page_title: Walt Mink
section_title: Deep Elm and the beginning of the end, 1997-present
hierarchical_section_title: Walt Mink / History / Deep Elm and the beginning of the end, 1997-present
caption_attribution_description: English: Star representing the band Walt Mink on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue
context_page_description: Walt Mink were an American alternative rock power trio formed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1989 by guitarist/singer/songwriter John Kimbrough, drummer Joey Waronker and bassist Candice Belanoff. The band released four studio albums over the course of their eight-year career.
context_section_description: By early 1997, several independent labels had expressed interest in the record, but it was finally Deep Elm who John and Candice decided was the right fit. The record, Colossus, was released in June of that year, but the two remaining members had given up on the idea of finding a replacement drummer for touring, planning instead to occasionally perform as an acoustic duo. The band's fourth and last video, for the song "Brave Beyond the Call" was filmed during this period. Directed by Adam Rothlein, the video was shown briefly on MTV.
  Into this climate stepped Will Tanous, a friend who had wanted Colossus on his label, and who also worked for the HBO live music show "Reverb." He asked if John and Candice would be interested in appearing on the show. They were, but they would need a drummer. Fortunately Will had that covered. It just so happened that his friend from high school was a drummer, and would be willing to play with the band for the taping of the show.
  Zach Danziger first appeared with Walt Mink on the June 20, 1997, broadcast of "Reverb". He had learned the band's entire set in three days. Armed with a ferocious new drummer, the reinvigorated members of Walt Mink began to contemplate a tour supporting Colossus.
  Meanwhile, the band's business infrastructure was eroding badly. Within a matter of weeks in mid-1997, the group, who had been dropped by their management the previous year, was dropped by their booking agent and accountant, and with no money coming in there was virtually no way to pay for a tour, no matter how badly they needed one. John Szuch, the label head of Deep Elm, got them a new booking agent and gave them a small amount of tour support, but his label's modest financial resources were no match for the demands of a band on an extensive tour.
  A two-week tour through the upper Midwest and parts of New England was booked for mid-summer, and the band hit the road in a cautiously optimistic frame of mind. But the few crowded, raucous shows in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan contrasted sharply with the virtually empty venues elsewhere in the country, and as the tour ended there was a prevailing feeling that the writing was on the wall.
  Months later, after a particularly empty show in Albany, N.Y., it was decided that it was time to end the band. Deep Elm promoted one last New York show for Walt Mink at the Mercury Lounge on November 1, 1997. The show was recorded for posterity, and was later released as Goodnite on Deep Elm Records.
  Since 1997 the band have occasionally reunited to play one-off shows. John Kimbrough went on to play with New York power-pop band Valley Lodge, while pursuing a successful career as a composer for film and television. He moved into music production with Tenacious D's third album, Rize of the Fenix.
  The band has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.
caption: Walt Mink's star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue
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