Grant Hart
Grant Hart in 2005 at the Metro Club in London.
Background information
Birth name	Grantzberg Vernon Hart
Born	March 18, 1961 (1961-03-18) (age 46) South Saint Paul, Minnesota
Genre(s)	Alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Drummer
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar, Drums
Years active	1979–present
Label(s)	SST Warner Bros.
Associated acts	Hüsker Dü Nova Mob
Website	www.granthart.com

Grant Hart (born March 18, 1961 as Grantzberg Vernon Hart)^[1] is an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-songwriter for the influential alternative rock and hardcore punk band Hüsker Dü. After the band's breakup in 1987, Hart formed the alternative rock trio Nova Mob, where he moved to vocals and guitar. Hart's solo career became his main focus after the dissolution of Nova Mob in 1997. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... South St. ... Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Alternative music redirects here. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... Harry Belafonte singing, photograph by C. van Vechten Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with speech. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... SST Records is a Lawndale, California based independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by Black Flag founder/guitarist Greg Ginn. ... Warner Bros. ... This article is about the rock band called Hüsker Dü. For other uses, see Husker Du. ... Nova Mob was the band that former Hüsker Dü drummer Grant Hart assembled in 1989. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Instrumentalist” redirects here. ... For the comic book character, see Drummer (comics). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Alternative music redirects here. ... Hardcore punk, now commonly known as hardcore, is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s. ... This article is about the rock band called Hüsker Dü. For other uses, see Husker Du. ...

As the co-songwriter of Hüsker Dü, Hart's songs (such as "The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill" and "Turn On The News") received praise from critics and contemporaries. Hart's vocal style, in contrast to that of Hüsker Dü-bandmate Bob Mould, was a more measured and melodical delivery. His choice of lyrical themes, which included teenage alienation in "Standing By The Sea" and the depicition of a murder in "Diane," helped to expand the subject matter of hardcore punk. Bob Mould (born October 16, 1960, in Malone, New York) is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for influential rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s. ...

Biography

Youth

Grant Hart was born in 1961, the youngest child of a credit union employee and a shop teacher. Hart described his family as a "typical American dysfunctional family [...] Not very abusive, though. Nothing really to complain about."^[2] When Hart was ten, his older brother was killed by a drunk driver. Hart inherited his brother's drum set and records; he soon began playing in a number of makeshift bands as a teenager. At the time Hart had little interest in contemporary rock music. Instead, he preferred to listen to film soundtracks and bought cheap compilations of hit songs from the 1950s and 1960s.

Hart met Bob Mould while working at a record store. Mould, then a college freshman, would buy marijuana from Hart. At first Hart analyzed Mould as "an upstarter pretending to be a Manhattanite," but the two soon became friends.^[3] Bob Mould (born October 16, 1960, in Malone, New York) is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for influential rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s. ...

Hüsker Dü

Main article: Hüsker Dü

Hart formed Hüsker Dü in 1979 with Bob Mould and his friend Greg Norton. The band's early material had them lumped in with the hardcore movement of the early 1980s. The bandmembers received help from their parents in their early days. In Hart's case, his mother let him use the copier machine at the credit union where she worked to make show flyers,^[4] and the band added $2,000 to an existing loan at the credit union to release the band's first single, "Statues," on their own label Reflex Records in 1981.^[5] Success existed on a small scale for the band; by 1982 Hart was unemployed and relied on support from friends and family.^[6] This article is about the rock band called Hüsker Dü. For other uses, see Husker Du. ... Greg Norton (circa 1986). ...

