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Gonzo Report: Fans help out Greg Norton & Buddies at the Whistle Stop
A pleasant trip back in time to the more homespun punk rock of our decades-removed youth.
Husker Du is one of the few highly successful punk acts of the 1980s that never reunited for a tour. Any chance of the original members coming together ended after their drummer/vocalist Grant Hart passed away in 2017. When former Husker Du singer/guitarist Bob Mould plays live, there are nights when around a third of his sets will be Husker Du songs, but that’s about it. For the majority of the band’s fanbase who weren’t old enough to see them before they broke up in 1988, a live performance full of this group’s songs was a wish that seemed less likely to be granted every passing year.
Enter the Greg Norton & Buddies tour, aka the “Here’s Your Chance to Hear a Full Set of Husker Du Songs in 2025 With at Least One of the Original Members” tour. In this case, that original member is Norton, the band’s one and only bassist during their run. The Buddies are Jon Snodgrass (guitar) and David Jarnstrom (drums). The two handled various vocals on songs, along with other attendees (part-time buds/random Husker Dudes?) who either made arrangements pre-show to sing/play guitar or just happened to step up to the plate during the gig. Everything went down at the Whistle Stop Bar in South Park on a Thursday night in early September.
I didn’t know what to expect, as it was tough to dig up info on the event online. But I was relieved when I arrived and found that there was a sizable turnout. It wasn’t packed to the gills, but it definitely wasn't empty. Scott Reynolds (former lead singer of Descendants offshoot ALL) opened the show with a half-hour acoustic set comprised of his original songs. It was a mellow start that featured some gems, such as the coming-of-age standout “Tracy Hardman’s Cheek.”
Video:
Scott Reynolds: "Tracy Hardman's Cheek"
But any randoms in the bar were probably blown off their stools if they were expecting Norton’s set to follow a similar path. It was loud enough in the main room that I retreated to the bar area after three or so songs. Husker Du was known for ear-shattering gigs, so in this sense, it was a fitting tribute.
I was initially skeptical about the Whistle Stop as a venue for this show, but once the guest singers started taking the mics, I was instantly converted, as the room had zero stage. With everyone together on the floor, the lines between band members and attendees blurred to the point where multiple fans could take over the mic during the band’s barnburner of a finale, “New Day Rising.” Overall, the guest singers were hit and miss, but one standout named Max was a total ringer. He sang, played guitar, and even took leads! He was basically the Kobe-Bryant-coming-off-the-bench of the gig. The plenitude of amateur guests gave the show a fun, nervous energy, but when everything was clicking, it was pure magic. A pleasant trip back in time to the more homespun punk rock of our decades-removed youth.
To top it off, those of us who meandered forward post-show were able to chat it up with a very friendly collection of touring musicians. I was even able to ask Greg Norton if he had kept his trademark handlebar moustache (which he was sporting at this gig) throughout the years. He told me that there were only a few instances where he had shaved it. He then added that ex-Black Flag lead singer Dez Cadena had given him the idea to curl up the ends to keep food from getting stuck in it. This advice laid the groundwork for what could be the most legendary facial hair of '80s punk rock. Amazing.
Video:
Husker Du: "Terms of Psychic Warfare"
Random other topics that the remaining attendees and band members discussed between 11:30 and 1:45 am included:
What was the largest show Fugazi ever played, and did they at some point open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
The brilliance of 80s/90s ALL-adjacent bands such as The Doughboys, Chemical People, and Big Drill Car.
Plus (courtesy of Jarnstrom) an in-depth breakdown of how difficult it is to drum and sing Husker Du’s “Terms of Psychic Warfare” at the same time.
All these conversations were a music-nerd’s dream come true, so much so that realizing I had been sitting in a puddle of spilled beer on top of a pool table for a large chunk of them didn’t even faze me.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Gonzo Report: Fans help out Greg Norton & Buddies at the Whistle Stop
A pleasant trip back in time to the more homespun punk rock of our decades-removed youth.
