Twenty years ago today — Feb. 16, 2001 — a mysterious guitar player emerged from the audience at the NorShor Theatre to join Duluth band Bone Appetit for a rendition of the Judas Priest song “Living After Midnight.”
The band Bone Appetit rests between a parody and an homage to 1980s hair metal. Ahead of the reunion show Saturday at R.T. Quinlan’s, members Ryan Van Slooten and Cory Ahlm discussed the band’s signature song, “Drive Away,” while Tony Bennett of Cars & Trucks and Alan Sparhawk of Low share their thoughts on Bone Appetit’s place in Duluth music history.
Ahhh … the fresh spring air, clogged lungs and diseased livers. Scenes from the Homegrown Music Festival Kickball Classic of a decade ago, and the after-party at the Shaky Ray. The song is Bone Appetit’s “Drive Away.” Video shot and edited by Barrett Chase.
A pair of photos from the Boogieman Project — the NorShor Theatre’s Halloween party on Oct. 28, 2000.
According to this blurb from the Oct. 18, 2000 issue of the Ripsaw, Cory Ahlm changed his name to Hot Rod 10 years ago this week.
Of course, Hot Rod would later expand his name to Hot Rod Heartthrob, and Bone Appetit would switch from being Duluth’s self-proclaimed “worst band” to its “sexiest band.”
Woah, that’s rock and roll.
Well, Bone Appetit played it’s last show ever last weekend, and it ended just like it began — sloppy, drunken, and unpredictable.
Thanks to everyone throughout the years that supported us, and thanks even more to the people who took time out of their lives to rip on us, thus giving us even more press than our supporters. I wish I could take the time to individually thank everyone, but I refuse to do that knowing I’d forget someone. We may have never sang about “what’s cool,” and never really fit in with the whole Duluth scene, but to those that embraced us for doing whatever the fuck we wanted, I thank you!
I have more good and funny memories from that band than most any other thing in life, and even though some of us don’t really get along in the band anymore, I will still say that I love each and every one of those guys. We’ll never get the accolades that some bands in that town get, but there isn’t one fucking person who deny that we fucking rocked that town over the years. In the end, I like to think we left a nice big skid mark on certain parts of that music scene that can’t be wiped off.
To everyone I’ve had a beer/smoke/laugh with over the last 11 years in this band, I have nothing but thanks for you. I love you all, and Good Fucking Night.
Love always,
Cory “Hotrod” Ahlm
P.S. Special thanks to Starfire, Adam Guggemos, Paul Lundgren/Barrett Chase, Christa Lawler, Rick Boo, Eric Swanson, Slim Goodbuzz, Jason Cork, and Chris Whittier. Anyone else I forgot, hit me up for a beer.
This Friday, at the Rex Bar in the Fitger’s Complex – roughly 60 hours from now, maybe more, depending on where SuddendEATH is – Bone Appetit will play its last show ever. Bone Appetit: Duluth’s Worst, then Sexiest, then Greatest Band, forever laid to rest after over a decade of service to you, the citizens of Duluth. As of last glance, there are 85 confirmed guests for this show, which [using mathematical extrapolation, as well as consulting my trick knee] means the room will be filled well beyond the fire marshal’s stated capacity.
Leaving behind thousands of ringing ears, hundreds of broken hearts, and three or four pairs of ripped leather pants, Bone Appetit is ready for their big finale. For over 10 years Duluth’s favorite sons have continually demonstrated that they’re not the best band in town–just the greatest. Join Hotrod, Richie Gunns, Double Barrel, Sudden Death, and Jizzy Young for one last rock n’ roll joyride full of booze, swagger, high-fives, and songs that will leave you knocked up and thrown in jail.
So grab a beer (it’s on you) and push your way to the front, for this really *is* the end, my lovely, lovely, lovely friend…
Bone Appetit
10/31/99 – 5/7/10
Joining us on the bill: Bradical Boombox, Hotel Coral Essex, and Cars & “Fucking” Trucks.
Just fucking be there, OK??
Ten years ago this weekend, music history was made.
Missing promo photos, Homegrown 2003
With the likes of Ricky Martin, Lou Bega and Sixpence None The Richer dominating the charts, backlash was inevitable. The world clamored for a band which did not suck; did not dance on stage [at least, with choreography]; and had the good sense to combine the best parts of Guns N’ Roses, the Misfits and Mötley Crüe into one girlfriend-thieving package.
This band, of course, was Bone Appetit.
People are speculating that “Running to the End of the World,” a song off Marilyn Manson’s latest album “The High End of Low,” bears an uncanny resemblance to our beloved hometown heroes’ seminal ballad, “Drive Away.” Stick with this story: Controversy (and hilarity) are bound to ensue.
