Frances Gumm bring bedlam to the Bedlam

by Cyn Collins, TC Daily Planet • August 19, 2008 •

“No cover, no mercy!” As part of an unprecedented collaboration between Imaginary Press Reading Series and Riot Act Reading Series, hostess Paula Cizewski and host Paul D. Dickinson combine forces and bring punk poetic artistry to the Bedlam Theatre on Wednesday. This is no old-school punk cheap imitation cover band—Paul D’s infamous punk band Frances Gumm is old-school, now let back into Hennepin County for their premiere Bedlam performance. Minneapolitans can now experience what St. Paulis already have: full throttle Frances Gumm punk. Plus, poetry! And the circuit-bending sonic artistry of Beatrix*JAR!

Arts Orbit is a multisource blog about the local arts scene, featuring both original contributions by Daily Planet writers and entries reprinted from partner blogs and online publications.

Paul D. Dickinson, Frances Gumm’s lead singer/guitarist and songwriter, was the founder of the legendary Speedboat Gallery. A long-renowned poet of high caliber and dark humor, Paul D. has performed as the notorious Punk Poet Paul D. on Electric Arc Radio Show and has been the primary instigator and M.C. of Riot Act Reading Series events held at the Turf Club and other locations over the past couple of years. On Wednesday, Paul and Paula bring music and poetry readings to Bedlam Theatre. Poets include Julie Doxsee, Paul D., Laura Brandenburg, and Paula Cisewski, with fantastic electronic and circuit-bender music by duo Beatrix*JAR and Frances Gumm.

Frances Gumm (named after Judy Garland’s real name) have performed since the early ‘80s with Pavement, Sebadoh, and many more bands, playing regularly in New York City. David “Stainless Steel” Theil is a wildcat on bass, thrilling to watch dancing while playing. Leo Kuelbs pounds the skins. Kim Ha, on keyboards and vocals, is a fresh addition to the band. Dickinson’s lyrics, wrought with wry wit yet deeply astute societal observations, are the icing on the cake of Frances Gumm’s in-your-face fun punk onslaught.

Citing influences from Arcwelder to the Minutemen, the Kinks, the Strokes, the Who and Black Flag, Frances Gumm encompass elements of these while remaining defiantly, uniquely themselves. To know what that means you’ll have to see their show. As Paul D. says: “Lock ‘n’ load, rock ‘n’ roll, death to tyranny, over and out!”