Craig Finn

From Theholdsteady

Craig Finn was born in Massachusetts. His family moved to Minneapolis when he was young. The move is often referenced in song ("when I hit the twin cities/ I didn't know that much about it/ I knew Mary Tyler Moore/ I knew Profane Existence").

Craig's parents encouraged him in his musical endeavors. Both parents saw Dylan during the singer's pre-electric period. Craig had an early fascination with hardcore, especially the burgeoning Minneapolis scene that included the Replacements. Some of Craig's fondest memories are accompanying his dad to the local record store to purchase various hardcore 7 inch records.

Craig attended Boston College and majored in finance. He graduated and eventually went to work for American Express. Craig and then bassist Tad Kubler were in the seminal Minneapolis band "Lifter Puller", which achieved cult status realized by audience members arriving at shows with the band's initials tattooed on their fingers. The band broke up, and the married Craig Finn moved to New York, where he became involved in music booking as a side line to his day job. He recorded during this period as "The Brokerdealer".

Craig and Tad Kubler formed "The Hold Steady" after being inspired by watching "The Last Waltz" and becoming fed up with the dance punk movement sweeping New York.