Tue 7/5 @ 8PM
Minneapolis-based Soul Asylum were one of the underdogs of the 1980s college/alternative rock scene. Although they plugged away on the road throughout the ’80s and ’90s, they never seemed to evoke the same awe and respect as their Minneapolis cohorts Husker Du and the Replacements. And although they won a Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1994 for “Runaway Train,” which carried their 1992 album Grave Dancers Union to triple platinum, their momentum quickly fizzled.
Though they’ve never broken up, their output slowed down after the mid ’90s and vocalist/guitarist Dave Pirner is the only member left from their heyday/ But they’ve got a new album just out called Change of Fortune, and they’re hitting the road to support it.
They’ll be at the Kent Stage where they’ll be paired with another band from another fertile ’80s music scene — the English Beat, who emerged from England’s 2 Tone ska revival to have a series of engaging hits in the UK in between 1979 and 1983. As with Soul Asylum, the band features only one original member, singer David Wakeling.
Tickets are $31.
thekentstage.com/soul-asylum-english-beat/