Hüsker Dü's music became more accomplished and melodic over time. By late 1982, Hart's drumming "rushed the music along more precisely than ever" and he and Mould, who traded vocal duties, were singing more tunefully.^[7] While Mould was the band's primary songwriter, Hart began writing more songs. Hart wrote two songs for 1983's Metal Circus EP, the "perversely sing-along" "Diane" and the "impassioned speed-pop gem" "It's Not Funny Anymore." Hüsker Dü's more melodic take on hardcore struck a chord with college students, and various tracks from Metal Circus, particularly Hart's "Diane," were put into rotation by dozens of campus radio stations across the US.^[8] Hart was tagged by observers as the "hippie" of the group due to his long hair and his propensity to drum with bare feet; biographer Michael Azerrad additionally noted that "the wide-eyed sincerity of his songs was far more San Francisco '67 than New York '77," which contrasted with the "incisively bitter" songs of Mould.^[9] Metal Circus is an EP by Hüsker Dü, released in 1983. ... Campus radio (also known as college radio, university radio or student radio) is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

As Hart and Mould developed as musicians and songwriters, an unspoken tension and competition arose in the band between them.^[10] Tensions were heightened when Mould demanded that starting with 1984's Zen Arcade that the band's records contain individual songwriter credits.^[11] In spite of the creative tensions, Hüsker Dü garnered critical acclaim with the release of Zen Arcade and subsequent albums. Michael Azerrad stated that by 1985' Flip Your Wig "the two songwriters were trying their level best to outdo each other, and with spectacular results"^[12] Hüsker Dü had left the hardcore genre behind, which caused some discomfort with their label at the time, SST Records. In one interview, Hart hinted that SST thought Hüsker Dü were "soft" because they stayed in motels while touring and occasionally wrote happy songs. Hart elaborated, "We don't have to convince the world that we're suffering to convince them that we're artists," and added, "There's nothing wrong with being happy."^[13] Zen Arcade is the third full-length album from the American rock band Hüsker Dü, released in July 1984 on SST Records. ... Flip Your Wig is a 1985 album by the Minneapolis band, Hüsker Dü, and its last release on SST Records. ... SST Records is a Lawndale, California based independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by Black Flag founder/guitarist Greg Ginn. ...

In 1986 Hüsker Dü became the first key band from the American indie scene to sign with a major label, inking a deal with Warner Bros. Records.^[14] However, tensions within the band worsened after signing with Warner Bros. Hart became addicted to heroin following the band's tour behind their major label debut Candy Apple Grey in 1986, with Hart also being diagnosed as HIV-positive in the middle of that year. Mould and Hart were feuding openly about Hart's drug use and creative conflicts, with Hart accusing Mould of ensuring he could not have more than 45 percent of the songs each of the band's albums.^[15] In popular music, indie music (from independent) is any of a number of genres, scenes, subcultures and stylistic and cultural attributes, characterised by perceived independence from commercial pop music and mainstream culture and an autonomous, do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. ... Warner Bros. ... For other uses, see Heroin (disambiguation). ... Candy Apple Grey, the penultimate album by Hüsker Dü (released in 1986), was their first major label album, and in this respect can be compared to near contemporary albums such as the Replacements Tim, and Green by R.E.M.. The album marks the completion of the bands... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ...

The band dissolved after a show in Columbia, Missouri in support of the band's 1987 double album Warehouse: Songs and Stories. Hart was trying to quit heroin using a supply of methadone, but the bottle had leaked. Hart played the show, but Mould and Norton were concerned Hart would soon be suffering from withdrawal and thus would be unable to play the next few shows. While Hart insisted he could perform, Mould had already cancelled the dates. Hart quit the band four days later. Hart has said his drug use was not the reason for the band's demise, rather, it was the tensions between the bandmembers. Hart said, "It just became that it was easier to be around Bob if you were playing a part of Bob's game," and also said he felt Mould's songs had become increasingly "square."^[16] Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: Country United States State Missouri County Boone Government  - Mayor Darwin Hindman Area  - City  59 sq mi (138. ... Warehouse: Songs and Stories is the last album by Hüsker Dü, released in 1987. ... Methadone is a synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic and anti-addictive. ...

