Two Harbors

Two dreams came true on one record for Two Harbors frontman Chris Pavlich, who’s as big an Anglophile rock fan as anyone you’ll ever meet. First, he recruited the graphic designer who created the cover art for some of his all-time favorite albums by Oasis, the Verve and Supergrass. Then, he lined up a date to master the record at Abbey Road Studios in London. Yep, that Abbey Road.

There was one small catch to both those big wish fulfillments, though. “We had to make the record first,” Pavlich deadpanned. A true cart-before-the-horse rock ’n’ roll tale, Pavlich and his three bandmates had yet to set foot in their producer/booster Ed Ackerson’s Flowers Studio in Minneapolis for the recording sessions. However, Pavlich believes that by setting their sights high on the artwork and audio mastering, they raised the bar on their own contributions to the record. That might sound like a bit of rock-cocky hogwash until you hear the resulting album, The Natural Order of Things.

An impressively cranked-up collection of guitar-driven rock anthems, Two Harbors’ third full-length [...] might rank as the best Oasis album since Be Here Now. And yes, I mean that entirely as a compliment. In the past, Two Harbors has shunned the obvious comparisons to the Gallagher brothers’ old band, but there’s no denying it here. “We play what we like to hear,” Pavlich said. “If people think it sounds like Oasis, I’m totally fine with that. They sold 30 million records, so we’ll have some of that.” Added guitarist Kris Johnson, “We all listen to a lot of different kinds of music. It just so happens that British rock is where we all four of us share the biggest connection.” [...]

Joining forces in 2007 as Colonial Vipers Attack (which sounds like a would-be metal band), the members of Two Harbors played in groups you might have seen in the Let It Be bins, including Faux Jean and Divorcee. The latter band’s demise was so ugly, it convinced Pavlich to go cold turkey and give up playing music. He took his quitting plans all the way to Twin/Town Guitars, where he found Johnson working behind the counter. “I told him I wanted to sell everything, and he basically told me, ‘I won’t let you,’ ” Pavlich said. “It was fate.” Added Johnson dryly, “It was kind of stupid, too.”

Seven years later, Pavlich seems to have done a 180-degree turnaround. Recalling his band’s opening set for Brit-rockers Temples last month at First Avenue, he said, “That was the most comfortable and confident I had ever been on stage there, and I think the new songs were a big reason why.” This album really has made the guy cocky. Perfect. [Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune]

Past Shows


Sep
14
th
2023
Amsterdam Bar & Hall
Sep
14
th
2023
Amsterdam Bar & Hall
Cancelled

Kula Shaker

with Two Harbors
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!
Aug
25
th
2017
Turf Club
Aug
25
th
2017
Turf Club

Porno Wolves

with Two Harbors and Buffalo Fuzz
Dec
29
th
2016
Mainroom
Dec
29
th
2016
Mainroom

The Jayhawks

with Two Harbors
Dec
4
th
2015
Turf Club
Dec
4
th
2015
Turf Club

Little Man

with Two Harbors and Porcupine
Jun
18
th
2015
Fine Line
Jun
18
th
2015
Fine Line

The Maccabees

with Two Harbors
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!
Jan
9
th
2015
7th St Entry
Jan
9
th
2015
7th St Entry

The Melismatics

with Two Harbors and Stereo Confession
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!
Sep
5
th
2014
Mainroom
Sep
5
th
2014
Mainroom

The Jayhawks

with Two Harbors
Aug
8
th
2014
Mainroom
Aug
8
th
2014
Mainroom
Apr
24
th
2014
Mainroom
Apr
24
th
2014
Mainroom

Temples

with Drowners and Two Harbors
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
4
th
2011
7th St Entry
Jun
4
th
2011
7th St Entry

Maritime

with Two Harbors and Communist Daughter
Oct
8
th
2010
Mainroom
Oct
8
th
2010
Mainroom

A BENEFIT FOR BRAD KERN

with Semisonic, Mason Jennings, jeremy messersmith and more!

More Shows

Dec
22
nd
Turf Club

Trailer Trash

Dec
21
st
Turf Club

Trailer Trash

Dec
21
st
First Avenue

The Big Wu

with The People Brothers Band
Dec
20
th
Turf Club

Trailer Trash