Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors is a 4-piece acoustic string band that plays an eclectic mix of music sometimes described as “Americana,” or “Grassroots,” or “Front Porch Music.”  Take your pick.  They all include influences of bluegrass, old-timey, folk, blues, Irish fiddle tunes, and more.  There is something for almost every taste.  The band expresses its regrets to disco and hip-hop enthusiasts.

 

The band is named after a Swedish diplomat and his team of United Nations weapons inspectors who were kicked out of Iraq in the early 2000s.  This led to the beginning of the Iraq war and a band name too good to pass up. 

 

The Grateful Dead has its ‘Deadheads.”  Jimmy Buffett has his “Parrotheads.”  Hans Blix has its “Warheads,” and they have seen the band perform at Sage on Laurel, the Moonshine Lounge, the Last Turn, Jackpine Brewery, and Roundhouse Brewery in Brainerd, Harpo’s in Merrifield, the Castaway Bar and Grill on Lake Alexander, Big Axe Brewery in Nisswa, Lucky’s Tavern in Pequot Lakes, the Landmark Inn in Staples, the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, Zorbaz in Detroit Lakes and Grand Rapids, the Butler Opera House in Aitkin, the KAXE Music Festival in Grand Rapids, the Little Falls Dam Festival, the Pine River Bluegrass Festival, the Field of Dreams Roots Concert Series at the Farm on St. Mathias, and at area resorts like Madden’s, Cragan’s and Lost Lake Lodge. 

 

Hans Blix is currently made up of four friends who share an appreciation for eclectic but traditional-sounding music that’s fun to play and just as fun to listen to.  They met through their day jobs doing conservation work, so not only are they proficient with their musical instruments, but they also know their way around a wetland, a hardwood forest, a sensitive shoreland, and an invasive species.  Other interests of band members include raising sheep, horses, dogs, and above-average kids, brewing beer, maple syruping, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, taking on massive home remodeling and building projects, throwing great parties, and writing the next great American novel. 

 

Kristen Blann sings and plays fiddle, flute, and accordion.  Mike Duval sings and plays rhythm guitar, harmonica and zither.  Kent Montgomery sings and plays mandolin.  Phil Hunsicker sings and plays lead flatpick guitar.     

 

In addition to hitting the right chords and not forgetting lyrics, the band’s objective for every performance is that the audience has as much fun as they do.  For bookings, please contact Phil at 218-825-9215 or at philiphunsicker44@gmail.com.