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Golden Smog

The group first came together in the Minneapolis area in 1989 as a country-rock reaction to the punk and hardcore music that dominated the Twin Cities' musical scene at the time; eventually Golden Smog became something of a fixture at local clubs, where they would play a handful of shows annually. Golden Smog's lineup has often changed, though Run Westy Run guitarist Kraig Johnson as well as guitarists Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) and Gary Louris (the Jayhawks) are relative constants.

The definitive beginning of Golden Smog is hard to pinpoint given the mercurial nature of the band's lineup. Some point back to a show in January of 1987 when a band billed as 'The Take It To The Limit Band' played an all Eagles cover show at the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis. This band consisted of Dan Murphy and Dave Pirner (both of Soul Asylum), Jim Boquist (later of Son Volt), and Martin Zellar (Gear Daddies). The show ended with a cover of then Bangles hit song "Walk Like An Egyptian". This same band later played a Rolling Stones themed show in 1989 under the name "Her Satanic Majesty's Paycheck."

Between these early covers shows, and Golden Smog's first album, it is unclear what happened. It's hard to claim that these early shows were by Golden Smog, but rather in hindsight they were played in the spirit of the early Golden Smog. In 1992, Dan Murphy, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman (bassist for The Jayhawks), Kraig Johnson, and Chris Mars (the Replacements) released Golden Smog's first CD, a covers EP entitled On Golden Smog. This was followed four years later in 1996 by their full-length debut, Down By The Old Mainstream, recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio with a lineup that included Kraig Johnson, Dan Murphy, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, and Honeydogs drummer Noah Levy (all of whom recorded under pseudonyms as a result of contractual obligations). A few years later the band reformed with Jody Stephens (of Big Star) taking over for Noah on the drums (Jody had previously played with the band during a New Years Eve show in Chicago in 1996). This new incarnation of Golden Smog released Weird Tales in 1998.

In 2005 a new incarnation of the smog formed and recorded a new album in Spain. The new album is entitled Another Fine Day and was released on July, 18th 2006 on the Lost Highway Records.

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Watch the Unearthed Music Video for "V" by Golden Smog

Watch the Unearthed Music Video for "V" by Golden Smog

Source: 1888 Media

On September 23rd, Rhino Records brings together the essential tracks from the early years of supergroup Golden Smog for STAY GOLDEN, SMOG: THE BEST OF GOLDEN SMOG. This 18-song collection features an alternate version of the fan favorite “Until You Came Along," an unreleased Brian Wilson cover of “Love And Mercy" and the jangle-pop classic “V". In celebration, check out the recently unearthed music video for the song “V". It's a golden commodity and one that fans have ...

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Recording

Stay Golden, Smog: The Best of Golden Smog ~ 10-Track Listening Party

Stay Golden, Smog: The Best of Golden Smog ~ 10-Track Listening Party

Source: 1888 Media

In the late '80s, Minneapolis was home to a tightly knit music scene that claimed its fair share of groups on college and alternative radio playlists. When they weren't playing in their own bands, singer Kraig Johnson (Run Westy Run) and guitarists Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) Gary Louris (the Jayhawks) and Marc Perlman (the Jayhawks) got together as Golden Smog to play with friends and have a good time. The band recorded a pair of albums for Rykodisc in the ...

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Recording

Golden Smog Rolls in with the Best

Golden Smog Rolls in with the Best

Source: 1888 Media

Rhino Presents 16 Essential Tracks from the Band's Rykodisc Recordings. Plus an Early Version of “Until You Came Along" and an Unreleased Cover of Brian Wilson's “Love And Mercy" Available September 23 on CD and Digitally from Rhino LOS ANGELES--In the late '80s, Minneapolis was home to a tightly knit music scene that claimed its fair share of groups on college and alternative radio playlists. When they weren't playing in their own bands, singer Kraig Johnson (Run Westy ...

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