AUCTION

6:00-6:45 Noisy Withdrawal
7:00-7:45 Sucker Punch
8:00-8:45 Frank Brownstone
9:00-9:45 Rattle & Hum
10:00-10:45 Sweet Colleens
11:00-11:45 The Mediocritones

This year’s edition of ANT will feature a special reunion performance by Noisy Withdrawal, the glam-folk power-neuftet that was a stalwart of ANT shows during the gritty early years of the festival. The band returns many of its original members, and adds electric violin superstar Sam Orbovich, whom obsessive group sparkplug Steve Beck, having worn out his friends with his insane laughter and constant repetition of Blues Brothers lines (“we’re getting the band back together”), found in an eldercare facility, as well as imposing saxophone legend Erik Beck, who is probably as tall as Clarence Clemons but doesn’t have that cool fur top hat.

From the “where are they now” files, lead singer Laurie Hartman eventually married guitarist/accordionist Jake Holdreith and moved to a home in Saint Paul where they have led a relatively quiet family life. Guitarist Ryan Johnson gave up music for a time, focusing on his twin obsessions with beekeeping and medieval siege weaponry (but not at the same time). Vocalist and music director Chris Hunt never really faded out of the music scene, continuing his intermittent work on the group’s harmonic masterpiece, but with no evident approaching release. Drummer Bob Rubenstein and Bassman Charlie Broadnax (of the Saint Paul Broadnaxes), whose rhythm section union was thought by many to have been the beginning of the end for the band (it is very difficult to get all those green M&Ms out of the dish), similarly continued as sidemen or session musicians for many of the biggest acts of the last decade. Finally, Matt Millis, whose deft touch on the keyboards and striking tenor voice pulled the band’s sound together and allowed it to reach its zenith back in the band’s heyday, can still be seen in downtown Minneapolis’ riverfront area, often on foot, usually in the parks or on the stone arch bridge.

The band promises that it has lost none of its chops, and will offer an array of currently popular tunes along with obscure gems.

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On paper, Suckerpunch should be one of the most boring acts to play the Attractive Nuisance Tour, as it is made up of three Catholic schoolteachers and a lawyer. But for nearly the past decade, Suckerpunch has been “wowing” audiences near and just a few miles past near once every month or so with sets filled with songs other bands wrote. It was a secret formula more successful than Coke. Finally, a few original songs have emerged and Suckerpunch has found themselves in the center of a massive identity crisis... somewhere in a Bermuda Triangle between Van Halen, the Gear Daddies and Wilco, Suckerpunch is looking for itself in Minneapolis and is stopping by the Fine Line to see if they are there.

Only one member of Suckerpunch actually understands what "Attractive Nuisance" means and interestingly enough, it isn't the band's attorney, Nick May, who is still certain "Attractive Nuisance" refers to that hoodrat girl down the block from his childhood home who he watched steal his bike, but who looked so cool in her RATT "Dancing Undercover" t-shirt when she did it that he is still confused over the whole ordeal. When he is not misinterpreting legal doctrine, Nick is playing drums, singing, writing songs and occasionally playing air guitar for the band. The rest of Suckerpunch (none of whom have any legal experience that they're willing to discuss without an attorney present) is made up of Mike Steineman (bass, backing vocals, chef), Scott Fairweather (lead guitar, drums, backing vocals, parliamentarian) and Scott Breimhorst (vocals, guitar, weak link). The band plays regularly in St. Paul at Shamrocks and Shakopee at Turtles, with other shows in between, such as October 9 at the Fine Line. Which should be obvious to anyone who is not, as Counselor May would say, "felony stupid."

The band's playlist consists of around 100 songs, only 60 of which they will play in public. The songs are sing-along songs and dance-along songs and change every once in awhile when the boys get motivated to learn something new. The first song Suckerpunch ever played was "Crossroads" by Cream and the last one they just played a few minutes ago was "Back to You" by Suckerpunch. The bottom line with Suckerpunch is their intent to play rock and roll as well as possible and to turn the fun factor of their shows to 11. A good time is always had by all and Suckerpunch is psyched to play at this year's A.N.T.

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A new management team at Frank Brownstone is taking the beleaguered company in yet another new direction. "We're not a bunch of Wall Street corporate slicks like those crooks runnin' the show before," said new Brownstone singer and rhythm guitar player Billy Brownstone. "We've shut down that high falutin' skyscraper office in downtown Minneapolis. Now we're gonna run this company like a real family-owned bidness - we're gonna run it out of our ranch in North Branch, Minnesota."

"Yessiree," chimed in Buck Brownstone, FB&A's ranch director and bass player. "We're about as down home as down home gets. Our new style speaks for itself - our repertoire s'gonna feature a savory blend of your favorite ol' twangy Frank Brownstone originals, along with classic country favorites, like Waylon & Willie, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, and more. Hell, why we're even gonna play some truckin' music by Jerry Reed."

"Of course, there'll be some suprises," says FB&A drummer Beau Brownstone. "There's always surprises. Expect the unexpected."

FB&A lead guitar player Bennett Brownstone wisecracked, "We recommend trying our new ranch flavored music with some chips, or on a burger. You know ranch flavor goes great with just about anything."

Brownstone fans will recognize one familiar face in the new lineup, Brownstone's family attorney and keyboard player Dan Lipschultz. "We like to call him Danny," said Buck. "Danny is like family to us. He's kinda like the buttermilk in the ranch dressing. It just wouldn't be "made by Brownstone" without him. He seen this family bidness go through lotsa changes over the years. From its humble beginnins in Dad's barn, to Wall Street, and now to the family ranch. Danny never takes that suit off though, no sir. Why, he even was out clearin' brush with us on the ranch one day with his lawyer suit on. That crazy son-of-a-%#)~!"

