The Wallets were a band from the Twin Cities, who recorded on the local Twin/Tone Records label in the 1980s.
The Wallets | |
|---|---|
 Steve Kramer and the Wallets at First Avenue c. 1982 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Minneapolis, United States |
| Genres | Post-punk |
| Years active | Early 1980s–1988 |
| Labels | Twin/Tone |
| Past members | Steve Kramer Erik Anderson Jim Clifford Rod Gordon Max Ray |
History
editThe Wallets were founded as an experimental group by accordionist Steve Kramer and managed by Bob Hest.[1]
The Allen Toussaint-produced debut album Take It was released in 1986, described by Spin as urban soul and funk with "a Cajun smell to their work".[2] The album saw the band described as "art rockers who not only want to groove but know how to groove".[3]
Kramer decided to retire the band in spring 1988, but waited until their final album, Body Talk, was released late in the fall before announcing the split.[4] The Wallets performed their final show at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis on January 23, 1989.[5][6]
Kramer and Hest later formed an advertising agency, currently known as Hest & Kramer, Van House Weber,[7] noted for its use of music in television ads for clients such as Target Stores, MTV, Time Warner, and Buick.[8][9]
Musical style
editThe Minneapolis Star Tribune summed the band's style up as a "mix of polka, rock, rhythm-and-blues, jazz and whimsy".[12]
Awards
editThe band received several Minnesota Music Awards ("Minnies"), with ten nominations in 1987.[13]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Take It (1986), Twin/Tone
- Body Talk (1988), Twin/Tone
- 17 Songs (1989), Twin/Tone
EPs
edit- Catch a Falling Star (1983), Spiffola 333
Singles
edit- "Night Before Christmas" (1983)
- "Totally Nude" (1986)
References
edit- ^ Baenen, Jeff (1997) "Ex-band mates finf success in ad world", Reading Eagle, December 26, 1997, retrieved 2010-08-25
- ^ Stim, Rich (July 1987). "Wallets: Take It". SPIN. pp. 26–7. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^ "The Wallets Put Art Rock in the Pocket", San Jose Mercury News, November 16, 1986
- ^ "It's official: Wallets will fold as newest album is released", Star-Tribune, November 4, 1988
- ^ Bream, Jon (22 January 1989). "Wallets' Last Gig Will Reprise Many Memories". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- ^ Bream, Jon (24 January 1989). "Wallets Are at Their Zany, Brilliant Best in Farewell Show". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- ^ [1] Archived 2007-09-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bream, Jon (1997) "Ex-Wallets finally get musical payoff - off the stage", Star-Tribune, August 24, 1997
- ^ Baenen, Jeff (1998) "The Beat Goes On--to TV Jingles; Advertising: Two rock band graduates make their past pay off in music for commercials", Los Angeles Times, February 12, 1988
- ^ Fischer, Reed (21 January 2013). "RIP Steve Kramer of the Wallets (1953-2013)". City Pages. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ Tillotson, Kristin (21 January 2013). "Steve Kramer of the Wallets dead at 59". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Going-out-of-business party", Star Tribune, December 29, 1988
- ^ "Nominees announced for state music awards", Star-Tribune, April 2, 1987