Gloria

Gomer's Pile = Brett & Dave (phyllis), Joe (Floozies) & Adam (ESW). This bunch of local heavyweights are tackling early U2 and I'm sure they'll pull it off with all the pompous swagger they can muster. I've seen their Who & REM tributes, missing the Devo one. They know how to give the people what they want. Can't wait for next Thursday.

Here's the Robert Pollard release list for 2007 (for anyone who cares!):

Silverfish Trivia - Pollard EP(follow link to new song)

Crickets - 56 track Fading Captain Series retrospective!

Austin City Limits DVD - from the final GBV tour

Sgt. Disco - Circus Devils

A new Takeovers release

Merge Pollard solo release in the fall



That should give all of us Pollard followers enough to listen to this year.



Evan Finch's Things to Do weekly email highlighted some upcoming Indy shows, notably Yo La Tengo (which I'll miss when I'm in NYC) and Neko Case. The real gems were the links to old cartoons and comic strips. Check them out here:


www.cartoonresearch.com

www.animationarchive.org

www.barnaclepress.com



I read three books in the last week or so:



Love is a Mix Tape

The Pride of Baghdad (graphic novel)

The Life and Art of Daniel Johnston



OK, not heavy reading here, but all worthwhile. Mix Tape was funny, nostalgic, and sad. The Pride of Baghdad is about 4 lions who were 'liberated' from the state zoo when the U.S. attacked Baghdad. A fictionalized account of the true story that parallels their plight with those of the Iraqi citizens and offers a discourse on the meaning of freedom. Great story and artwork. The Life and Art of Daniel Johnston is sort of a companion to the documentary. Highly recommended.

Adios.

On Daniel Johnston

I couldn't be more excited about listening to a couple of new Daniel Johnston cd's I found in the used bin last weekend. They are FUN and ARTISTIC VICE. FUN is produced by Paul Leary from the Butthole Surfers and is generally dismissed as not a very relevant release. I disagree. Sure its sounds 'produced,' and Daniel only plays on a couple of songs, but like all of his releases, there are a couple of the songs that just make you want to quit your job and tap maple trees for syrup. Life in Vain and Silly Love are astounding. I think the entire cd is great.

ARTISTIC VICE is produced by Kramer from Shimmy Disc fame. I believe this was his first 'band' album. I also remember that this was recorded in West Virginia in the garage at his parents house. It opens with the classic, My Life is Starting Over, a song that wouldn't sound out of place on the Modern Lovers debut or any Half Japanese record.

I still love the early 'cassette tape' stuff of Daniel's. I have a hard time even describing how I feel about those songs.

If you haven't watched the uplifting DJ Documentary, The Devil and Daniel Johnston, you're missing out.

THIS JUST IN - I notice that Daniel is scheduled to play in Indy May 9!!! No details yet. Hard to believe. Jad Fair is coming June 1. Indy is now the height of coolness for some reason.