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Minnesota musicians show us their childhood Halloween costumes

by Jon Schober

October 31, 2012

Dressing up for Halloween is a life-long tradition. It begins before we’re old enough to dress ourselves and continues until we’re no longer fun at Halloween parties.

To celebrate All Hallow’s Eve, we asked local musicians to submit photos of their childhood costumes. From Haley Bonar to members of the Chalice, Pert' Near Sandstone, and Trampled by Turtles, here's a look at some of our most prominent artists' Halloween memories.

Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

Haley Bonar

"I'm the one on the far left with the too-big Jester outfit."

"Halloween was my favorite holiday, as was my sisters' (the two on the right — a friend is in the pic as well dressed as Superman). We would collect as much candy as possible, of course, and then dump out our pillowcases on the living room floor and separate the candies into distinct groups — "name brand" chocolate, "name brand" candy, suckers, gum, apples with razor blades, crappy candy, yucky old lady handouts, etc. Then we would "trade," which often meant my sister and I giving our youngest sister TWENTY! pieces of (Crappy Candy) for only ONE! Snickers bar or Kit Kat. She eventually caught onto this."

Lucy Michelle — Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles

"My mom, Jill, was the Halloween queen and helped bring my costume ideas to life. This was one of my favorites ..."

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Nate Sipe (fiddle/mandolin/vocals) — Pert Near Sandstone

"Trick-o-treating with my sister at Grandma & Grandpa's. I thought my blow-up Walgreen's costume from the late 80's was pretty sweet!"

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Andy Lambert (clogs/washboard) — Pert Near Sandstone

"This is me circa 1979 dressed as a clown. I was 18 months old when the picture was taken."

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Lizzo — The Chalice

"Lizzo as the 'original hipster' ... (but I suspect it was a strawberry)."

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Claire de Lune — The Chalice

"I think I was like 4 years old here. At this particular juncture of my life I was obsessed with anything pink, sparkly, ruffly, etc. So I insisted on being not just an angel or a fairy or a princess for Halloween, but all three. I was an angel fairy princess. Ah ... childhood."

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Francis — Strange Names

"1993: This was an early attempt at glam rock. I think Elton John was the goal. Surprisingly cute picture considering I had spent the better part of 20 minutes frantically trying to avoid the camera screaming, 'Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player!'"

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Liam — Strange Names

"1993: When I half-assed Halloween. 2011: Karate Kid"

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Wiggy (mascot/tour manager) — BNLX

"Last year, BNLX tour manager Wiggy Ackerson turned out in full punk regalia for Halloween, ready to smash the state, pee on infrastructure and hump the leg of The Man."

Mark Mallman - Halloween

Mark Mallman

 

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Dave Simonett (guitar/lead vocals/harmonica) — Trampled by Turtles

 

Actual Wolf

 

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.