Soul Asylum: A Music Artist You Need to Know
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You may not be familiar with the name Soul Asylum, but you’ve probably heard their music. The band has been around since the early 1980s and has released a string of hits over the years. If you’re a fan of alternative rock, then you need to check out Soul Asylum.
Who is Soul Asylum?
Soul Asylum is a Minneapolis-based alternative rock band formed in 1983 by singer/guitarist Dave Pirner and guitarist and songwriter Dan Murphy. The band’s first album, Say What You Will, was released in 1984 on the independent Twin/Tone label. The album received limited notice, but the band’s profile was raised by their appearance at the 1985 Minneapolis concert that became known as the “Live Aid” benefit for Ethiopian famine relief. Soul Asylum’s next album, Made to Be Broken (1986), was also released on Twin/Tone.
A brief history
Soul Asylum is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1983. The band’s original lineup consisted of Dave Pirner (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dan Murphy (lead guitar, backing vocals), Karl Mueller (bass guitar), and Grant Young (drums). After several minutes-long jams and three hours of playing covers of other artists’ material, they wrote their first song “Can’t Go Back”, and eventually settled on the name Soul Asylum. In 1984 they released their debut album Say What You Will on Twin/Tone records. The album featured the hit song “Stand Up and Bitter”, followed by their first national tour.
The band’s next album, Made to Be Broken was released in 1986. After its release, Murphy left the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Tom Holliston. The album did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, but still managed to garner attention with the single “Sometime to Return”.
In 1988, Soul Asylum released Hang Time. The album featured the singles “Cartoon” and “The Humans Are Dead”. Hang Time was the band’s most successful album to date, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Following the release of Hang Time, Grant Young left Soul Asylum and was replaced by Sterling Campbell. The band’s next album And the Horse They Rode In On was released in 1990. The album failed to match the success of its predecessor, but still managed to spawn the single “Somebody to Shove”.
In 1992, Soul Asylum released Grave Dancers Union. The album received critical acclaim and is considered by many to be the band’s best work. It features the singles “Runaway Train” and “Black Gold”. Runaway Train became a massive hit worldwide, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and reaching number one in various countries around the world.
After enjoying massive success with Grave Dancers Union, soul asylum followed up with Let Your Dim Light Shine in 1995. The album features the singles “Misery” and “Can’t Even Tell”. Let Your Dim Light Shine peaked at number two on Billboard 200 chart in America and received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
The band’s next two albums Candy From a Stranger (1998) and Closer To The Stars: Best Of The Twin/Tone Years (2001) were both commercially unsuccessful.
In 2006, Soul asylum released their ninth studio album The Silver Lining. The album features the singles “Stand Up And Be Strong” and “String Of Pearls”.
The band’s latest studio effort Change Of Fortune was released in 2016 via Amazon Music.
The members
Soul Asylum is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1983. The band’s original lineup consisted of Dave Pirner (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Dan Murphy (lead guitar and backing vocals), Karl Mueller (bass guitar), and Pat Morley (drums). These four members recorded and released three studio albums — Say What You Will, Clarence… Live It Up! (1984), Made to Be Broken (1986) — and one live album, Live at First Avenue (1987).
In 1988, Soul Asylum released their fourth studio album hangin’ up the stars. The album’s first single “Sometime to Return” became the band’s first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 99. The album was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Following its release, Swingin’ Door één Murphy left the band to begin work on a solo career.
In 2006, after a long hiatus due to Mueller’s battle with cancer, Soul Asylum released their ninth studio album The Silver Lining. The album debuted at number 45 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling about 22,000 copies in its first week. It was Mueller’s final album with the band; he died on June 17, 2005, before its release. Bob Ezrin produced the album along with David Pirner.
The current members of Soul Asylum are Dave Pirner (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Michael Bland (drums),Ryan Smith(keyboards), Justin Pierre(lead guitar and backing vocals), Winston Roye(bass guitar).
What type of music do they play?
Soul Asylum is an American rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983. The band’s original lineup consisted of Dave Pirner (vocals, guitar), Dan Murphy (guitar), Karl Mueller (bass) and Grant Young (drums). Soul Asylum’s first album, Say What You Will, was released in 1984 on the independent label Twin/Tone Records. The album received little attention.
Their sound
Formed in the early ‘80s by singer/guitarist Dave Pirner and drummer Grant Hart, Soul Asylum’s unique brand of punk-infused rock & roll proved to be a perfect fit for the Minneapolis underground music scene of the time. With the addition of bassist Karl Mueller, the band began to hone their signature sound, which combined the raw energy of punk with the melody and hooks of ‘60s pop. Soul Asylum quickly became one of the most popular bands on the local circuit, thanks in part to their regular gigs at Minneapolis’ famed First Avenue club.
Their influences
Formed in Minneapolis in 1983, the alternative rock band Soul Asylum has been through many lineup changes but their music has always been characterized by a mix of punk, pop, and classic rock influences. The band’s biggest hits include “Runaway Train” and “Misery,” both of which topped the Billboard charts in the early 1990s.
