The Honeydogs perform in The Current studio
by Andrea Swensson, The Honeydogs and Cecilia Johnson
May 16, 2016
The Honeydogs, a roots-tinged rock group, are one of Minneapolis's most enduring bands. Vocalist/guitarist Adam Levy and bassist/vocalist Trent Norton were there at the Honeydogs' genesis in 1994, and 22 years later, they're joined by Matt Darling (trombone), Steve Kung (trumpet), Ryan Paul Plewacki (guitar/vocals), Peter Anderson (keys/piano), and Peter Sands (drums/percussion).
Because of their longevity, it means a lot to say that the Honeydogs have just released one of their best albums. Love & Cannibalism came out on April 15 of this year, and for the first time since 2012, the band stopped by The Current's studios to chat and perform a few songs.
Electric guitars, trumpets, and trombones have such strong voices that it's easy to let one overpower another, but the Honeydogs are skilled at creating a balance. In "Vermillion Billows (Shouldn't Take It So Hard)," guitar and trumpet mirror each other. Bellowing, listen-to-this-on-the-bank-of-a-creek guitars complement Levy's philosophical wonderings ("How can you dust yourself off in the middle of a sandstorm?") on "Sandstorm."
Levy is frontman of several other bands in the Twin Cities (And The Professors, Bunny Clogs, music under his own name, and more), but he wrote the songs of Love & Cannibalism with just the Honeydogs in mind. The group have been prolific in the studio for quite some time, and the trend continued for this album. Levy called it was "a five-day record," saying, "We tracked the record in five days."
On the key to the band's endurance, Levy noted, "People come and go — based on their lives or creative needs or whatever — but we've always managed to attract really great musicians." According to him, both the Honeydogs' back catalog and the chance to make new music draw artists to the band. On the current line-up, he said, "We love playing with each other."
Listen to the full in-studio to hear "Devices," "Vermillion Billows (Shouldn't Take It So Hard)," and "Sandstorm," plus conversation about telepathy, the nature of change and what goes into making great records.
The Honeydogs celebrate the release of Love & Cannibalism at Mill City Nights on May 21, 2016.
Songs Performed
"Devices"
"Vermillion Billows (Shouldn't Take It So Hard)"
"Sandstorm"
All songs off the Honeydogs' album Love & Cannibalism.
Hosted by Andrea Swensson
Produced by Andrea Swensson
Engineered by Mike DeMark
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Words by Cecila Johnson
