godheadSilo reunites for Ralph’sFargo punk legends return to the stage

On Saturday, July 25, godheadSilo will perform their first show since 1998 in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the closing of Ralph’s Corner Bar.

godheadSilo formed in the early 1990s in Fargo, later moved to Olympia, Wash., and signed to record labels like Kill Rock Stars and Sub Pop, touring with the likes of The Melvins and Sebadoh. The band was a duo with a punishing loud sound that made them stand out at the time, and they caught the eye of bands touring through Fargo who saw them open. They are probably one of the biggest bands to ever come out of the Fargo punk scene. Good luck getting a ticket to Saturday’s show at The Aquarium -- it sold out a few days after it was announced.

HPR spoke with bassist/vocalist Mike Kunka and drummer Dan Haugh about the reunion ahead of the Fargo show.

HPR: What made you guys decide to get back together?

Mike Kunka: Somebody had to ask us first. Sounded like a good idea at the time.

Dan Haugh: Several months ago I got a message from Preston Olson asking if I thought godheadSilo would want to play a show in Fargo over the summer. I said it seemed like fun, but told him I was 99 percent sure Mike wouldn’t be into it. A few weeks later Mike sends over a message asking me if I’d be into playing Fargo, and that it “seems fun.” (Laughs) . . . From there, it was just figuring out logistics.

HPR: Had you thought about it before the Fargo show offer?

MK: For sure.

DH: It has popped up on a few, very rare occasions. Since we live in different places that are really far away, it didn’t seem feasible. Not that this seems feasible, either, but whatever, heh. But it’s Fargo.

HPR: Is it possible you will play more after this?

MK: Totally.

DH: I have visions of puking all over my drums, or having a heart attack, or something gnarly, during this show. If I survive, we’ll see.

HPR: After you started, how were you able to get signed and move out of Fargo?

MK: I don't want to sound like a dad or a dick, but hard work didn't hurt.

DH: You mean, like, back way-when? We moved first hoping that Kill Rock Stars would be interested. Tobi Vail from Bikini Kill hinted that if Slim [Moon], the guy who owned KRS, saw us, he’d “sign” us. That’s sort of what happened. But other than that, and before that, we played tons of shows, did some crappy tours, and worked really hard.

HPR: What were you most proud of during the tenure of the band that you were able to do?

MK: One time we were playing in Salt Lake City and we went to The Heavy Metal Shop to buy some records. The guy working behind the counter had the latest issue of RIP! magazine open to our picture on the counter. He just said "holy shit, that's you guys!" when we walked in. I was, and am, seriously so proud of that moment. I felt like we had accomplished more than we could have ever hoped for at that point.

DH: Being asked to tour with Sebadoh, and Melvins, was cool. Also, after touring a couple years and sleeping in the van almost every night at rest areas, it was awesome to finally stay at crappy hotels. I know, it’s not a glamorous thing to be proud of, but there you go. Also, there was a show where No Doubt OPENED for us in Kansas City. We gave them such a hard time; fist fights almost broke out. Purty stoked about that. Recently, I’m psyched that that kid did a Youtube bass cover of one of our songs. That was intense and awesome.

HPR: Mike you had a lot of stuff stolen recently from a storage space? I understand it was equipment and a lot of your stuff saved from the years of the band? Was that a challenge in order to being able to play?

MK: It was heartbreaking to lose all of my equipment at once. It also forced me to re-evaluate what I was up to. I mean, if that shit was in storage for 20 years, how much did I really care about it? Turns out a lot. Being burglarized woke me up to want to make some jams again.

HPR: Dan, you lost a bunch of equipment during Katrina, how did that impact your ability to play? Did you just replace it recently?

DK: Yeah, I lost almost everything during Katrina. I bought my current drumset from a cokehead a few months after Katrina. It’s a ‘50s jazz kit, and it’s super tiny.

HPR: Mike, you recorded an album with The Melvins a while back. I understand that may come out soon? What's the status of that?

MK: We started it in 1999, I think. We just finished it this past February. I was pretty lazy about that project as well. It should be out this coming spring on Sub Pop records. It's really good!

HPR: How were you able to practice, living in two different cities?

MK: We just tried to learn everything from the records and now we are practicing in Fargo for a few days leading up to the show.

DH: We’re meeting in Fargo a few days before the show. Mike is driving from the Pacific Northwest, me from New Orleans. We’ll get a few days to see what we can pull off. I’ve done some practicing by myself, going from memory ... i posted some “practices” on Youtube. The experience reminded me that playing drums by yourself is so boring.

HPR: What are your memories of Fargo? How long has it been since you've been back?

MK: I really enjoyed my time in Fargo. Most of the really good stuff happened a long time ago, though. Just ripping around everywhere with Dan on our bikes in 1986, or so, was awesome. Skating Agassiz Junior High with the whole crew in 1987-88. 1989-1991 making music and going to shows was pretty great. Also, Duane's House of Pizza and the Taco Shop. I've been back once in 10 years for my father's funeral and that was it.

DH: The last time I was in Fargo was the last time godheadSilo played there, like 18 years ago. I don’t have family there anymore, so… I miss it a lot, though. So I’m stoked to come back.

HPR: Are you nervous at all, this being your first show in a while?

MK: Not nervous. Just excited as can be. I love playing music with Dan, and especially I love playing music with Dan in Fargo.

DH: I’ve been playing shows consistently for 23 years, and this is the second time I’ve ever been nervous about playing. The first time was the first godheadSilo show ever.

HPR: What should people expect from the show?

DH: Awesome fun and bone death.

MK: Just straight-up awesomeness, Michael Jordan in a Wizards uniform, shades of debauchery, pointless decadence, moms and dads, evidence that time remains undefeated. Hopefully Dan will put his foot through something. Tons of fun.