The Hold Steady is an indie rock band that occupies an unusual but wholly organic in-between state in their music: they are originally from Minneapolis and with roots in midwestern punk, but have been working out of Brooklyn almost all their career, gradually shifting towards a more heartland rock meets alt-rock sound. The raggedness in their music which suggests The Replacements influences, especially early on, has been receding over the years in favor of a Bruce Springsteen type ruggedness. The band is led by singer guitarist Craig Finn, who has a knack for storytelling, which plays right in to the Springsteen connection. His half speak-singing/half singing style, on the other hand, comes with a wonderful Randy Newman texture. They have been putting out albums since 2004 without any drop in quality and with only some minor stylistic shifts as they have grown calmer.
The Thermals, The Replacements, Lifter Puller
Randy Newman sings Bruce Springsteen songs done by The Replacements.