Originally
formed as Loud Fast Rules by guitarist Dan Murphy, bassist Karl Mueller
and drummer Dave Pirner in 1981. The band found success as an independent
recording artist for Twin/Tone records with Grant Young on Drums, and Pirner
playing rhythm guitar. From 1984- 1989 Soul Asylum released 5 records on
the Twin/ Tone records, and found a solid musical base on the collage radio
circuit.
In
1989 the band was signed to A&M, but they found little success with
their traditional audience, and failed to find many new fans.
Soul
Asylum is a testimony to perseverance, they never gave up, and in 1992
signed to Columbia records. Their Album Grave Dancers union, was
a multi-platnum success, the singles Shove, and Black gold
got radio and MTV airplay, but it was the song Run Away train that
launched them into a hit band. Shortly after the release of Grave
Dancers, drummer Young left the band
1995's
follow up to Grave Dancers union, Let your dim light shine
really expanded the band musically. With the aid of their new drummer
Sterling Campbell The album peaked at number 6 on Billboard, and the first
single Misery did well making the top 20. However the second single,
Promises
broken fell flat.
The
band Released Candy from a stranger in 1998. Sterling Campbell
does appear on the record but has reportedly left the band on good terms.
Although they have yet to regain the success they witnessed with Grave
Dancers Union, Soul Asylum have proven themselves to be
a top notch band, and continue to produce excellent music.
