BOOK REVIEW: Husker Du: The Story of the Noise-Pop Pioneers

Husker Du: The Story of the Noise-Pop Pioneers Who Launched Modern Rock
by Andrew Earles
(Voyageur)
RRP: $54.99
½ (out of 5)

That title may be a bold claim, but there is a lot of truth to it too. Andrew Earles (also known for his fine essays in the AC/DC High Voltage Ultimate Illustrated book and in Vice magazine), has compiled a fine book that documents all phases of one of the most important bands in American history.

Those words do come from a devout fan - but the far-reaching effects of the live gigs and body of work that poured out of Hüsker Dü in Minneapolis in the early 80s can’t be understated. The attention to detail is amazing. From the playlists at their first gigs, to the recording of their seminal Everything Falls Apart album, and the internal politics in the band - it’s a remarkable account.

The sticking point is that the one person that didn’t contribute to the book is probably the most important - frontman Bob Mould. Yes, Grant Hart and Greg Norton were fully onboard and give full accounts throughout, but it’s a bit like a Rolling Stones book without comment from Mick Jagger - there is clearly a missing piece.

Naturally Mould is referred to relentlessly - however that’s confined to comment from his bandmates or quotes from prior interviews. Earles also has a habit of jumping back and forth in their timeline too - which can be confusing - but he always pulls it back in fairly swiftly.

That aside, this is a great read and I particularly like the early chapters that show the early development of the group - and the way that they all came together in a natural way. This ease of formation flowed through to their music, which was an organic process, despite the fact that they were basically forming a template of what post punk America was going to sound like - years before it happened.

It’s not perfect, but it is a powerful read.

By Sir-Vere