Here's Five: Grant Hart

American punk icon Grant Hart is returning to New Zealand shores this week for a string of shows around the country including the headline slot at the notorious Woodcock Festival. Hart, who formed influential post-hardcore outfit Hüsker Dü in the late 70s and some years later alternative act Nova Mob, has a rich back catalogue up his sleeve which also includes a wealth of solo material. In anticipation of his upcoming tour with backing band The Grant Hart Conspiracy we asked Grant to share five favourite songs from this abundant back catalogue, along with the stories that go with them...

1. 'All Of My Senses'
From the Grant Hart album Intolerance, released in 1989
Recorded this song as the start of my first solo album because I thought that a drum machine would put people in a proper frame of mind about me as a songwriter and musician, not just a drummer.

2. 'Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely'
From the Hüsker Dü album Candy Apple Grey released in 1986
'Don't Want To Know' was the beginning of the end for my days of uncomplicated membership of a band. Warners picked it as the lead of single and it caused upset from one other member who was used to getting the plums. When they picked another song of mine for the follow up my life became a living hell.

3. 'Old Empire'
From the Nova Mob album Nova Mob released 1994
'Old Empire' is somewhat of a tribute to the Native Americans and their blind trust. The "iron horse" can be heard. You may notice the video was done in one shot, till I kicked the door. MTV wouldnt touch it, oh the controversy.

4. 'Nobody Rides For Free'
From the Grant Hart album Good News For Modern Man, released in 1999
'Nobody Rides For Free' is a song about pilgrimage where the narrator makes the discovery that it's Ass, Gas or Grass, the old hitchhiker's fare. The fellow in that video is Charles Plymell, poet author, printer of the first R. Crumb comic and cat lover. Turned Ginsberg on to Bob Dylan. Google away!

5. 'Pink Turns To Blue'
From The Hüsker Dü album Zen Arcade, released in 1984
This video comes from our performance at Provinssirock in 1987. A great quality live video. The actual song 'Pink Turns To Blue' was an oblique reference to death but the youngsters ask me if its about the results of a pregnancy test.

Grant Hart will be performing both solo and with his backing back The Grant Hart Conspiracy, covering songs from across his entire career. Head over here for more information and to buy tickets.