1-6-2012 --- I got my first ever mention in the Star Tribune today! "One-man band Crankshaft (aka Alex Larson) offers "high-energy, low-brow, Upper Mississippi blues." That's his own description, and it's an accurate one, though on his terrific 2011 Christmas single "Louisiana Bayou Santa," the vibe was definitely more Lower Mississippi. If you like pizza with your blues, he has a new home every Thursday night in Robbinsdale. And if you like boogie with your pizza, Crankshaft will deliver. (8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Eagles Nest Lounge, 4106 Lakeland Av. N., Robbinsdale, 763-533-0800. No cover.) by Tom Surowicz"
12-29-2011 --- A huge thanks to 88.1 FM KVCS, 90.3 FM KFAI, and 89.3 The Current for playing "Louisiana Bayou Santa!"
12-19-2011 --- Thanks for coming out to my last Sunday show at the River City Saloon, we raised $222 for the Anoka Food Shelf, and we took in what felt like about 150lbs of canned food and non perishables! The River City will still have live music on Sundays, please support my friends Kevin 'Kp' James, Sam Kuusisto, and Big Al & Carmen Mevissen, it sounds like they will be in rotation there on Sunday nights. Thanks for all the great times we had together there!
12-13-2011 --- I don't know if there's something in the water today or what! I talked to the local music director at 89.3 The Current and it sounds like there's a pretty good chance that "Louisiana Bayou Santa" will get a little rotation on the air next week! Tonight a writer for a local publication contacted ME and asked if he and his photographer could come report an event that I planned and am playing at, I guess there are first times for everything but ....DAMN!
12-10-2011 --- A big thanks to Doug and MJ for having Crankshaft and The Gear Grinders at Live From Studio 5! If you missed the broadcast you can stream the archive here for two more weeks: www.kfai.org/livefromstudio5
12-4-2011 --- "Motorcycle Woman" from the album Junkyard Rhythm was featured as a bumper track on NPR's Car Talk yesterday! This is Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders first nationally syndicated play! Thanks so much Click & Clack!
11-20-2011 --- I finished writing a song ten days ago. Since then the music has been learned by the band, recorded in the studio, the vocals are finished, it's been mixed, and it was sent out to be mastered this morning. Stay tuned, it will be released and FREE to download on Friday!
11-14-2011 --- Thanks so much for coming out to the River City last night, the release party was such a good time! We have sold a bunch of copies already so if you want to get a copy of the Live At The River City Saloon CD you better come out to a show or swing by Mr. Marks Music in Anoka before they are all gone! I only pressed 500 and this release WILL NOT BE REPRESSED! Thanks to every one that purchaced a copy, I only have to sell a few more to break even on the project!
10-30-2011 --- Rachel, Trixie and I have made it home safe! We managed to stay in one piece after playing 26 shows and driving 4,635 miles in 30 days. The kindness we encountered on the road was unbelivable, thanks so much to everyone who helped us out along the way! I'm sure you will also be glad to hear that the fan owned, crankshaft operated tour bus is still in one piece too! Rachel should have the Tour Blog finnished by tomorrow, check it out if you get a chance, there's a link below! I'll see you at the home coming show at the River City Saloon on November 6th! Come out and BOOGIE!
9-27-2011 --- We are almost ready to hit the road! Thanks for all the good luck wishes, the Crankstead has seen many friends and family stopping buy with care packages, anything from salsa to champagne to bring with us on tour! We are so lucky to have such awesome people around us. A bunch of people have asked us to keep them in the loop about our trip so Rachel made a new blog titled "Leavin' This Town." Fitting right?! If you get a chance, bookmark that sucker, the address is: http://leavinthistown.blogspot.com. Thanks again for all the support you guys, It's super bad ass that we will be traveling in a "Fan Owned" RV! We'll see you the beginning of November! In the meantime, keep the shinny side up!
9-25-2011 --- I added a new Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders video to the site this morning! The video was recorded at Lee's Liquor Lounge the night of the Junkyard Rhythm CD release party, check it out in the Video section!
9-21-2011 --- The last run of T-shirts is nearly sold out, I guess people like wearing my screaming face! Anyway, I printed a new run this week. Inspired by the request bomb The Current flyer I made back in July they are by far the coolest design yet! Check it out in the Merch section of the site!
9-19-2011 --- What an amazing tour send off show last night, holy crap what a blast! The River City was hoppin'! A huge thanks to everyone who came out, a special thanks to Fenchy, Keith and Pat for playing as the Gear Grinders and a very special thanks to Ronnie and Dave, Anita K. , and Courtney and Sarah.... you know why! I'll see you all back at the River City Saloon November 6th!
8-18-2011 --- Neighbor Boys is going to be played on The Current's Local Show which airs this Sunday between 6-8pm! The request bombing campaign was a success! Just do me a favor and continue to send them requests when you're tuned in and wishing they were playing Crankshaft! The only way my tunes will ever get into their rotation is if there are semi-frequent requests. So log on to www.thecurrent.org or dial 651-989-4893 and when they answer tell 'em, "Play some Crankshaft, because I need to BOOGIE!" Thanks again everyone!
Old News
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 fan base with every frenzied performance, Crankshaft earns his living as a musician and is taking his show on the road following the release of his new album, Junkyard Rhythm.