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Second only to the real thing.

That’s what people are saying about Rattle and Hum, the U2 tribute band from Minneapolis. Playing U2’s biggest hits spanning the band’s more than 30-year musical catalog, Rattle and Hum celebrates U2’s music with a live show that captures the sounds and spirit of U2 in concert.

From "I Will Follow" to "Get on Your Boots," Rattle and Hum brings crowds to their feet to sing and dance to U2 songs that have shaped and defined each decade. Enjoy U2 anthems of the '80s such as "Bad," "Where the Streets Have No Name," "Pride" and "With or Without You." Remember the '90s with the U2 classics "One," "Mysterious Ways" and "Until the End of the World." And sing along with contemporary U2 gems "Beautiful Day," "Vertigo," "Elevation," and "City of Blinding Lights."

Formed in 2006, Rattle and Hum has performed extensively throughout the Midwest, including shows at the Myth, The Fine Line Music Cafe, O'Gara's Garage, and other top music venues in and around their Minneapolis/St. Paul home base. The band has also performed at the Twin Cities Marathon, Midway Stadium (home of the St. Paul Saints), Universal Music’s CD release party for The Joshua Tree 20th Anniversary, and the Great Clips IMAX Theater for the release of U2-3D. Rattle and Hum has been featured by Jack 104 FM, the Cities 97 radio, WCCO radio, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, the Star Tribune, and the Southwest Suburban Newspapers.

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The Sweet Colleens are Jeremy Greenhouse, Pete Sandvik, Dave Bade, Jeff Gram, and Dave Bille — accomplished multi-instrumentalists who together fuse their diverse musical backgrounds into a high-energy, infectious, and crowd-pleasing mix of “Celtic folk-rock and alt. county/Americana, with Cajun and Caribbean seasonings.” With infectious original songs, warm vocal harmonies, and fiery instrumental arrangements, the Sweet Colleens are winning a loyal local following and fans across the Midwest and beyond.

The Sweet Colleens were founded in the waning months of the 20th Century when the band’s ex-pat Canadian co-founders Dave Willcock (guitar) and Jeremy Greenhouse (fiddle) hooked up with Minneapolis native Pete Sandvik (accordion). With the addition of a world-class rhythm section in bassist Dave Bade and drummer Jeff Gram, the band soon established itself as the Twin Cities’ favorite pub band and -- since the release of its debut CD Flop in 2003 and its celebrated sophomore release half a mile from home in 2005 -- has expanded its audience through shows and festivals in the Midwest and even a 2-week jaunt to France. In 2009, acoustic and electric guitarist Dave Bille signed on with the Colleens, rounding out the band with remarkable musicality and some hefty “chops.”

While the band has forged its reputation as a favorite in the Twin Cities’ Irish pub scene, the Sweet Colleens offer a wide range of musical backgrounds that have formed their musical sensibilities. Jeremy Greenhouse (vocals, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica), has recorded and performed extensively with celtic, rock, cajun and country acts in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Pete Sandvik (accordion, piano, guitar, vocals), brings cajun and rock influences and classically-trained dexterity to his accordion playing with the Sweet Colleens. Dave Bade (bass, vocals) offers rock-solid bass during the Sweet Colleens live shows, and everything from bluegrass picking guitar solos to cello on their recordings. Jeff Gram (drums, steel drum, percussion) has recorded and performed in numerous rock, folk, and classical ensembles. Dave Bille (acoustic and electric guitar) brings fifteen years of experience playing diverse musical styles ranging from West African soukous to country blues and American roots rock. Together, The Sweet Colleens offer a unique high-energy roots sound.

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ANT welcomes the Twin Cities Most Average Band, The Mediocritones, to the lineup after years of delay due to incessant contract talks and agent scheduling conflicts. This group of seven mediocre, middle-aged wasteland musicians started modestly in a band member's basement and has developed a cross-metro cult-like following of average people. The Mediocritones play out regularly at Twin Cities bars, clubs and the occasional private party, and are best known for the rock 'n roll covers they perform primarily from the '60s, '70s and '80s, with the occasional modern tune thrown in just to make sure the Gen Y'ers are awake.

From Cream to ZZ Top, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to The Ramones - they play something for everyone. Often referred to as "the 'Tones," their musical repertoire is sure to get you out of your seats dancing: feet tapping, knees cracking, mouth flapping, knuckles rapping and fingers snapping. The thing about mediocrity is that it is always underrated - even more so when the Mediocritones are playing. Illustrious band members include: Dan "this band is worse than mediocre" Nassif on bass and lead vocals; Pat "am I average or mediocre" Sheridan on acoustic guitar, percussion and lead vocals; John "I am not mediocre" Hupp on drums, vocals and saxophone; Joel "father of mediocrity" Cannon on keyboard and vocals; Guy "not even mediocre" Smith on rhythm guitar and bass; Rod "why am I stuck with this mediocre band" England on lead guitar; and Stuart "what is mediocre anyway" Noun on violin, mandolin, percussion and vocals.

The 'Tones work (but not too hard) to win a mildly loyal audience of average people who avoid taking anything, especially themselves, too seriously. Only the mediocre are always at their best, and so are the 'Tones! They'll serve up a Minnesota hot dish of meat-and-potatoes classic rock that will only take a night's sleep to recover from. Come for the music, stay for the beer!