rakemag letters@rakemag.com. Keep those cards and letters coming! Also keep in mind the following: Unless notified, we assume that submissions are intended for publication. We cannot return materials sent by mail; please don’t send valuable originals. We strongly encourage submission by email. Finally, letters may be edited for length and clarity. Can’t get enough? Is it … Read more
You have to appreciate how the rock ‘n’ roll landmark at Seventh and First has witnessed a total transformation of its surroundings–Target Center, cheesy nightclubs, Block E, the freaking Hard Rock Cafe–while keeping the wrecking ball off its own hallowed but scummy walls. For a few weeks last year, it even looked as if First … Read more
It seems like there are a number of rock icons these days who, if they haven’t burned out, haven’t really faded away, either. Take Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh. For one thing, the most influential of new wave bands never actually broke up; Devo toured again just this year. And Mothersbaugh is constantly working on new music, … Read more
Although singer/songwriter Townes Van Zandt is claimed by Texas, he spent two years in Minnesota at the Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, where he is remembered as the kid who dropped cherry bombs down the dormitory toilets. Elsewhere, he is noted as the dazzling guitar player who wrote the Willie Nelson hit “Pancho & Lefty,” … Read more
Is this another sign that we’re on the verge of a new Depression, or is it simply a really imaginative charity event? The Holiday Train is a string of thirteen cars outfitted with lights and decorations and a boxcar that converts to a stage. Willy Porter, Twin Citizen and Red House recording artist John Gorka, … Read more
You guys were supposed to catch me Their Latin sucks, but I have to hand it to Fraters Libertas for at least having a sense of humor to go with their conservative outlook. It seems RT hurt himself jumping from a Gay Pride float in last summer’s parade and the Fraters (or Fratres, if you … Read more
“Todd is the youngest and most impressionable member of the happy Flanders clan” I swore off writing about Kersten yesterday. I just got around to remembering the old proverb that goes something like “The only person more foolish than a fool is someone who argues with a fool.” So, this column is not about Kersten, … Read more
If you’ll believe this stuff is edible, I’ve got a columnist I want you to read. It would be tough to pick the most idiotic version of a Katherine Kersten column, but today’s certainly has to be in the running. KK’s unhappy that people are attacking her for extolling the religious types who hate gays. … Read more
In another of the many victories for the good guys on Tuesday, all eight members of the Dover, Pennsylvania School Board who had voted to mandate the teaching of “Intelligent Design” in the district’s schools were defeated. As one voter put it, “Now you have to take our city off the laughing stock list.” And, … Read more
Gopher Bush supporters have decided they’ll only come out in disguise Don’t ask me why, but I made a stop today at Power Line, the blog that supposedly brought down Dan Rather. I was looking for their explanation of the St. Paul mayoral election. But despite extensive searching, I couldn’t find one. I was talking … Read more