Hüsker Dü
Ice Cold Ice

Bob Mould, Grant Hart and Greg Norton: these three guys from Minneapolis were Hüsker Dü.

They represented a unique case in American Rock of the eighties; a short career, conducted recklessly, ignoring market rules and consistently exposing themselves. Never a step back.

An unparalleled and unique band like few others; they reminded us that being independent means above all being oneself. Unconcerned with negative consequences; bridging Hardcore-Punk to Indie Rock.

They coexisted amid constant and heavy tensions between Bob and Grant, due to their hard-to-manage personalities. With the good-mustached Greg trying to be the peacemaker to keep the two leaders together. Until the final explosion, the dissolution that began right after the release, in June 1987, of "Ice Cold Ice." The last single from that "Warehouse etc., etc.," an album to tear your own house down with solemn air guitar strokes!!!!

Floral cover; but leave flowers and smiles aside because a dramatic tension lingers in the air as the song unfolds. Bob's guitar tears through the air with an opening riff as epic as controlled; then Grant's drums set a frenzied pace and a deadly electric discharge from the six strings gives the decisive cue to launch the track. It's a continuous chase even of the two voices, with Bob intent on shouting the verses while Grant repeats the song's title with his tone so soft and light. And a nervous instrumental ending that fades progressively until a sudden heart-stopping volume surge. This is where it all starts.

Then comes the brief and funky "Gotta Lotta," also released from Bob's mind; it seems like an acid and angry version of "Charity, Chastity, Prudence, and Hope."

A single of two tracks, both written by the guitarist: once again Bob imposes his law; he wants to be the master of Hüsker Dü. And Grant swallows the bitter pill, withdrawing more and more and contemplating abandonment. He finds comfort in the candor of the white powder; trying to forget. Without succeeding.

And so it goes on through endless fights until December 12, 1987: our guys are carrying out yet another tour in the United States. That evening they start playing in a small town in Missouri, and after 45 minutes the incident occurs. About halfway through a lackluster version of "Flexible Flyer," they decide to leave the stage never to return. At least this time Bob and Grant agree.

We finally arrive in January 1988 with an official press release that, if I remember correctly, said more or less like this: "Today the Asian Stock Exchanges held up; New York's lost but not too much compared to usual. And yet it was dramatic just the same: Hüsker Dü has broken up."

Ad Maiora.