Lifter Puller
Encyclopedia
Lifter Puller, or LFTR PLLR, was an American indie rock
band from the Twin Cities and the Boston
area between 1994 and 2000. Their music is considered innovative, with its angular riffs and a synth-infused sound that predated the 80's revival fads of the early 2000s. Arguably, however, the band is most known for frontman Craig Finn's
elaborate lyrics, which often relied upon a well established universe of drug-addled coeds, cash-strapped nightclub proprietors, murdered ravers and other nostalgic excursions in Minneapolis and Boston http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0240,matos,38876,22.html.
The band released three LPs
and an EP
before breaking up in the summer of 2000. In 2002, the compilation Soft Rock
was released, featuring nearly every song in the Lifter Puller catalogue, excluding their final album, Fiestas and Fiascos
, and the songs "Prescription Sunglasses", "Emperor", "Slips Backwards," and "Bitchy Christmas," as well as the original version of "Nassau Colisseum," the b-side to the "Slips Backwards" single.
After several years out of print, all of the original Lifter Puller records were re-issued digitally with bonus tracks in December 2009. These reissues were accompanied by a limited-edition book entitled "Lifter Puller vs. The End of."http://pitchfork.com/news/37089-pre-hold-steady-band-lifter-puller-remembered-with-reissue-series-book/
Singer/guitarist Craig Finn and bassist Tad Kubler are now members of The Hold Steady
, which continues to explore some of the lyrical themes established by Lifter Puller while eschewing the art punk sound of the prior band in favor of a sound more akin to classic-rock revivalism.
Slug
, of Minneapolis hip-hop group Atmosphere
featured on the song "Math Is Money" found on Soft Rock and joined the band on stage to perform the song in 2002 when they reunited for sold out show in New York City. On Atmosphere's 2003 album, Seven's Travels
, there is a track titled "Lifter Puller". Also, on the track "Reflections", Slug references the line "She came on like she wanted a kiss, and now she's kissing like she already came" from Lifter Puller's song "Roaming the Foam" with the line "You kiss like you already came, and that's a Lifter Puller line for those without any game".
In 2003, the band reunited for three sold out shows for the opening of the Triple Rock Social Club in their hometown of Minneapolis.
They have a star on the legendary Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue on the 7th street side.
Past members:
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from the Twin Cities and the Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
area between 1994 and 2000. Their music is considered innovative, with its angular riffs and a synth-infused sound that predated the 80's revival fads of the early 2000s. Arguably, however, the band is most known for frontman Craig Finn's
Craig Finn
Craig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
elaborate lyrics, which often relied upon a well established universe of drug-addled coeds, cash-strapped nightclub proprietors, murdered ravers and other nostalgic excursions in Minneapolis and Boston http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0240,matos,38876,22.html.
The band released three LPs
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
and an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
before breaking up in the summer of 2000. In 2002, the compilation Soft Rock
Soft Rock (album)
Soft Rock was the last official release by Minneapolis band Lifter Puller. Released in 2002, it was a compilation of nearly all of the band's songs—save those found on their final studio album, Fiestas and Fiascos—and a few other odds and ends...
was released, featuring nearly every song in the Lifter Puller catalogue, excluding their final album, Fiestas and Fiascos
Fiestas and Fiascos
Fiestas and Fiascos is the final Lifter Puller LP composed of new material and the only album of theirs not included on Soft Rock. The record is much tighter than previous songs, following the direction implied by songs like "Secret Santa Cruz," where the band plays hook-centrically and vocalist...
, and the songs "Prescription Sunglasses", "Emperor", "Slips Backwards," and "Bitchy Christmas," as well as the original version of "Nassau Colisseum," the b-side to the "Slips Backwards" single.
After several years out of print, all of the original Lifter Puller records were re-issued digitally with bonus tracks in December 2009. These reissues were accompanied by a limited-edition book entitled "Lifter Puller vs. The End of."http://pitchfork.com/news/37089-pre-hold-steady-band-lifter-puller-remembered-with-reissue-series-book/
Singer/guitarist Craig Finn and bassist Tad Kubler are now members of The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
, which continues to explore some of the lyrical themes established by Lifter Puller while eschewing the art punk sound of the prior band in favor of a sound more akin to classic-rock revivalism.
Slug
Slug (rapper)
Sean Michael Daley, better known by his stage name Slug or "'Sep Seven'", is an American rapper. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Slug is best known as one fourth of the hip hop group Atmosphere, which he founded with Derek Turner...
, of Minneapolis hip-hop group Atmosphere
Atmosphere (music group)
Atmosphere is an American hip hop group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group is composed of rapper Slug and DJ/Producer Ant...
featured on the song "Math Is Money" found on Soft Rock and joined the band on stage to perform the song in 2002 when they reunited for sold out show in New York City. On Atmosphere's 2003 album, Seven's Travels
Seven's Travels
-Track listing:#"History"#"Trying To Find A Balance"#"Bird Sings Why The Caged I Know"#"Always Coming Home To You"#"The Keys To Life Vs 15 Minutes"#"Apple"#"Suicidegirls"#"Lifter Puller"#"Shoes"#"National Disgrace"#"Devermolorado"#"Liquor Lyles Cool July"...
, there is a track titled "Lifter Puller". Also, on the track "Reflections", Slug references the line "She came on like she wanted a kiss, and now she's kissing like she already came" from Lifter Puller's song "Roaming the Foam" with the line "You kiss like you already came, and that's a Lifter Puller line for those without any game".
In 2003, the band reunited for three sold out shows for the opening of the Triple Rock Social Club in their hometown of Minneapolis.
They have a star on the legendary Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue on the 7th street side.
Members
Final band line-up:- Craig FinnCraig FinnCraig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
— vocals, guitar - Steve Barone — guitar, keyboard
- Dan Monick — drummer
- Tad KublerTad KublerTad Kubler is an American guitarist, known for his work with Lifter Puller, Song of Zarathustra, and, most-notably, The Hold Steady. He grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.-Education:...
— bass (1998–2000)
Past members:
- Tommy Roach — bass (1994–1998)
- Dave Gerlach— drummer (1994–1996)
Full-length albums
- Lifter PullerLifter Puller (album)Lifter Puller is the debut album by the Minneapolis band of the same name. It was released on April 18, 1997 by Skene, and came out a month later in Italy. The album introduced a number of characters and themes central to later Lifter Puller releases, despite being characterized by a markedly...
— 1997 - Half Dead and DynamiteHalf Dead and DynamiteHalf Dead and Dynamite is the second LP released by the Minnesota indie rock band Lifter Puller. As with its self-titled predecessor, songs are balanced between personal and strictly narrative. Some of the songs delve into the Lifter Puller Folklore that the band's lyrics intermittently explore...
— 1997 - Fiestas and FiascosFiestas and FiascosFiestas and Fiascos is the final Lifter Puller LP composed of new material and the only album of theirs not included on Soft Rock. The record is much tighter than previous songs, following the direction implied by songs like "Secret Santa Cruz," where the band plays hook-centrically and vocalist...
— 2000
Singles
- "Prescription Sunglasses" — 1995
- "Slips Backwards" — 1995
- "The Mezzanine Gypoff" — 1996
- "Bay City Rolling" — 2001
- "4-Dix" — 2001
Compilations
- Soft RockSoft Rock (album)Soft Rock was the last official release by Minneapolis band Lifter Puller. Released in 2002, it was a compilation of nearly all of the band's songs—save those found on their final studio album, Fiestas and Fiascos—and a few other odds and ends...
— 2002 - Lifter Puller Vs. the End of — 2009