Lifter Puller

Infobox musical artist
Name = Lifter Puller


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|USA Minneapolis, USA
Genre = Alternative rock Indie rock
Years_active = 1994-2000
Label =
Members = Craig Finn Steve Barone Tad Kubler Dan Monick
Former_Members = Tommy Roach Dave Gerlach

Lifter Puller, or simply LFTR PLLR was an American indie rock band from Twin Cities and the Boston area between 1994 to 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 codes, 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.

As of 2006, all Lifter Puller records are out of print. The albums are only available for purchase at eMusic.com and the Amazon.com mp3 store. Craig Finn, in an [http://ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=7285301/ interview] , recently expressed interest in putting out an all-encompassing Lifter Puller box set. 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 in New York City. He is a big fan of the band. On Atmosphere's 2003 album, "Seven's Travels", there is a track titled "Lift Her Pull Her". 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.

Members

Final band line-up:
*Craig Finn — vocals, guitar
*Steve Barone — guitar, keyboard
*Dan Monick — drummer
*Tad Kubler — bass (1998-2000)

Past members:
*Tommy Roach — bass (1994-1998)
*Dave Gerlach— drummer (1993-1996)

Discography

Full-length albums

*"Lifter Puller" — 1997
*"Half Dead and Dynamite" — 1997
*"Fiestas and Fiascos" — 2000

ingles

*"Prescription Sunglasses" — 1995
*"Slips Backwards" — 1995
*"The Mezzanine Gypoff" — 1996
*"Bay City Rolling" — 2001
*"4-Dix" — 2001

EPs

*"The Entertainment and Arts" — 1998

Compilations

*"Soft Rock" — 2002

External links

* [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/liftersteady/ Yahoo Discussion Group for Lifter Puller]
* [http://www.nightclubdwight.com NightclubDwight.com - Unofficial Fan Site]
* [http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0240,matos,38876,22.html "Village Voice" review of "Soft Rock"]

References

* [http://www.indieworkshop.com/interviews.php?id=18 Interview with Craig Finn]
* [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/14668/Interview_Interview_The_Hold_Steady Pitchfork interview with Craig and Tad]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20050305174624/www.lifterpuller.com/indexf.html Archive of Lifter Puller's website]
* [http://www.independentstream.podomatic.com Interview with Steve Barone]