I love seeing The Silverteens on a bill, it’s a sure sign that the mood, energy and volume are going to amp up. It’s music like I remember from the 1980s and feels just as fresh. Happy to learn more about them as I prepare for the 12th annual Silverteens Christmas Show at the Minneapolis Eagles Club!
Can you tell us a little bit about each of the band members (Steve Olson, Jerry Johnson, Mark Engebretson, and Terry Isachsen) who all have a rich history of music in the Twin Cities?
Mark Engebretson: We’ve all been around a while — Terry and I both played at the seminal punk rock nightclub, Jay’s Longhorn in the late 1970s — although our band paths never crossed at the Longhorn. Terry played with Nip and Tuck, a very professional group of musicians and I was in the MORs, a bunch of inexperienced kids caught up in the excitement of the time.
Although we weren’t polished musicians, we did put out two 45s and were on a 1981 compilation called 12 X 8 Showcase that featured the Wallets, the Phones, the Hypstrz and several other bands. By the time of our breakup in January 1981 at the 7th St. Entry, we had made marked improvement. We then morphed into the Whole Lotta Loves, which had a run through 1986, putting out an EP in 1985 and having a track on Big Hits of Mid-America IV in 1986. That version of Big Hits included the Mighty Mofos, the Magnolias, the Jayhawks, Bob Dunlap, and many others.
It wasn’t until around 2012 that I met Terry, seeing him around town in various bands. He is without question one of the best guitarists in Minnesota. You can see him perform in other bands, such as the Flamin’ Oh’s, Curtiss A and Jerks of Fate, and Lolo’s Ghost, among others.
Steve, bass/background vocals, and Jerry, drums/background vocals, also played the Entry in the 1980s and beyond in their own bands. Steve was in Laughing Stock, a post-punk band fronted by vocalist Jim Walsh. They put out an album in1985. Steve also played with Motorhome and Ground Loop, to name a couple. Steve currently also plays bass with Hot Pastrami!, a ’50s/’60s-inspired Surf/Soul/Bubblegum rock & roll band.
Jerry played bass and drums in several Minneapolis bands in the 1980s through the 2000s, including Mezzo Fist, No Apparent Reason, Pushpause, Splat, Helen Killer, and Evaporated Family.
On our new record, Steve and Jerry really shine with their background vocals. They were also instrumental in mixing the tracks — in collaboration with Engineer Paul McFarland from Mere Kat Manor — and working through the mastering process. Jerry also oversaw the graphic design of the record. He had some great ideas that were executed exceptionally well by Jon Hunt. By the way, the record is available to purchase at several local record stores and on Bandcamp. It’s also on all of the streaming services.
How did you guys get to where you are to playing music together?
ME: Jerry and I are the last of the original Silverteens. We formed in late 2011 when Tippy, former guitarist of Man Sized Action, and I decided to put together a new band. Tippy recruited David Moe for bass and Jerry on drums. A couple of years later Tippy left the band and we replaced him with Eric Pierson, an impressive lead guitar shredder, who now plays drums with Brass Elephant. In 2017, David decided to hang it up and he suggested his cousin, Steve, as his replacement. In 2021, Eric left the band and we were thrilled to find that Terry was interested in joining us.
I would say we started out much more punk rock and have evolved into a Garage/Power Pop band over the years, especially with the additions of Steve and Terry.
Q: Your music brings me back to high school to the pop punk sound and charming lyrics, especially in Frantic Romantic or I’m a Fool. What role do memories have in inspiring the songs?ME: “Frantic Romantic” actually is a cover song, written by Australian band, the Scientists, and released in 1979. A lot of our influences are from that era and earlier — punk, but very much late ’70s power pop. Jerry and I are huge fans of the Plimsouls, for example. We also love ’60s garage rock. Steve wrote “I’m a Fool.”
But, yeah, memories of those early years of “punk/new wave/powerpop” — and also of the ’60s garage rock era — are a big inspiration to all of us.
Q: Your songs are so tight. I feel like they are probably born as fully adult songs but that can’t be the case. Is there one songwriter in the group? Do you work collaborative? How do these songs go from just an idea to stage?
ME: Before Terry joined the band, we played mostly covers of mostly obscure garage/punk/powerpop songs. Terry encouraged us to start focusing on originals. Steve is our main songwriter. On the LP, he wrote “I’m a Fool,” “Drive On,” “Stepped in it,” and “Big Commotion.” Jerry and I brought original songs from our work in previous bands — songs that we have always loved, but which were never before released. So, for example, “Marble Heart” was recorded by the Whole Lotta Loves for our 1985 EP, but it didn’t make the cut for whatever reason.
Steve has a bunch of new songs that we’ll be learning soon and I’m working with my pal, Matt Potts (The Loose Rails and Grande Machine), on some new originals for the Silverteens. And Terry has some cool ideas for originals, as well.
Usually, whomever brings their song forward has it pretty much fully formed. Having said that, it’s common for changes to be made as we learn the song together. We get along very well and everyone welcomes input, suggestions, and constructive criticism. It’s a fun group.
Q: Where can people see you play live?
ME: We usually play about once a month at various clubs around town.
Coming up on Saturday Dec. 16 is our 12th annual Silverteens Christmas Show at the Minneapolis Eagles Club. The bill includes the Hypstrz, Little Man, The Loose Rails, Dragnet, and the Silverteens.We also have a Feb. 24 gig at Palmer’s with the Unnamed.
Mostly Minnesota 