The Wallets

The Wallets were a band from the Twin Cities, who recorded on the local Twin/Tone Records label in the 1980s.

The Wallets
OriginMinneapolis, United States
GenresPost-punk
Years activeEarly 1980s–1988
LabelsTwin/Tone
Past membersSteve Kramer
Erik Anderson
Jim Clifford
Rod Gordon
Max Ray

History

The Wallets were founded as an experimental group by accordionist Steve Kramer and managed by Bob Hest.[1]

The Allen Toussaint-produced debut album Take It was released in 1986, described by Spin as urban soul and funk with "a Cajun smell to their work".[2] The album saw the band described as "art rockers who not only want to groove but know how to groove".[3]

Kramer decided to retire the band in spring 1988, but waited until their final album, Body Talk, was released late in the fall before announcing the split.[4] The Wallets performed their final show at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis on January 23, 1989.[5][6]

Steve Kramer and the Wallets at First Avenue c.1982

Kramer and Hest later formed an advertising agency, currently known as Hest & Kramer, Van House Weber,[7] noted for its use of music in television ads for clients such as Target Stores, MTV, Time Warner, and Buick.[8][9]

Kramer died in January 2013 at age 59.[10][11]

Musical style

The Minneapolis Star Tribune summed the band's style up as a "mix of polka, rock, rhythm-and-blues, jazz and whimsy".[12]

Awards

The band received several Minnesota Music Awards ("Minnies"), with ten nominations in 1987.[13]

Discography

Albums
  • Take It (1986), Twin/Tone
  • Body Talk (1988), Twin/Tone
  • 17 Songs (1989), Twin/Tone

EPs
  • Catch a Falling Star (1983), Spiffola 333

Singles
  • "Night Before Christmas" (1983)
  • "Totally Nude" (1986)

References
  1. Baenen, Jeff (1997) "Ex-band mates finf success in ad world", Reading Eagle, December 26, 1997, retrieved 2010-08-25
  2. Stim, Rich (July 1987). "Wallets: Take It". SPIN. pp. 26–7. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  3. "The Wallets Put Art Rock in the Pocket", San Jose Mercury News, November 16, 1986
  4. "It's official: Wallets will fold as newest album is released", Star-Tribune, November 4, 1988
  5. Bream, Jon (22 January 1989). "Wallets' Last Gig Will Reprise Many Memories". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  6. Bream, Jon (24 January 1989). "Wallets Are at Their Zany, Brilliant Best in Farewell Show". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  7. Archived 2007-09-12 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Bream, Jon (1997) "Ex-Wallets finally get musical payoff - off the stage", Star-Tribune, August 24, 1997
  9. Baenen, Jeff (1998) "The Beat Goes On--to TV Jingles; Advertising: Two rock band graduates make their past pay off in music for commercials", Los Angeles Times, February 12, 1988
  10. Fischer, Reed (21 January 2013). "RIP Steve Kramer of the Wallets (1953-2013)". City Pages. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  11. Tillotson, Kristin (21 January 2013). "Steve Kramer of the Wallets dead at 59". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  12. "Going-out-of-business party", Star Tribune, December 29, 1988
  13. "Nominees announced for state music awards", Star-Tribune, April 2, 1987
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