Music

Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers on the state of rock n’ roll

August 9th, 2017

Formed in 1988, The Supersuckers have gained the moniker of being “the greatest rock n’ roll band in the world.” In 2015 lead singer/bassist Eddie Spaghetti was diagnosed with stage 3 oropharynx cancer. Thankfully he conquered it and is currently back in the ol’ rock n’ roll saddle. HPR had the opportunity to speak with the frontman: how did his illness affected his songwriting, Seattle in the 90s, and the current state of rock n’ roll?

High Plains Reader: How did your…

Read more...


​Getting centered in Kidder County

August 9th, 2017

Bill Bender on Center Fest, the geographical shift and Hanson’s Bar

Photo by Sabrina Hornung

The city of Robinson is nestled within the sprawling drift prairie of central North Dakota, with a population of close to 40. Though it’s a hunter’s paradise, the wildlife ascending the town this weekend won’t be their typical deer or waterfowl.

The first annual Center Fest will be taking place in Robinson this weekend. A celebration of North Dakota art, music, and the acquisition of the…

Read more...


The original: Norwegian black metal

August 3rd, 2017

By Kaycee Boe and Rachel Levy

kayceeboe35@gmail.com rlevy13@su.edu

For many people, black metal is as synonymous with Norway as snow and fjords. Imagery of young men with dark painted faces burning down churches and causing trouble in the grey Norwegian winters often comes to mind. The legacy of black metal draws fans from all over the world, who hope to learn more about the history and find out if the music they love still exists in Norway today.

Many are interested to find that black…

Read more...


​BOOTS set to perform at WE Fest pre-party

August 2nd, 2017

Local talent takes stage with big names 

Among names like Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum, the Fargo-based band BOOTS is taking the stage at this year’s WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. BOOTS is performing at the WE Fest Pre-Party on Wednesday, August 2 at 11 p.m., and again on Thursday, August 3 at 4 p.m. on the BOB 95 stage. Nathan Pitcher, guitar and vocals for the band, sat down with HPR to talk about their upcoming show and the potential for a new BOOTS album.

HPR: Is this a…

Read more...


​Grand Opening: raising the roof

August 2nd, 2017

Fargo Moorhead’s newest music destination

Last March, Jerry’s Bar closed its doors and we thought we’d lost a landmark. Fortunately for Fargo-Moorhead, Steven Langstaff and Scott Nelson closed on the property in June. This coming week they will be celebrating their grand opening with three days of music, with acts hailing from F-M to Australia, ending with their national headlining act Drowning Pool.

Though Jerry’s had undergone a remodel close to nine years ago, it has gotten…

Read more...


​Ukulele Crazy at the Red Raven

July 26th, 2017

Most of us only hear about world records secondhand. Many might think they’re not up to the challenge, others might not see the point of breaking one, and others just read about them in books and think of them as an exotic curiosity. In any case, most people don’t think about taking part in them.

This isn’t the case for a man named Julian Ruck, however. Ruck is someone who has sought to break world records on several occasions. Starting on Friday, July 28 at 10am at the Red Raven,…

Read more...


​A bouncer, a band, and a birthday

July 26th, 2017

Photo by Gary Lura

Downtown Fargo has its fair share of familiar faces. Regulars at Dempsey’s and its upstairs music venue The Aquarium will likely recognize a man named Jeremy Kinnen often watching their doors, whether by his long goatee and hair, his impressive stature, or his wide variety of band t-shirts.

Those who don’t know him no doubt see an intimidating bouncer. Those who know him, as I’ve been lucky to for the last two years, know despite what might be a scary appearance…

Read more...


​A new departure for Dawes

July 26th, 2017

Latest album doesn’t sound like anything they did before

When we had the chance to chat with Griffin Goldsmith, drummer of the popular band Dawes, they were just getting off tour with Willie Nelson. Often credited for a vintage Laurel Canyon-esque sound Dawes is making their mark.

We had the opportunity to chat with Goldsmith about their sound, their new album, and the family dynamic between he and his brother Taylor.

HPR: How’s the tour going so far?

Griffin Goldsmith: It’s been…

Read more...


Robby Takac on the evolution of the Goo Goo Dolls

July 19th, 2017

The High Plains Reader had the opportunity to chat with Goo Goo Dolls Bassist Robby Takac about their origins, their ever evolving sound, and the impact of “Iris.”

High Plains Reader: You grew up in Buffalo New York. What was the music scene like when you first started? 

Robby Takac: Our first gigs were in the 80s, ‘86 would have been our first album. The world was a much different place then. There was no internet and such, so everything was pretty hands-on and pretty local. So for…

Read more...


​Friday tunes in our city

July 19th, 2017

There is good news for our community members who love music but have a hard time with crowds. Prairie Musicians is back with an all-new season, with regional talent performing live on the Prairie Public studio soundstage. It is on Friday evenings.

Prairie Public recognized that there were many talented musicians in our region, so the show has been started to appreciate our regional music. Prairie Musicians just premiered last week as season seven on July 7.

The musicians are selected…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry Bismarck Tracker Pixel for Entry Blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry Gruff Tracker Pixel for Entry Hjemkomst Tracker Pixel for Entry Empire Tracker Pixel for Entry Farrms2

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com Ten North Dakota communities will participate in the nationwide No Kings Day of Peaceful Action on October 18. The grassroots movement is a nonviolent protest against President Trump’s…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu I would like to recognize some of the scholarly Germans from Russia from Canada and USA shared on the GRHC website. There are additional names not included here. If you have suggestions…

Friday, October 31, doors 8 p.m. show starts at 8:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe annual Aquarium Halloween Cover Show is back and it is stacked. And this time there are a limited amount of presale…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com At the end of September, downtown Fargo said goodbye to another old friend; the Spirit Room closed its doors, marking the end of an era. The Spirit Room room has been a fixture downtown for the…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA Supreme Court umpire should call for replays on every actFor more than 20 years I have been wondering what makes Chief Justice John Roberts tick. During a Senate confirmation hearing he slid and…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As a reflection on our perilous political landscape, “Bugonia,” from the ever curious and boundary-stretching auteur Yorgos Lanthimos, joins several other 2025 releases that have something…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Gallery 4 downtown recently celebrated its 50 year anniversary, making it one of the longest consecutively running galleries in the country. With different membership tiers, there are 17 primary…

Press release“Shakespeare with a sharpened edge.” To launch its 2025 – 2026 season, Theatre NDSU is thrilled to team up with Moorhead-based organization Theatre B to perform a co-production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com When we are sick, all we want is a cure. You go to the doctor, they give you a pill, you take it for a bit, then you are cured. It happens. But unfortunately, it is not always the case. …

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…