Upon first listen, it’s immediately obvious where BNLX’s obsessions and influences lie. From the overdriven feedback fuzz that scores the record, to the epic, post-punk spirit that courses throughout, Jesus and Mary Chain and Echo and the Bunnymen are an easy reference point. But while many modern DIY projects can plug in and produce squalling reverb and angst-y vocals, in most cases the results reek of posturing and shallow imitation. BNLX, dare I say, transcend time. They’ve created a debut LP that sounds late 1980s while remaining immediate, a record with the grit, chops and integrity to nod to their heroes while bravely blazing their own path.

The history of BNLX runs deep. After gaining notoriety on the national stage with his band Polara, as well as co-founding and running influential indie label Susstones, Ed Ackerson turned his focus to producing records. Based at his Flowers Studio recording facility in Minneapolis, he’s produced and engineered records for a huge and diverse range of artists including The Replacements, Motion City Soundtrack, and The Jayhawks. Ed has now picked up his guitar again and returned to live rock action with his new band BNLX, joined by his co-frontperson/wife Ashley Ackerson on bass and David Jarnstrom on drums.

While their debut LP encompasses a variey of genres, BNLX doesn’t worry about fitting into a certain mold, content to let the music speak for itself. “We’re more melodic than some of our noisier peers, and we’re more aggressive and punk rock than some indie rock bands,” explains the band. “We also mix lo-fi and hi-fi textures in unusual ways. We have a lot of ideas and influences, and we try go wherever our imaginations take us. Worrying too much about genre can be a deterrent to innovation.”

Past Shows


Feb
15
th
2020
Mainroom
Feb
15
th
2020
Mainroom

Celebrating the Life of ED ACKERSON

with The Jayhawks, Kraig Johnson & The Poe-gram (ft. David Poe & special guests), Mark Mallman and more!
Jun
20
th
2018
Mainroom
Jun
20
th
2018
Mainroom
Dec
15
th
2017
7th St Entry
Dec
15
th
2017
7th St Entry

So It Goes

with BNLX and Step Rockets
Apr
25
th
2015
7th St Entry
Apr
25
th
2015
7th St Entry

BNLX

with Two Harbors, FRANKIE TEARDROP (Solo), Pale Spectre and more!
Apr
24
th
2015
Turf Club
Apr
24
th
2015
Turf Club

BNLX

with The Melismatics, The Stress of Her Regard, Stereo Confession and more!
Dec
26
th
2014
Mainroom
Dec
26
th
2014
Mainroom

Run Westy Run

with BNLX and LIKEHELL
Nov
28
th
2014
Mainroom + Entry
Nov
28
th
2014
Mainroom + Entry

A Tribute to The Replacements

with The Melismatics, Two Harbors, BNLX and more!
Jun
27
th
2014
7th St Entry
Jun
27
th
2014
7th St Entry

Run Westy Run

with BNLX
May
19
th
2014
7th St Entry
May
19
th
2014
7th St Entry

Blood Red Shoes

with Radkey and BNLX
Feb
1
st
2014
Mainroom
Feb
1
st
2014
Mainroom

TURNING REBELLION INTO MONEY

A Tribute To JOE STRUMMER
with BNLX, Andrew Broder, Al Church and more!
Jun
5
th
2013
Turf Club
Jun
5
th
2013
Turf Club

Peace

with Team Spirit and BNLX
Feb
1
st
2013
Mainroom
Jan
4
th
2013
7th St Entry
Jan
4
th
2013
7th St Entry

Black Church Service

BLACK CHURCH SERVICE
with BNLX and The Shams Band
Jul
21
st
2012
Triple Rock Social Club
Jul
21
st
2012
Triple Rock Social Club

Electric Guest

with BNLX and DREAM CRUSHER
Nov
25
th
2011
Mainroom
Nov
25
th
2011
Mainroom

A Tribute to The Replacements

with The 4onthefloor, STORY OF THE SEA featuring DAVID CAMPBELL and JIM MCGUINN, BNLX and more!
Oct
13
th
2011
Turf Club
Oct
13
th
2011
Turf Club

Smoking Popes

with Red Pens and BNLX
Aug
27
th
2011
Mainroom
Aug
27
th
2011
Mainroom
Jul
29
th
2011
Mainroom
Jul
29
th
2011
Mainroom

The Ike Reilly Assassination

with BNLX and Little Man
Jan
26
th
2011
Mainroom
Jan
26
th
2011
Mainroom
Jan
7
th
2011
Mainroom
Jan
7
th
2011
Mainroom

The Onion's 1,143rd Twin Cities Issue Celebratory Gathering

with Dosh, Pink Mink, BNLX and more!

More Shows

Apr
26
th
7th St Entry

The Bright Light Social Hour

Mar
22
nd
Fine Line

Russian Circles

with Pelican
Dec
27
th
7th St Entry

Jaki Blue

with KAYCYY and Sophia Eris
May
3
rd
The Fitzgerald Theater

Ichiko Aoba