Soul Asylum now a casino band?
Posted on November 11th, 2008 – 5:45 PMBy Chris Riemenschneider
Thanks to the Grand Casino billboards all over town, lots of people are talking about Soul Asylum’s gig next Friday (Nov. 21) at the casino in Hinckley. Some people see it as the band’s official admission it’s now a classic/nostalgia rock act and not 
one still cranking out relevant music. I personally don’t view it quite so dramatically. If a band wants to play around Minnesota outside the Twin Cities, the casinos have some of the best rooms for music. Also, the local casinos have been reaching out to younger crowds this year (at least younger than 60) with shows like Maroon 5/Counting Crows at Mystic Lake and Tim McGraw at Treasure Island. And unlike Mystic Lake, the Hinckley casino serves alcohol, so the shows there aren’t quite so stiff. Still, there’s no question most bands young and old do casino gigs for the money — casinos don’t have to profit on shows, assuming concertgoers also hit the slots and tables, so they pay very well.
Anyway, Soul Asylum is also doing another gig at First Ave right before Christmas on Dec. 19. Their show there last year was one of the best ever, loaded with oldies/nuggets (from before they ever got on the radio).
5 Responses to "Soul Asylum now a casino band?"
To even be MENTIONED in the same breath as Maroon 5 and Counting Crows tells one exactly where Soul Asylum sits. Sittin’ on the dock of Washed Up Bay.
Maybe the boys can scarf down a cheapo buffet meal before they belt out ‘Runaway Train’ …. again.
If Paul Westerberg ever plays casinos, please shoot me. Rock and roll integrity will be officially dead.
What a shame. Soul Asylum released a bunch of great records. The Village Voice once declared them “America’s Greatest Live Band”. Pirner, a great songwriter, was paling around with Bruce Springsteen.
Now…they’ve now joined the “Casino” and “Street Fair” circuits.
Oh..how the mighty have fallen.
The last time that I saw her
She was standing in the rain
With her overcoat under her arm
Leaning on a horsehead cane
She said “Carl, take all the money”
She called everybody Carl
“My spirit’s broke”
“My mind’s a joke,”
“And getting up’s real hard”
Chorus
Don’t you know her
When you see her?
She grew up
In your back yard
COME BACK TO US
Barbara Lewis
Hare Krishna
Beauregard (Soul Asylum)
-John Prine
ummm… Soul Asylum has been playing casinos for years. Will they have another double-platinum album, probably not, as for record sales their best years are behind them. But their shows are amazing, they can really rock out!! Ask any local artist, or national for that matter and 99% would love to have a chance to play at a casino. Soul Asylum sees there biggest checks at Casino’s. I dont know why people dont like Street Fairs either, Phil Lesh, Umphrey’s McGee and other big name, and popular bands play these fairs, and for free. Its a way to give back to people who cant pay 45 bucks to see a band…
Soul Assault lead signer Dave Pyro sitll has lungs adn hair to rock teh cowrd. Evan at racino or ats weeding arty. Multitelneted bnad behind him couldes paly with divers artist liek Ross Scaggs;
Night Thief said it about as elegant, ledgible, literate and understandable as I could ever say it!
