A message from Dan Murphy

Discuss any aspect of Soul Asylum, their music, and the band's members.
CurlyMudgeon
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by CurlyMudgeon »

I'd just like to give a shout to Grant Young in this thread.

philgar
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by philgar »

It's difficult to express just what this means to me, beyond the obvious that Soul Asylum is no more (the label can stay attached to Dave/Michael if they want, but that doesn't make it Soul Asylum)... I hope the end of the line gets respected, as I'm sure it was a long time coming.

After the band has been making music for 30 years now, it was obvious for some time now that the end was approaching (the last 15 years of the band's existence speaks loudly to me). Not to say they weren't great at the end, they were every bit as amazing, but it wasn't a full time gig, and I think we all knew it, even if we didn't want to admit it.

To say Soul Asylum had a major impact on my life would be an understatement. They helped form who I am today, for better or for worse. Getting into them led me to most of the music I listen to today (directly or indirectly), and through following them, I've met some of the best friends I've ever had (and I don't mean the band here).

I know I'll miss seeing Soul Asylum shows into the future, but I'm quite glad I got to see the 25+ shows I saw (i don't know how many it was, definitely more than 20, possibly more than 30 across at least 10 different states) . However, what I'll miss the most isn't so much the soul asylum concerts themselves. I mean, i will, but there are many bands I have seen in recent years where the shows are as enjoyable, or almost as enjoyable as SA shows, however what I'll miss is the excuse to visit and hang out with so many of my friends. Sure, we can get together other times, and I'm sure I'll run into some of you at other shows, but there won't be the central gatherings that we've had in times past.

The MPLS shows really shined here, where the front rows were just packed with people I've known for years. Chicago and Milwaukee shows were nearly the same. Just great fun, and I'll have to find new excuses to get together with everyone.

My current hope is just that SA (with Dan) isn't 100% done. I'm pretty sure the new albums and tours are done, and I really hope Dave doesn't carry on on his own using the name for too long, but I can hope in a few years time the lineup might get back together for a one-off show now and again. Possibly for charity, or just for fun (think holiday shows). It sounds like everything is relatively amicable, and Dan just doesn't want a full time gig with the band anymore. I'm hoping this is the case, and down the road we might get a few "full band" shows.

I suppose I'm rambling now, but I wish Dan the best on his own. I never expected the band to continue on like they have after Karl passed away, and respect the band tremendously for pushing forward afterward. I can't imagine anything that could have been harder for the guys to do. After 30 years of some of the greatest music ever made, it's time to move on, and only time will tell what we'll hear from the members on their own.

Phil

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triumph3434
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by triumph3434 »

Crazy. Not sure it wil be the same, but I guess im glad the band will keep going. Perhaps dan will do solo stuff? Golden Smog? Or is he just out and done?

Educatrix
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by Educatrix »

Really well said, philgar.

philgar
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by philgar »

triumph3434 wrote:Crazy. Not sure it wil be the same, but I guess im glad the band will keep going. Perhaps dan will do solo stuff? Golden Smog? Or is he just out and done?

From what I'm reading on news sites, it seems more that Dan was really sick of the music business, and wanted less and less to do with it as time moved on. This put him at odds with the rest of the band who wanted more of a full time gig. I'd doubt he'd want to put out a solo album, and not sure if he'd join the smog for working on new material, but I wouldn't be surprised if he surfaced to play shows with them, as playing a one off show every few years doesn't seem like a big commitment, more of an excuse to hang out with other friends you don't see often.

Phil

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PAULY
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by PAULY »

Dan the man will always remember hanging out with you backstage at the house of blues in Orlando in 2006....while we compared my made to be broken egg ink too your Milo ink after 1 of the many great shows that only you and dave and soul asylum can do. priceless memories that will last a life time till i take it to the grave. soul asylum may go on {which ill forever follow} but will never feel like the real deal soul asylum with you and Dave doing black gold live together that culd never be replaced. thanks for doing what you do and did for this band and will never be forgotten ... means more then youll ever know what your music has done for me. i say thanks much from a die hard soul asylum fan for over 25 years now ..... ENDLESS FAREWELL.... PAULY 27

afithianruby
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by afithianruby »

All the best to you, Dan. It is okay to take a step back and look at the big picture of your life. You have given us all decades of your talent and commitment. Much appreciation. I hope that when you are ready we will be graced again with the sharing of your gifts. Meanwhile, enjoy the ride!
From an old high school friend (who was even there for the debut of Loud Fast Rules),
Allison (Fithian) Ruby

afithianruby
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by afithianruby »

And At Last too!

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zany
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by zany »

Dan,
thanks most of all for writing my favorite soul asylum songs! i'm so glad i got to meet you this year after the CT casino show - just in time i guess - thanks for sticking around and signing autographs and taking photos with your fans. aww i so wish there had been a dan-written song on delayed reaction.
wish you all the best - and if you want to do a golden smog show or SA-reunion show in new england then i shall see you again!

mystic_spiral_3
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Re: A message from Dan Murphy

Post by mystic_spiral_3 »

Well, as I said in the "status" thread, the rational part of me is not surprised and understands, and the emotional part of me is sad. Thanks to Liz for texting me at work (not being sarcastic, I like everyone wanted an update). Now I'm at home and that emotional part can get a little teary.

Soul Asylum is my favorite band since I was 15. So, that's 19 years and more than half my life. Wow. It's because of SA that I met some of my best friends (you know who you are), went on concert road trips, and got into alternative rock, or maybe just music in general. On a silly note, I could even give SA credit for my love of Spaghettios and Mountain Dew. ;)

I'm not sure how I feel yet about a non-Dan SA show. I said earlier this year that I felt like the band was on borrowed time since Karl died, though I was indeed grateful for that borrowed time. We got two more albums and more fun gatherings with our friends. I know it won't feel the same, but I suspect that the pull of seeing concerts and hanging out with my friends will be too great if the show is in driving distance or if enough of them are gathering in Minneapolis. Like Phil said, my hope is that there will be some one-off shows featuring Dan just hanging out with his friends and playing music.

My sisters have been checking in over the last week to see if there is any Dan news. While they aren't fans, they have been to four SA shows and know how much the band has meant to me. My sister Emily made a great point as she tried to cheer me up via text: "Just be happy you got to see him with the band as many shows as you did. Most people don't get to see their favorite bands that much that easily. Lucky girl!" She's right, I am lucky, and we all were lucky. She also referred to some of us multi-show-goers as "concert royalty." :)

Dan, if you're reading this, thanks for 31 years of great music, even if I only heard of you for 19 of them. You were my favorite member of the band, and songs like "Cartoon" and "Promises Broken" have given me comfort when I needed it-they even calmed me down as I was walking to a meeting at work a few weeks ago! I also appreciated that you were kind to the fans. I got a chance to talk with you a few times, a few pictures too, and always appreciated it. Hearing that you liked my Golden Smog shirt at the Wolf Den made my day a few weeks ago. I wish you the best, whatever you do.

Sarah (the girl who is usually front row, taking notes, and might be wearing a Golden Smog shirt) :)

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