Hold Steady Frontman Gains Confidence From Springsteen

Posted on Jun 18th 2007 3:00PM by Jeff Miller
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Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn's got a compelling -- and exhausting -- stage presence, with his stamina put to the test from the band's recent hardcore touring regimen. So what's changed since their bar band days to guarantee he doesn't pass out from exhaustion? "I've gotten focus on health in general," Finns tells Spinner. "And not losing your voice and not going crazy. Also, I've been running a lot and trying to get into good shape. We played outdoors in Austin the other night and it was so hot. But I was able to do a better performance by being in a better place."

Finn also recently played a benefit with his idol, Bruce Springsteen. The two collaborated (along with a host of other artists) on the veteran rocker's classic 'Rosalita.' "A lot of different things lined up perfectly that night,'" Finn says."It was incredible. When it was happening, I thought 'No more thinking about this.' He was so nice and so humble. The next day, [I woke] up and [thought], 'That's about the biggest rock star on Earth.' There's no artist bigger than Bruce -- maybe U2. That added to me being confident."

Despite the Springsteen collaboration and claims by fans, Finn's not sold on the idea that the band has graduated to another level. "We are still a bar band," he says. "If you would have seen Boise, or Salt Lake, or Norman, Oklahoma, you'd see a bar-band -- straight up."