I don’t think we ever played with a group who inspired the pandemonium of the Sundays in 1990. The shows were hopelessly sold out, and only our unimpeachable integrity kept us from a lucrative sideline in backstage pass and guestlist sales. Given the nature of tour routing, this date 24 years ago and this date only was earmarked for Minneapolis. Problem was the desired venue, First Avenue, was not available, having already been booked for Loudon Wainright III. First Avenue’s small room, the Seventh Street Entry, had Big Dipper and the Sneetches that night. I think most any promoter other than Steve McClellan would have found some way to get the Sundays, a guaranteed sellout, into the big room. Instead, he honored his commitment to Loudon Wainright, and shoehorned the Sundays onto the top of the Entry’s bill. In so doing, Steve inconvenienced the Sundays (playing to one-third the audience with lesser production), Big Dipper and the Sneetches (forced down the bill), and us (our opening set for Loudon Wainright had a fraction of the audience that we would have had if the Sundays were headlining), not to mention him and his clubs (lost revenue and disgruntled bands). Even at the time, I thought it was an incredibly un-weasel-ly move, and my admiration has only increased in the ensuing years. Apropos of nothing, Steve McClellan would later attempt to emulate Fred Flintstone’s windmill bowling technique at a charity event and break his arm. One of a kind.
Heading south, Daniel F. from Melbourne (Australia, not Florida) writes about this day: In July 2008 my friend Lynsze bought me the Nuclear War 12″ for my birthday. (She then became my girlfriend, and is now my best friend).
