While they may have surpassed the ethos of hardcore with stunning experimentation and commercial viability, Hüsker Dü is a hardcore band through and through. The legendary trio of Bob Mould, Grant Hart, and Greg Norton became a trio in the late 70’s after Mould befriended Hart, who was working at a record store and selling pot on the side. Norton came along through a shared infatuation with The Ramones, and the legacy of Hüsker Dü was born. After the lineup for the band was settled, the trio had only one goal in mind: to play as fast as possible and only get faster with time.
The band’s rapid-fire style of rock became a hit within the hardcore community, and through many trials and tribulations, Hüsker Dü emerged from the ’80s scene with a vision. The band is most notably recognized for pushing the boundaries of hardcore and incorporating psychedelic and jazzy elements. To innovate, one must understand the raw materials they are working with, and Hüsker Dü had the ethos down pat. This brings us to the final Golden Age Thursday of May. This week, we have footage of a 1983 Hüsker Dü recorded in Philadelphia, PA. The raw VHS footage highlights the band’s reckless tempos and volatile stage presence, all while maintaining the level of musicianship that earned them their longevity. You can watch the full show below
