Minny Ha-Ha

For fans of the early 80s Minneapolis music scene, I cannot recommend this PBS series enough, Minnesota Hardcore. Both in its documentation of such bands as Husker Du and Soul Asylum, and it being a part of PBS. Always seen as the stodgy, dull channel on the dial, if you peel back the layers its always PBS that has way more amazing, niche, local content than any big shitty network out there. 

If one theme emerges, it’s that of participation. The hardcore scene allowed anyone to form a band, publish a fanzine, put on a show, do whatever they wanted. And to be clear, a scene is more than just the music; it must have personalities, shared traditions, common enthusiasm, attitudes and opinions. Below are the cast of characters who provided that context for this documentary series.

Rage on, viewers like you!