Solo and Nova Mob

Six months after Hüsker Dü's breakup, Hart discovered that his diagnosis as being HIV-positive was incorrect.^[17] In 1989 he released the solo EP, 2541, on Hüsker Dü's former label SST. Interestingly, the number of the title is taken from the address of his former band's office and rehearsal house, where the members had at one time lived.^[1] Marshall Crenshaw would later cover the title song, as would the Go-Betweens' Robert Forster. After the release of the EP, Hart went further into sobriety. // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ... Somethings Gonna Happen 12 single sleeve (1981). ... The Go-Betweens during recording of Oceans Apart: l-r Robert Forster and Grant McLennan The Go-Betweens were an internationally influential indie rock band from Australia, formed by guitarists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan in Brisbane in 1977. ... Robert Forster is an Australian singer-songwriter, best known for his work with songwriting partner Grant McLennan with whom he co-founded The Go-Betweens. ...

In late 1989, he formed a new band, Nova Mob, with Michael Crego on drums, and Tom Merkl on bass, with Hart himself taking guitar duties. The band released their first single, "All of My Senses," in 1990, with the EP Admiral of the Sea following a year later.^[1] The lineup later changed with Marc Retish and then Steve Sutherland on drums, and Chris Hesler on lead guitar. The band routinely toured Europe to warm reception. Nova Mob released two full-length recordings, and one EP. They disbanded after the last record and a final tour. For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ...

Recent years

Hart returned to recording as a solo artist with the release of Ecce Homo, in 1996, and Good News for Modern Man, offered in late 1999. In 2004 Hart and Mould reunited at the benefit concert for Karl Mueller, the bassist for fellow Minneapolis stalwarts, Soul Asylum, who was then fighting what would turn out to be a losing battle with cancer. According to his website, Hart is currently recording in Montreal, with a release expected in 2007. He told Britain's Q in September 2006, "I'm working on some stuff with the Godspeed You! Black Emperor people. They've given more of themselves in a few weeks than Bob did in nine years with Hüsker Dü."^[18] A benefit concert is a concert featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. ... Karl Mueller (July 27, 1963-June 17, 2005) was a rock musician. ... Soul Asylum is an alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983. ... Q is a music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom, with a circulation of 140,282 and a readership of 731,000. ... Godspeed You! Black Emperor (formerly punctuated Godspeed You Black Emperor!) is an avant-garde Canadian post-rock band based in Montreal, Quebec. ...

Musical style

As a vocalist, Grant Hart can be credited (along with band mate Bob Mould) as one of the forefathers of the emo movement. His emotional singing and lyrical subjects on songs such as "Keep Hanging On", "Standing By The Sea", "Diane" "It's Not Funny Anymore", "Turn On The News", "The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill", "If I Told You" and "Sorry Somehow" pointed the way to deeper personal expression and broadened subject matter in hardcore punk and rock music in general. Emo is a genre of rock music. ... Sorry Somehow is a song from Hüsker Düs major-label debut Candy Apple Grey. ...

As a drummer, Hart plays in several different styles, with a jazzy style perhaps best heard on Zen Arcade, metronome-like bass drum rhythms prominent on Flip Your Wig and powerhouse punk drumming on Land Speed Record. After Hüsker Dü, Hart abandoned the drums to concentrate on vocals and guitar. However, in 2005 he returned to the drum set to play on the Melvins' Pigskin, a limited 7" record. Zen Arcade is the third full-length album from the American rock band Hüsker Dü, released in July 1984 on SST Records. ... Flip Your Wig is a 1985 album by the Minneapolis band, Hüsker Dü, and its last release on SST Records. ... Ralph DePalma in his Packard 905 Special at Daytona Beach in 1919, courtesy Florida Photographic Collection For the album Land Speed Record by the band Hüsker Dü, see Land Speed Record (album). ... Melvins are an American rock/metal band that usually perform as a trio. ...

Discography

Main article: Grant Hart discography

Studio albums

• 1987 All of My Senses - SST
• 1989 2541 - SST
• 1989 Intolerance - SST
• 1996 Ecce Homo [live] - World Service
• 1999 Good News for Modern Man - Pachyderm

Notes

The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music, owned by All Media Guide. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991 is a book by Michael Azerrad (ISBN 0-316-78753-1). ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Grant Hart

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Grant Hart

• Grant Hart homepage
• Grant Hart at Last.fm
• All Music Guide: Grant Hart