The current members of Soul Asylum are Dave Pirner (vocals, guitar), Michael Bland (drums), Justin Sharbono (guitar), and Winston Roye (bass). Their most recent album, Hurry Up and Wait, was released in 2020.
Why are they worth your time?
Soul Asylum is an American rock band that was formed in the early 1980s. The band is best known for their hit single “Runaway Train”, which was released in 1992. Soul Asylum has released a total of 11 studio albums, and their latest album, Change of Fortune, was released in 2016. The band is currently composed of four members: Dave Pirner (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dan Murphy (lead guitar, backing vocals), Michael Bland (drums), and Winston Roye (bass guitar).
Their message
This American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota was formed in 1983 by Dave Pirner (lead vocals and guitar) and Dan Murphy (guitar). The current lineup includes Michael Bland (drums), Winston Roye (bass) and Jeff Norman (guitar).
Soul Asylum emerged during the 1980s alternative music scene in Minneapolis, signed to Twin/Tone Records and released their critically acclaimed debut album Say What You Will in 1984. The album helped launch the band’s career with the hit single “Misery,” which received significant airplay on MTV and alternative rock radio stations.
The band’s follow-up album, 1989’s Hang Time, reached the Billboard 200 Top 10 and achieved gold status. The album’s lead single “The Picture” was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1992, Soul Asylum released their most commercially successful album, Grave Dancers Union, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. It featured the hit singles “Runaway Train” and “Black Gold.”
Following the release of their sixth studio album, Candy from a Stranger, in 1998, original drummer Grant Young left the band and was replaced by Michael Bland. The band returned with their seventh studio album, The Silver Lining, in 2006. Dave Pirner is the only original member still with the band; Dan Murphy left in 1995 to pursue a solo career.
Soul Asylum is best known for their powerful message-driven lyrics that often tackle issues such as social injustice, addiction, abuse, poverty, suicide, racism and homelessness. Their music is also influencer by personal experiences such as lead singer Dave Pirner’s battle with alcoholism.
Their impact
Soul Asylum is an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983. The band’s original lineup consisted of Dave Pirner (lead vocals, guitar), Dan Murphy (lead guitar, backing vocals), Karl Mueller (bass guitar), and Grant Young (drums). The band experienced several lineup changes over its thirty-year history, with Pirner being the only constant member.
Soul Asylum achieved their mainstream commercial success in 1992 with the release of their album Grave Dancers Union, which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album produced several hit singles, including “Runaway Train”, which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song, and “Black Gold”, which peaked at number twenty-seven on the Hot 100. The follow-up album, Let Your Dim Light Shine (1995) was also commercially successful, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 and receiving a gold certification from the RIAA. The album produced four charting singles: “Somebody to Shove” (number eight), “Misery” (number eleven), “Cartoon” (number fourteen) and “Sex as a Weapon” (number twenty-six).
After recording a series of albums with modest commercial success throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Soul Asylum reunited with their original producer Steve Albini to record their eighth studio album, The Silver Lining (2006). Albini had previously worked with the band on their 1992 breakthrough album Grave Dancers Union. Released to positive reviews from critics, The Silver Lining peaked at number forty-five on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package. Following The Silver Lining’s release, Murphy left Soul Asylum and was replaced by Michael Bland.
In 2010, Soul Asylum released Delayed Reaction, their ninth studio album and first album without Karl Mueller who had died from cancer in 2006.The album peaked at number fifty seven on the Billboard 200 and received mixed reviews from critics. In 2012, soul asylum released their tenth studio album Change of Fortune. change of fortune was crowdfunded through pledgemusic and met with positive reviews from critics. it peaked at number ninety six on billboard’s top Heatseekers chart.
The band’s most recent studio album is 2017’s Back Patch more information about back patch can be found here https://www.soulasylum.com/backpatch/.
How can you get into their music?
Though they may not be as big as they once were, Soul Asylum is still a relevant and talented band. If you’re not familiar with their music, this article will tell you everything you need to know in order to get into it. Formed in the early 1980s, Soul Asylum is a rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were part of the grunge movement in the early 1990s and have released 11 studio albums.
Where to start
Now that you know a little more about Soul Asylum, you might be wondering how you can get into their music. Here are a few of their most essential albums to help get you started.
1992’s Grave Dancers Union was the album that made Soul Asylum household names, thanks to the massive success of the singles “Runaway Train” and “Black Gold.” The album was nominated for Grammys in both the Best Rock Album and Best Recording Package categories, and it went on to sell over five million copies in the United States.
If you’re looking for something a little more recent, 2012’s Delayed Reaction was Soul Asylum’s first album in six years, and it received generally positive reviews from critics. The album includes the single “Gravity,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.
These are just two of Soul Asylum’s many great albums, but they’re a good place to start if you’re looking to get into their music.
What to listen to first
Fans of Soul Asylum recommend starting with the album Grave Dancers Union, which includes the hits “Runaway Train” and “Black Gold.” Other popular albums include Let Your Dim Light Shine and And the Horse They Rode In On. The band’s more recent work includes Change of Fortune and Delayed Reaction.
