Scarlet Goodbye and Dial Tone at Driftwood Char Bar
Review by: Dan Michener, Writer/Photographer @insomniac199
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
If you like what we are doing please consider supporting us on Patreon, PayPal, or Venmo.
Friday, February 17th, I just had a feeling, was going to be cool. I spent the week looking forward to Scarlet Goodbye performing at the Driftwood Bar in south Minneapolis. I’ve probably seen 90% of the Scarlet Goodbye shows since the band started performing for the last two years. Ain’t gonna lie: they’re a favorite because Mr. Dan Murphy of Soul Asylum plays and sings. It’s not hyperbole to say what a legend he is (he wrote “Cartoon” off of Soul Asylum’s 1988 release, “Hangtime,” !!!) and everyone remembers one of the great 1990’s rock anthems, “Runaway Train,” which catapulted Soul Asylum into stardom.
Scarlet Goodbye has a secret, however: they’re not trying to be Soul Asylum. Pairing Murphy’s playing and singing with veteran Minneapolis performer, Mr. Jeff Arundel, who’s voice reminds me of Warren Zevon’s, along with Minnesota Music Hall of Fame member, Patrick Frederick on Violin and Piano, gave their performance such a cool, down-beat vibe. It was just warm and welcoming.
They covered the songs on their debut record, “Hope’s Eternal,” which lend themselves to a stripped down show (they played minus a drummer and Bass player). Plus they threw in a, “Gullible Travels” off of Soul Asylum’s 1990 release, “And the Horse They Rode in On.”
At that point, I had to put down my camera and sing along.
I was planning to leave after the Scarlet Goodbye. There was a band coming up called, “Dial Tone.” They looked younger and the crowds assembling to see them seemed to match the band’s age. Nothing against that, but I thought it wouldn’t be my thing and I scoffed a bit thinking, “What do these kids know about Rock n Roll!?!?” I imagined Auto-Tune tracks and Macbooks running the show.
They tore into that first song, and I tell you what. I stopped in my tracks. I ended up staying for their whole set. Amazing performance, stage presence and musicianship. They sounded fantastic. Plus they threw in a cover of Husker Du’s, “Don’t Want to Know if You’re Lonely” and Chuck Berry, “Johnny Be Good.” So they know their roots!
They delivered an awesome punch. Their energy level was constant and most-importantly, they were just plain having fun performing. They looked relaxed and sounded like a live band that’s been doing it for 10 years. I am looking forward to more of Dial Tones for sure.
Did I even mention how lucky we are in Minnesota with such and awesome music scene?
