Lifter Puller

From Minnewiki

The members of the late, great Lifter Puller and (some of) their reflections.

Lifter Puller, or simply LFTR PLLR was an indie rock band from the Twin Cities between 1994 to 2000. Their music is considered innovative, with its angular riffs and a synth-infused sound that predated the 80's revival fads of the early 2000's. Arguably, however, the band is most known for frontman Craig Finn's elaborate lyrics, which often relied upon a well established universe of drug-addled coeds, cash-strapped nightclub proprietors, murdered ravers and their adventures in a highly fictionalized and decadent version of Minneapolis.

The band released three LPs and an EP before breaking up in the summer of 2000. In 2002, the compilation Soft Rock was released, featuring nearly every song in the Lifter Puller catalogue, excluding their final album, Fiestas and Fiascos, and the songs "Prescription Sunglasses", "Emperor", "Slips Backwards" and "Bitchy Christmas".

As of 2006, all Lifter Puller records are out of print. Craig Finn, in an interview, recently expressed interest in putting out an all-encompassing Lifter Puller box set. Singer/guitarist Craig Finn and bassist Tad Kubler are now members of The Hold Steady, which continues to explore some of the lyrical themes established by Lifter Puller while eschewing the art punk sound of the prior band in favor of a sound more akin to classic-rock revivalism.

Slug, of Minneapolis hip-hop group Atmosphere, is a fan of the band. On the group's 2003 album, Seven's Travels, there is a track titled Lifter Puller. Also, on the track Reflections, Slug references the line "She came on like she wanted a kiss, and now she's kissing like she already came" from Lifter Puller's song Roaming the Foam with the line "You kiss like you already came, and that's a Lifter Puller line for those without any game". Slug also appeared on the Lifter Puller song "Math is Money." In 2002, when the band reunited in New York City, Slug joined the band on stage to perform the song. In 2003, the band reunited once more to play the first 3 nights at the newly renovated Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis.

Members

Craig Finn, lead singer/guitar
Steve Barone, guitar/keyboard
Dan Monick, drums
Tad Kubler, bass guitar(1998-2000)

Past Members
Tommy Roach, bass guitar(1994-1998)

Albums

Lifter Puller, 1997 (Skene! Records)
Half Dead and Dynamite, 1997 (No Alternative Records)
The Entertainment and Arts, 1998 (Threatening Letters)
Fiestas and Fiascos, 2000 (Frenchkiss Records)
Soft Rock, 2002 (Self-Starter ?) (compilation)