Nova Mob

Grant Hart
Grant Hart
Born	Grant Vernon Hart; 18 March 1961 (age 65); South St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	13 September 2017 (aged 56); Fairview University of Minnesota Hospital, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, songwriter
Years active	1979–2017
Known for	Drummer and co-lead singer of Hüsker Dü; founder of Nova Mob; solo career

Grant Vernon Hart (March 18, 1961 – September 13, 2017) was an American musician prominently recognized as the drummer and co-lead singer of the punk rock group Hüsker Dü. Following the band's split in 1988, he launched his solo career with the album Intolerance and later established the alternative rock trio Nova Mob, where he transitioned to guitar and vocals. After Nova Mob disbanded in 1995, Hart concentrated primarily on his solo work.

As a co-songwriter for Hüsker Dü, Hart contributed notable tracks such as "The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill" and "Turn on the News", which received critical praise. His vocal approach provided a melodic and measured contrast to bandmate Bob Mould's style. The themes in his lyrics broadened the scope of hardcore punk, exploring subjects like adolescent isolation in "Standing by the Sea," homicide in "Diane," and whimsical narratives in "Books About UFOs."

Hart passed away on September 13, 2017, due to complications from liver cancer and hepatitis C.

Early life

Born in South St. Paul, Minnesota, Grant Hart was the youngest among his siblings. His parents worked as a credit union employee and a shop teacher. He described his upbringing as that of an average American dysfunctional family, clarifying it was not abusive and without serious grievances. At age ten, Hart's older brother died in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Subsequently, Hart inherited his brother's drum kit and music collection, which sparked his early involvement in various informal bands during his teenage years.

Hart crossed paths with Bob Mould while employed at Cheapo Records in St. Paul. At that time, Mould was a college freshman who purchased marijuana from Hart. Although initially indifferent toward Mould, they eventually developed a friendship.

Hüsker Dü

In 1979, Hart co-founded Hüsker Dü alongside Bob Mould and Greg Norton. The band initially aligned with the early 1980s hardcore punk movement. Family support played a role; for example, Hart’s mother permitted him to use her credit union’s copier to produce show flyers. Additionally, they secured a $2,000 credit union loan to finance their first single, "Statues," released on their Reflex Records label in 1981. Despite modest initial success, by 1982 Hart faced unemployment and depended on friends and relatives for support.

Over time, Hüsker Dü’s sound shifted toward more melodic compositions. By late 1982, Hart’s precise drumming and vocal contributions became more prominent. Although Mould was the main songwriter, Hart increased his songwriting output, including two tracks on the 1983 Metal Circus EP: "Diane" and "It's Not Funny Anymore." Their blend of melodic hardcore resonated with college audiences; songs like "Diane" gained airplay on campus radio stations. Observers dubbed Hart the band's "hippie" due to his long hair and tendency to play drums barefoot; biographer Michael Azerrad highlighted how Hart’s songs conveyed "wide-eyed sincerity," contrasting with Mould’s "incisively bitter" tone.

As both musicians evolved artistically, tensions between them intensified. Beginning with 1984's Zen Arcade, Mould insisted on separate songwriting credits for each member, which escalated competitive dynamics within the group. Nonetheless, Hüsker Dü earned widespread critical acclaim with Zen Arcade and subsequent releases; by their 1985 album Flip Your Wig, both songwriters strove to surpass one another creatively with strong results. The band’s move beyond hardcore punk unsettled their label SST Records, which perceived them as too "soft" due to their touring schedule and occasional upbeat tracks. Hart defended this direction by asserting there was "nothing wrong with being happy."

Hart was responsible for designing most of Hüsker Dü’s album artwork and also created the cover art for The Replacements’ Hootenanny.

In 1986, Hüsker Dü became among the first prominent American indie bands to sign with a major label when they joined Warner Bros. Records. However, internal conflicts worsened after this transition. During the tour promoting their major-label debut Candy Apple Grey, Hart developed a heroin addiction and was erroneously diagnosed as HIV-positive that same year. Open disputes arose; Hart accused Mould of restricting his songwriting contributions to less than 45% per album.

The group disbanded following a performance in Columbia, Missouri in 1987. Hart attempted heroin detoxification using methadone but encountered complications before the concert. Concerned that withdrawal symptoms would impair live shows, Mould canceled upcoming dates despite Hart’s insistence he could perform. Hart attributed the breakup primarily to interpersonal conflicts and diverging creative visions rather than drug use.

