Rock âÄònâÄô roll is the single greatest invention in the history of mankind. Even greater than nylons and penicillin, if thatâÄôs even possible. Most underground acts start with a similar rock-centric mindset, but all too many deviate into esoteric and idiosyncratic realms of sonic exploration and the extended feedback interlude doldrums. ItâÄôs those types of arbitrary forays into inaccessibility that tend to materialize as pseudo mind expanders and undisputable joy killers. Essentially, no amount of cognitive math rock will ever come close to matching the pure ass-kicking-ness of loud, riff-heavy and breakneck rock âÄònâÄô roll. And with that in mind, meet MinneapolisâÄô own Private Dancer. Self-described as âÄúsurf punkâÄù and boasting obscenely stellar influences (Os Mutantes, Roy Orbison, The Minutemen ), the lo-fi outfit released their debut LP âÄúTrouble EyesâÄù in late August. The record is a 30-minute scorcher that churns out track after track of melodic rockers that flirt heavily with pop and promote equal parts dancing and head banging. Standouts include the drum/riff happy opener âÄúI See Trouble;âÄù the escalating, horn-climaxed and downright triumphant instrumental âÄú1000 Year Wave;âÄù the spacey, frantic and tremendously catchy âÄúDo the Hotdog;âÄù and the Craig Finn-channeled vocals, huge guitars and multiple tempo shifts of the discâÄôs closer âÄúDo You Like to Read?âÄù Considering the groupâÄôs respective members have all cut their musical teeth in headier projects (Hockey Night, Falcon Crest, Stnng) itâÄôs not surprising they melded so effortlessly as Private Dancer. Because of that, âÄúTrouble EyesâÄù sounds much more like a band hitting their mid-career stride than a debut. Considering their guitar-driven sound, indulgent solos, yelped vocals, general no-B.S. approach and their apparent hotdog obsession, two things become abundantly clear about Private Dancer: they have a profound respect for the organic elements of rock that late âÄô70s punk acts helped salvage and âÄî perhaps most importantly âÄî they donâÄôt take themselves too seriously. In a world wrought with underground acts trying to out-cognify and ironify one another, the earnest, catchy and smart rock âÄònâÄô roll of Private Dancer is a faintly hotdog-tinged breath of fresh air. A&E was able to chat with guitarist/vocalist Nate Nelson to discuss Tina Turner , boats and beer. Could you describe Private DancerâÄôs sound in your own words? I donâÄôt know âĦ fun? Fast? The Black Lips get described as âÄúflower punk âÄù âÄî and IâÄôm not even sure what that means, but I feel that sort of resonates with your band, too. Yeah, I can totally see that. We like to have fun and weâÄôre kinda rowdy, but have really catchy melodies. What sort of bands âÄî past or present âÄî are you guys into? Well, influences for Private Dancer are, like, late âÄô70âÄôs New York punk stuff. I really like Os Mutantes. I guess I like a lot of weird, old-timey punk type stuff. What would you tell Tina Turner if she called you later today and was pissed off about your bandâÄôs name? [Laughs] I donâÄôt know what IâÄôd say âĦ âÄúIâÄôm sorry?âÄù She was in town a couple nights ago. My girlfriend went and said Tina Tuner played âÄúPrivate Dancer.âÄù I didnâÄôt even know it was a Tina Turner song. ThereâÄôs a boat that was parked outside our drummerâÄôs house for a long time, and the boat was called âÄúPrivate Dancer.âÄù So I thought we were naming ourselves after a boat, but then I found out it was a song. What is the ideal future for Private Dancer? Play lots of shows, get out of town a lot, meet new people and try to make good songs. What is Private DancerâÄôs favorite beer? Probably Miller High Life . ThatâÄôs âĦ affordable. Yeah, weâÄôre poor.