Hüsker Dü broke with the anti-traditionalist ethos of most early hardcore bands. Their early songwriting shows the influence of folk, 1960s pop music, blues, and other forms (although often buried under a thick layer of angst and aggression), and has a strong melodic sense. The lyrics made astute, sharp, personal and social commentary, showing a great deal of vulnerability and sympathy for their subjects. Hüsker Dü's songwriting was widely admired, and their live shows were often a venue for brilliant improvisational playing. (A feedback-laden solo guitar performance from an early-'80s soundcheck tape merited release via the avant-garde Telus Magazine.) Hüsker Dü were also, however, widely regarded as somewhat unusual-sounding in their early prime, due to the instruments' non-standard tones: Mould's guitar is described below, while Hart's drums were considered 'thumpy' (and he consistently played slightly behind the beat); Norton played bass fairly laconically even at fast tempos, using his fingers rather than a pick. The band's sound can be considered an organic synthesis of these elements -- a unit that was quite powerful in combination, yet perhaps difficult to parse singly.
A particular strength of the group was the two powerhouse singer/songwriters, Mould and Hart. The tension between their musical styles (Mould was generally the angrier songwriter, Hart the more melodic one), and their willingness to collaborate, made the sum of their contributions greater than their parts. Another strength was Mould's unique, resonant guitar sound, described by a critic at the time as "molten metal pouring from the speakers." Mid-period Hüsker Dü songs are immediately recognizable via Mould's incandescent guitar tone, achieved by splitting the signal in the studio between amplified and direct tones and adding a light stereo chorus effect. Mould's technique involved playing resonant drone notes on the high strings. Although a trio, Hüsker Dü generally sounded extremely large on record and live.
The group is also notable as one of the first 1980s American underground rock bands to contract with a major record label, a move that blazed the trail for the rise of alternative rock a few years later. Another key Minneapolis band who served as an alternative rock icebreaker was The Replacements, who had a friendly rivalry with Hüsker Dü.
Mould has gone on to release other albums, including a recent solo double album release called Body of Song. Prior to that he took a stint as a writer for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) scripting scenarios and fights.
Grant Hart died from cancer on September 14, 2017.
M.I.C.
Hüsker Dü Lyrics
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Blood for fuel, and limbs for lumber
They just wanted more machines
For their modern war machine
M.I.C. Am I seeing it right?
M.I.C. Must be time to fight
M.I.C. The war machine is growing
The lyrics of "M.I.C." by Hüsker Dü are a critique of the military-industrial complex (M.I.C.) and the way it functions. The first two lines refer to the exploitation of individuals by the complex, with people being treated as resources to be used as fuel for war or as raw material for building weapons. The line "They just wanted more machines" reflects the never-ending desire of the M.I.C. to build more weapons and expand its power. The final line of this verse, "For their modern war machine" encapsulates the central theme of the song – the idea that the M.I.C. is a self-perpetuating system that is focused solely on the production of weaponry and the continuous cycle of war.
Line by Line Meaning
Time for a lottery, they got your number
It is time for a draft and they have selected you
Blood for fuel, and limbs for lumber
They are using the bodies of young soldiers to power their war
They just wanted more machines
The military industrial complex desires more weapons and equipment
For their modern war machine
To maintain and expand their military power
M.I.C. Am I seeing it right?
Military Industrial Complex, is this truly what I'm witnessing?
M.I.C. Must be time to fight
The military industrial complex's power and influence must be challenged with action
M.I.C. The war machine is growing
The military industrial complex continues to increase its power and influence
M.I.C. I'm not fucking going
Refusal to be drafted or support the military industrial complex's agenda
Contributed by Andrew J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.