Soul Asylum

Soul Asylum was an alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983, perhaps best known for their song "Runaway Train". The group was an outgrowth of a previous band, Loud Fast Rules, formed in 1981 by guitarist Dan Murphy, bassist Karl Mueller, and drummer Dave Pirner. Two years later, Grant Young joined the group and took over the drums from Pirmer, who switched to rhythm guitar. The first Soul Asylum record was released in 1984 under the local Twin/Tone label, and they quickly became a mainstay of the local Twin Cities music scene.

Related Topics:
Alternative rock - Minneapolis - Minnesota - 1983 - 1981 - Guitarist - Dan Murphy - Bassist - Karl Mueller - Drummer - Dave Pirner - Grant Young - 1984 - Twin/Tone - Twin Cities

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The group signed with A&M Records in 1988 where they released Hang Time and And The Horse They Rode In On. Due to poor sales, and Dave's hearing problems the band considered calling it quits. After playing a series of acoustin shows in the early 1990s they were picked up by Columbia Records. In 1992 they released the album Grave Dancer's Union, which has been Soul Asylum's most popular album. On January 20, 1993, the group performed at the first inauguration of United States President Bill Clinton. The next year, Dave Pirner received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for "Runaway Train".

Related Topics:
A&M Records - 1988 - Columbia Records - January 20 - 1993 - Inauguration - United States President - Bill Clinton - Grammy Award for Best Rock Song

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The video for "Runaway Train" featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Dave Pirner appears and says "If you see one these children, or you are one, please call this number", before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. For performance outside the USA, the video was edited to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video would be used. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families.

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Grant Young soon left the band to be replaced by Sterling Campbell, who had been listed as providing "percussion" on Grave Dancers Union (although it turned out he had actually done the bulk of the drumming on that album). The next release, Let Your Dim Light Shine saw the track "Misery" reach the Top 20, but the album was not as successful as the band's previous one. The group returned in 1998 to release Candy from a Stranger and also recorded a live benefit concert for victims of the Red River Flood of 1997. It was released in 2004.

Related Topics:
Sterling Campbell - 1998 - Red River Flood of 1997 - 2004

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Dave Pirner has become good friends with Kevin Smith, a long time Soul Asylum fan. Pirner and / or Soul Asylum have had music in every single Kevin Smith movie and Pirner was the musical producer for "Chasing Amy". In 2002 he released his first and only solo album to date entitled Faces And Names on Ultimatum records.

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Bassist Karl Mueller was diagnosed with throat cancer in May 2004 and underwent treatment. In October 2004, a benefit concert was held for him in Minneapolis's Quest nightclub, and featured many popular local groups and musicians from the 1980s and 1990s such as the Gear Daddies, Paul Westerberg, and Bob Mould who reunited with Husker Du bandmate Grant Hart for the occasion. At the time, Mueller's cancer was in remission, and he played with his bandmates during the show. Mueller recorded his last Soul Asylum album that year and they are currently shopping it to labels. However, the cancer later returned, and he died at his home on June 17, 2005.

Related Topics:
Throat cancer - May 2004 - October 2004 - Quest nightclub - 1980s - 1990s - Gear Daddies - Paul Westerberg - Bob Mould - Husker Du - Grant Hart - Remission - June 17 - 2005

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For many years, guitarist Dan Murphy has been a core member of the local "supergroup" Golden Smog.

Related Topics:
Supergroup - Golden Smog

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As of September 1, 2005, Dave Pirner is awaiting word of his New Orleans house and relatives after Hurricane Katrina swept through the area. Pirner was visiting his native Minneapolis during the hurricane.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_en_mu/katrina_dave_pirner_2

Related Topics:
September 1 - 2005 - Hurricane Katrina

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In the Fall of 2005, Tommy Stinson is joining Soul Asylum for a few shows in tribute to the late Karl Mueller.

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