Godplow formed in Birmingham, Ala., in 1992. After a couple of struggling years on the local circuit, they searched for a new home and found one.

“Minneapolis is great,” singer Hunter Jonakin said. “I don’t like the weather, but I like the scene. People are supportive here; it’s not a big competition. There’s plenty of places to play which is nice.”

Minneapolis has been good to Godplow, and they’re slowly returning the favor. Jonakin’s liking in the city recently led to an invitation from Twin Cities-based Cake magazine to write a column for their special movie issue.

“I loved it,” he said. “I don’t get to do stuff like that very often so it was a lot of fun. Grass (Godplow’s record label) asked me if I was interested in writing something for their movie issue, and so I picked the Gary Hughes thing since all of us in the band really like his movies.”

Hughes’ movies are an influence enough to Godplow that the only cover the band had ever played is from his Pretty In Pink. But that will soon change.

“We are usually democratic about everything, so I thought it might be fun if we each chose a cover that we thought would work and learn it, no matter what the rest of the band thought,” Jonakin said.

“Gary (Reid, drummer) picked “Don’t Let Me Down” so we’re learning that now. I’m sure will piss off a few Beatles fans.”

According to Jonakin, Godplow suck as cover musicians. “It’s way more difficult to learn a cover than your own. I still have no respect for cover bands, but I guess it’s whatever floats your boat.”

Godplow formed when Reid and Jonakin split from another band and picked up bass player Shane Stubblefield.

“Initially, we wanted to have a really heavy sound,” Jonakin explained. “Then we added Kelly (Anderson, guitar) to the line-up and he was into all kinds of different stuff.”

Anderson’s My Bloody Valentine influences added a dreamier noisy sound to Godplow. “I think that’s why we don’t sound like anybody else,” Jonakin added. “Because we all have different tastes.”

Godplow’s 1994 debut Red Giant Judas helped the band line up tour dates with such acts as Hum, Mercury Rev, Sebadoh, Geraldine Fibbers and Babe The Blue Ox. Hum producer Keith Cleversly, who’s also worked with Flaming Lips, produced the band’s latest release Soft Formal Static.

“We recorded the new disc in December so we’ve been playing songs from both records for a while,” Jonakin said. “I listen to Red Giant Judas now and I’m like ‘wow there’s actually some cool stuff on this record.'”

Godplow uses hazy, distorted guitar textures to express themes of anger and regret. Jonakin’s introspective lyrics are sprinkled over his heavy guitars.

“There is a definite theme of getting my heart broken on Red Giant Judas,” Jonakin said. “I tried to stray from that on this record but it’s not much different. It’s still easier to write about darker things.”

Godplow support their new record at the Safari Club in Des Moines Friday night. Mercy Rule are headlining the bill.