Tracker Pixel for Entry

A Spot of Grime on the North Dakota Music Scene

Music | January 9th, 2019

Grime-photo by fargo.live

Grime is composed of three members: Nick Jensen on guitar and backing vocals, Cale Mogard on drums, and Andrew Wickenheiser on lead vocals and bass guitar. They have a history that goes back at least six years. The band formed in November 2012, when Andrew and Nick (who had previously been in a cover band together) decided they want to write their own music. At first, an old friend of Jensen’s filled rum duty. By the end of 2013, a new drummer named Tim Gray took his place. Gray is the drummer who performed on all their recorded music so far, but in May of 2017 creative differences led him to part from the band. Mogard then became a temporary fill but eventually, his position became permanent. “He learned our set in 2 weeks, and all the shows we’ve played with him have been fantastic,” said Jensen.

The band has performed over a large chunk of North Dakota: Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Dickinson, Minot, Bismarck, and Mandan. Their out of state shows include Rapid City, South Dakota, Madison, and Fort Atkinson in Wisconsin, two shows in Chicago, Illinois, one in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and even as far as Cincinnati, Ohio. 2018 saw the self-release of their first full-length album, “What We Have Become”, which was preceded by an EP called “Hitch-Hiking Prohibited”, with the LP being recorded at RedDot Recording in Bismarck.

For those interested in listening, besides just the upcoming concert on January 11th at the Aquarium, Jensen said, “We are on all the streaming services, such as Spotify and Amazon Music, and iTunes. We also have a YouTube channel with live videos on it. Someday we’ll make a real music video, but we don’t currently have plans on that. And of course, you can listen to and purchase our music on Bandcamp.” Physical CDs are also available at shows and Rhythm Records in Bismarck.

Jensen said about the band’s genre, “Grime is a heavy rock band. We’re not metal, but rock alone doesn’t seem to cover it. We’re also mildly eclectic. We don’t like writing a bunch of songs that sound the same. Diversity is a beautiful thing, and we think the new album ‘What We Have Become’ shows that off pretty well. We write songs about monsters through wormholes, fictional characters we like, and inner struggles.” The eclectic nature of the band is reflected by the influences cited by their members: Mogard states that music like “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry and “Brick House” by The Commodores helped shape his style, as well as groups like Breaking Benjamin, Avenged Sevenfold, and Periphery; Jensen cited Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mastodon, and 80’s Metallica; and Wickenheiser listed off a whole litany of acts like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Dio, Testament, and Nirvana.

If you needed more impetus (besides good music) to attend, January 11th’s show at the Aquarium will be the last chance to catch Grime in concert before the summer. The band will be taking a break until June because Jensen’s wife is having a baby (congratulations!). Then that summer they plan on playing all over. “We want to play more shows out of Bismarck and to book a show in Minneapolis,” said Jensen. So, if you don’t want to wait six months to see some good music live, you better make your way down to the Aquarium Friday night.

IF YOU GO:
Anomic, Emissary Echo, Grime, Another Poet at The Aquarium
Friday, January 11, 9pm-12:30am
The Aquarium 226 N Broadway, Fargo

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comIt’s been eight years since the Water Protectors were cleared off the banks of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers. It was a bitter ending to a battle to protect the water; and for most of us…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Rodeo is a family tradition for sisters Kate and Tera Flitton. The duo performs under the moniker Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls. The Utah natives will be performing along with bareback riders,…

On view through March 31215 N. 3rd St, Grand ForksThe Equal Rights Association (ERA NOW), Arts for Vets, and the Women’s Fund have joined forces in hosting an art exhibition in celebration of International Women’s Day. The 2025…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I feel like reading a newspaper is the equivalent of listening to music on vinyl. Not only is it analog, it’s an experience. I might be a little biased, but there's something about the rustling…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comLennon: “Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can!”On January 8, 2025, Timothy W. Rybeck of “The Atlantic" magazine published “How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days” with the…

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 Gionrickgion@gmail.com The below zero temperatures endured this recent January and February were a motivator to find something fun and interesting to do to lift the spirits. (Insert blue, teeth-chattering emoji here.) To…

Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comBong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated follow-up to the game-changing Oscar-winner “Parasite” was set to arrive in theaters last year, but the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike pushed the date. Was the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comTelling Queer History is an LGBTQIA+ organization that utilizes oral storytelling and community building to educate, honor and collect oral histories. To honor its final year in operation, the …

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

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 Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com Somewhere lost in the cultural scuffle of what it means to be transgender is that it is an absolute joy to experience the world in such a way. When you take away the societal prejudice and…

By Gilbert Kuipersgilbertkuipers@outlook.com I live in North Dakota District 24 and have been challenging the district Republicans about their understanding of climate science for years. There has been no serious response to my…