offkeyzine:

Recommended Video #8 - The Hold Steady

While not strictly a punk band (okay, not at all), I feel like The Hold Steady deserve a mention for the video directly above.

This is the performance of the song “Stuck Between Stations” from the album Boys And Girls In America on the Late Show with David Letterman. Craig Finn’s vocal performance (especially in the second verse, starting at 1:33) is so emotive and powerful, in my opinion far surpasses the recorded version.

It’s rare to see such a lyrically gifted individual, with an unusual vocal style and an original take on what a frontman should be appear on these types of generic American TV shows with such an indifferent host (although this isn’t the first time they’ve had great musical guests).

It is also worth watching this short interview where Finn talks about his Catholic faith, and the topics of forgiveness and redemption, and how they relate to the writing of their songs and albums.