Minnesota music legends the Suburbs preview new album Friday at First Avenue

Friday's First Ave set kicks off a run behind an upcoming album.

February 15, 2017 at 11:11PM
The Suburbs (from left): Steve Brantseg, Jeremy Ylvisaker, Chan Poling, Steve Price and Hugo Klaers. (photo by Jay Smiley)
The Suburbs (from left): Steve Brantseg, Jeremy Ylvisaker, Chan Poling, Steve Price and Hugo Klaers. (photo by Jay Smiley) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Not that the Suburbs need an excuse to return to First Avenue, a club that has survived as many incarnations and music-biz trends as the band itself. However, Chan Poling thinks he and his group have a pretty good reason to be playing there Friday for the first time in three years.

"We're ready to kick off what I think is going to be another great run for this band," the Suburbs frontman said, referring to the fact that there's a new album in the can ready for release later this year.

Titled "Hey Muse," the record is the new wavy dance-rock band's first LP since 2013's well-received "Si Sauvage" — which ended a 25-year recording lull in the Suburbs' discography. It will also be the "Love Is the Law" hitmakers' first album without co-founder Beej Chaney, who left the band due to health issues in 2013. Younger guitar wiz Jeremy Ylvisaker came aboard in the interim.

"I'll always miss Beej," Poling said, "but I'm very proud of this new lineup and what we did with this record. It's really a full-on rock record fueled by the chemistry Steve [Brantseg, the Suburbs' other guitarist] and Jeremy have developed."

Look for a 7-inch single for Record Store Day, April 22, to preview the new album. Poling also thinks they'll play four of the new songs in Friday's set, which will be followed by a longer release party, probably over the summer.

Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658

@ChrisRstrib

The City of St. Paul hosted a "Love is the Law" outdoor musical celebration Tuesday evening, May 14, 2013 to commemorate the signing of the historic marriage bill. The party culminated in the appearance by The Suburbs, whose song, "Love is the Law" became the anthem of the same-sex marriage movement in the state. Chan Poling and bassist Steve Price joined in on the chorus for "Love is the Law" Tuesday night. At left is Chris Osgood. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.co
Chan Poling, center, says the Suburbs are kicking off “another great run.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Chris Riemenschneider

Critic / Reporter

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.

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