Gonzo Report: Fans help out Greg Norton & Buddies at the Whistle Stop
A pleasant trip back in time to the more homespun punk rock of our decades-removed youth.
Husker Du is one of the few highly successful punk acts of the 1980s that never reunited for a tour. Any chance of the original members coming together ended after their drummer/vocalist Grant Hart passed away in 2017. When former Husker Du singer/guitarist Bob Mould plays live, there are nights when around a third of his sets will be Husker Du songs, but that’s about it. For the majority of the band’s fanbase who weren’t old enough to see them before they broke up in 1988, a live performance full of this group’s songs was a wish that seemed less likely to be granted every passing year.
Enter the Greg Norton & Buddies tour, aka the “Here’s Your Chance to Hear a Full Set of Husker Du Songs in 2025 With at Least One of the Original Members” tour. In this case, that original member is Norton, the band’s one and only bassist during their run. The Buddies are Jon Snodgrass (guitar) and David Jarnstrom (drums). The two handled various vocals on songs, along with other attendees (part-time buds/random Husker Dudes?) who either made arrangements pre-show to sing/play guitar or just happened to step up to the plate during the gig. Everything went down at the Whistle Stop Bar in South Park on a Thursday night in early September.
I didn’t know what to expect, as it was tough to dig up info on the event online. But I was relieved when I arrived and found that there was a sizable turnout. It wasn’t packed to the gills, but it definitely wasn't empty. Scott Reynolds (former lead singer of Descendants offshoot ALL) opened the show with a half-hour acoustic set comprised of his original songs. It was a mellow start that featured some gems, such as the coming-of-age standout “Tracy Hardman’s Cheek.”
Video:
Scott Reynolds: "Tracy Hardman's Cheek"
But any randoms in the bar were probably blown off their stools if they were expecting Norton’s set to follow a similar path. It was loud enough in the main room that I retreated to the bar area after three or so songs. Husker Du was known for ear-shattering gigs, so in this sense, it was a fitting tribute.
I was initially skeptical about the Whistle Stop as a venue for this show, but once the guest singers started taking the mics, I was instantly converted, as the room had zero stage. With everyone together on the floor, the lines between band members and attendees blurred to the point where multiple fans could take over the mic during the band’s barnburner of a finale, “New Day Rising.” Overall, the guest singers were hit and miss, but one standout named Max was a total ringer. He sang, played guitar, and even took leads! He was basically the Kobe-Bryant-coming-off-the-bench of the gig. The plenitude of amateur guests gave the show a fun, nervous energy, but when everything was clicking, it was pure magic. A pleasant trip back in time to the more homespun punk rock of our decades-removed youth.
To top it off, those of us who meandered forward post-show were able to chat it up with a very friendly collection of touring musicians. I was even able to ask Greg Norton if he had kept his trademark handlebar moustache (which he was sporting at this gig) throughout the years. He told me that there were only a few instances where he had shaved it. He then added that ex-Black Flag lead singer Dez Cadena had given him the idea to curl up the ends to keep food from getting stuck in it. This advice laid the groundwork for what could be the most legendary facial hair of '80s punk rock. Amazing.
Video:
Husker Du: "Terms of Psychic Warfare"
Random other topics that the remaining attendees and band members discussed between 11:30 and 1:45 am included:
What was the largest show Fugazi ever played, and did they at some point open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
The brilliance of 80s/90s ALL-adjacent bands such as The Doughboys, Chemical People, and Big Drill Car.
Plus (courtesy of Jarnstrom) an in-depth breakdown of how difficult it is to drum and sing Husker Du’s “Terms of Psychic Warfare” at the same time.
All these conversations were a music-nerd’s dream come true, so much so that realizing I had been sitting in a puddle of spilled beer on top of a pool table for a large chunk of them didn’t even faze me.
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