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Crankshaft

Rank #1 Anoka, MN Americana / Blues / Garage

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About

Members: Alexander Craig Larson

Sounds Like: The Black Keys, JD McPherson, Southern Culture on the Skids, Gary Clark Jr, Wanda Jackson

Label: FatCat Radio Network

Bio: Forging his own brand of high-energy, low-brow Upper Mississippi blues, the one-man band powerhouse Crankshaft has been gigging around Minneapolis for nearly three years. Expanding his fanbase with every frenzied performance, Crankshaft earns his living as a musician and is taking his show on th... See Full Bio

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Status

: Hope to see you at Hell's Kitchen tonight, I'm playing with Keith at 6pm, no cover!

Press

“I gotta confess, I'm not the biggest fan of popular music; most of it hurts my ears. But when I heard a teaser of Crankshaft's “What You Gonna Do?,” I needed to hear more. Crankshaft is a breath of fresh air. He's deeply rooted in and finely spins together blazin' blues, rockabilly, a little swing, a pinch of Hank Williams country, with some punk attitude thrown in for extra flavor. It's a throwback to the heyday of a young Elvis Presley and the king of the surf guitar, Dick Dale. Surprisingly, Crankshaft isn't drowned out by these influences, quite the contrary, he draws on them, but the sound is uniquely his. I can't even come up with a comparison to who he sounds like, because he doesn't sound like anyone else. While I especially loved “When The Sun Goes Down,” my favorite is “Trail Of Tears.” It's sultry, smoky … simply devastating. I'm not one to gush about a CD – I tell you what I hear and let you make the decision to buy, but I highly recommend you buy this one.”

— Christine Mlodzik, RiftMagazine.com

“As the tracks go by - "Kingpin," "I Wanna Play," "Waiting for Me" prove that Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders not only are cool cats, but they show incredible range. None of these songs sound the same - but the overall tempo and personality of each song is undeniable ... As if you didn't guess, this "What You Gonna Do?" garners an overall A+ review. This one hits all the right notes in all the right ways. It is unique and refreshinging. It doesn't try to be anything than what it is and leaves the studio tricks at the back door. Love this.”

— Melissa Kucirek, Suite101

“Maybe you wax nostalgically about old Dick Dale records or maybe Big Band and Swing is you thing. Perhaps you miss the yesteryear foundation that gave birth to Southern Rock and vintage Country. If any of the above is the case, this is the album for you. Larson et al. seamlessly genre borrow and meld individual facets into an equally individual sound that would rival that of the Supersuckers or The Old 97s. The recording style (the tracks were laid down in an old barn ) even harkens the echo style of early pioneers of Rockabilly. Simply put this is high energy, low production music that allows the music to speak for itself. As a relatively objective reviewer, I am stepping out of my box here… but this album is really, really, really good.”

— Christopher West, SkopeMag

“These are songs about the working man, for the working man, by the working man with a gritty blues sound that lets you know sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to get the job done. If you’ve ever swung a hammer, welded a joint or spilled blood working under the hood, “Junkyard Rhythm” is a 14-song collection you can surely appreciate.”

— Adam Hammer, St. Cloud Times

“I have to say, this album is a breath of fresh air. This blues-driven rockabilly album gained my admiration by the end of the opening title track. “Junkyard Rhythm” is a really cool instrumental that definitely lives up to its title. You can hear what sounds like metal grinding, drumming on what seems to be car parts, blues-a-billy guitar, and even a little harmonica. All of the songs are built upon the concept of the “workin’ man”, which Crankshaft has captured amazingly well. It really fires up the imagination and is highly relatable.”

— Lindsey Pickett, Gravy and Biscuits

“Junkyard Rhythm gives decades old music a modern makeover and it does it very well. The production is spectacular and the music itself is killer. It’s definitely an album made for fans of the blues and old-school rock n’ roll.”

— Kyle Berg, Buzzbin Magazine

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Songs

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Kingpin

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Waiting For Me

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Barkin' Up The Wron…

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Videos

Crankshaft & The Gear Grinders - Neighbor Boys Music Video

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Shows

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Sat
Jun 15

Norm's Blues Fest.
Buffalo, MN, US | 8:00pm
Norm's Blues Fest.
Buffalo, MN, US
Sat Jun 15 8:00pm
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- Tickets
Fri
Jun 21

Hambone Blues Fest.
Rochester, MN, US | 8:00pm
Hambone Blues Fest.
Rochester, MN, US
Fri Jun 21 8:00pm
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- Tickets
Sat
Aug 10

Bayfront Blues Festival
Duluth, MN, US | 10:00am
Bayfront Blues Festival
Duluth, MN, US
Sat Aug 10 10:00am
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- Tickets
Sat
Aug 31

Rumble Fest.
Amherst, WI, US | 11:00am
Rumble Fest.
Amherst, WI, US
Sat Aug 31 11:00am
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Sun
Sep 1

Minnesota State Fair Gr…
Saint Paul, MN, US | 10:00am
Minnesota State Fair Grand...
Saint Paul, MN, US
Sun Sep 01 10:00am
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Comments

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Sunday wilde
GO Alex GO. hugs from the wilds of northern Ontario
Eugene Helix
We walked in on you playing Famous Daves with all intentions of having a drink and going elsewhere. We stayed for the entire show. It was great.
Ben Aaron
You are my hero, Crankshaft! Keep on rockin' and burnin' rubber. From another Minnesota musician, -Ben Aaron