to the music these guys have churned out. I converted my wife, who now walks around in a “hood rat” sweatshirt. I cant wait to pass along these massive nights to my daughter. God bless The Hold Steady.