Although rumors suggested a romantic involvement between Hart (who was openly bisexual) and Mould (who was openly gay), both denied any such relationship existed.

Solo Endeavors and Formation of Nova Mob

Half a year following the dissolution of Hüsker Dü, Hart discovered that his initial HIV-positive diagnosis was in fact a false positive. In 1988, he introduced his solo EP, 2541, through SST Records, a title referencing the address of his former band's office. The EP's title song was subsequently interpreted by artists such as Marshall Crenshaw and Robert Forster. After this release, Hart embarked on a journey toward sobriety and unveiled the album Intolerance in 1989, followed by the EP All of My Senses in 1990.

Toward the end of 1989, Hart established Nova Mob, enlisting Michael Crego on drums and Tom Merkl on bass, while he himself handled guitar responsibilities. The band’s name drew inspiration from William Burroughs' novel Nova Express. Their initial offerings included the EP Admiral of the Sea and their full-length debut The Last Days of Pompeii, both released in 1991. Subsequently, Marc Retish and Steve Sutherland took over drumming duties, with Chris Hesler joining as lead guitarist. Nova Mob maintained a consistent presence touring across Europe and delivered their sophomore album, Nova Mob, in 1994 before disbanding following the tour supporting that release.

Subsequent Years

Hart returned to solo projects with the live album Ecce Homo in 1995 and later released Good News for Modern Man in 1999. On October 21, 2004, he reunited with Bob Mould during a benefit concert held for Karl Mueller of Soul Asylum.

After a decade-long hiatus from solo studio albums, Hart released Hot Wax in 2009, recorded in both Montreal and Minneapolis. During this period, he collaborated with members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. In 2008, he lent his vocal talents to Belgian ensemble Arsenal's album Lotuk. That same year, Hart premiered the song "Schoolbuses Are For Children" on Myspace. Reissues of both Intolerance and The Last Days of Pompeii were issued in 2010, featuring remastered sound quality along with additional bonus material.

In December 2012, Hart toured Ireland accompanied by a fresh lineup comprising Colm O' Herlihy on guitar, Dan Walsh on drums, and Simon Dargan on bass. He praised their independent spirit which allowed him to concentrate primarily on his music rather than managing band logistics. This group continued performing together for subsequent tours across Europe and the United States.

In 2013, Hart delivered the double album The Argument, drawing creative inspiration from John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. That year also saw documentary filmmaker Gorman Bechard release Every Everything: The Music, Life & Times of Grant Hart, a film chronicling Hart’s career and personal story with Hart himself as the exclusive interviewee.

Hart received two stars on the exterior mural of Minneapolis' renowned venue First Avenue, one recognizing his solo achievements and another honoring his work with Hüsker Dü—an accolade reserved for artists who have made significant cultural contributions to the club and sold out shows there.

As a tribute to his influence, the Posies recorded a track titled "Grant Hart" featured on their 1996 album Amazing Disgrace.

Personal Life

In January 2011, a fire destroyed Hart’s residence. One month later, his mother passed away; Hart attributed her death to circumstances he described as "malpractice," suggesting it was an issue that might prompt legal action if involving someone wealthy.

On July 5, 2017, Hart married Brigid McGough Hart in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Death

Hart passed away on September 13, 2017, at Fairview University of Minnesota Hospital due to complications arising from liver cancer and hepatitis C. He was 56 years old at the time of his death and is survived by his wife, Brigid McGough Hart, along with their son, Karl Turbenson.

Discography

Studio albums

Intolerance (1989, SST)
Good News for Modern Man (1999, Pachyderm)
Hot Wax (2009, Con d'Or)
The Argument (2013, Domino)

Live albums

Ecce Homo (1995, World Service)

Compilation albums

Oeuvrevue (2010, Hazelwood)

EPs

2541 (1988, SST)
All of My Senses (1990, SST)

Singles

"Nobody Rides For Free" (2000, Pachyderm)
"You're The Reflection" (2010, Amphetamine Reptile)
"So Far From Heaven" (2011, Con D'Or)
"Is The Sky The Limit?" (2013, Domino)

Nova Mob

Albums

The Last Days of Pompeii (1991, Rough Trade)
Nova Mob (1994, Restless, World Service)

EPs

Admiral of the Sea (1991, Rough Trade)
Shoot (1992, Big Store)

Singles

"Evergreen Memorial Drive" (1992, Blackbox Records)
"Shoot Your Way to Freedom" (1992, Big Store, Tontine Records)
"Old Empire" (1994, World Service)

External links

[ Allmusic: Grant Hart]