North of Grand

Chockful of clever lyrics ("Republican"), memorable melodies ("This is Started"), catchy hooks ("Chemical"), and driving rhythms ("Long Ago"), "Attention to Revenge" is the breakthrough album we've been waiting for from this talented trio of local punk rockers and is sure to garner the band some much-deserved national attention. North of Grand, which formed in 2003 after singer-guitarist Sean Wilson, bassist Dan Ketelsen, and drummer Pat Curtis left The Miltons, may have been known at one time as one of Des Moines' best-kept secrets, but thanks to their stellar new album, the cat is out of the bag. -- Michael Swanger - Cityview - May 2005

To cut through general bar noise and the inevitable apathetic attitudes of some patrons gathered within, modern rock bands had better be able write songs that get people's attention quickly. Des Moines' North of Grand has succeeded in this objective with their debut, "Wrong Way Home." These punked up popsters have released a disc of eight catchy rock nuggets that make you want to stop whatever you're doing and give a closer listen just to see where the song is going to end up. There's nothing fancy here; just power chords, a few guitar solos, fine song craftsmanship and tight playing. The disc is full of muscle and packed with energy, but, thankfully, North of Grand isn't trying to set land speed records with every tune. The slightly-faster-than-mid-tempo pace of the record lets you digest the tunes without being run over by them. At 23 minutes, the record is a small dose of the band, but just enough to leave you wanting more. The band consists of Sean Wilson (guitar, vocals), Pat Curtis (drums, vocals), and Dan Ketelsen (bass). The three were all members of The Miltons, and left to form North of Grand in March of this year. - Pointblank (Des Moines)

For those about to drink, North of Grand salutes you. The eight beer-soaked anthems on the Des Moines power trio’s debut album, “Wrong Way Home,” pay homage to the band members’ favorite watering holes along Ingersoll Avenue, the street just north of Grand Avenue. And they do it all in a mere 23 minutes.

Formed earlier this year when Dan Ketelsen (bass), Pat Curtis (drums) and Sean Wilson (vocals-guitar) split from local pop punk band The Miltons, North of Grand strings together a solid set of working-class rock ‘n’ roll.

North of Grand doesn’t try to hide its influences, most obviously L.A. punks Social Distortion and Cedar Falls’ pre-eminent alternative rockers House of Large Sizes. Blaring guitar licks and despair-filled lyrics strut snotty punk attitude on “My Only Friend.” The feedback-filled riffs and shout-out vocals on “Suburban Crisis” play like a tribute to HOLS.

North of Grand also gives a rambling toast to the Groovie Ghoulies on “The Highwayman.”

The songs flow well, especially the placement of the slow-building “Lame” before the Molotov cocktail “Reputation,” which the members of North of Grand rip through like a wolverine in a woolsack.
- Cityview