(Not-so) Daily Pollard.

Me and Kev are going to this next saturday... it sounds well geeky

EuroHeedfest 9: The ninth annual European Guided By Voices fan day

EuroHeedfest returns for it's ninth edition, like a scary magnet, pouncing on command, attracting GBV and Bob Pollard fans from all over the world to a small room with a big sound system in TCOTU, UK before repelling them head first out the swinging doors, inebriated and elated in equal measure into the taxis, night buses; airbnbs and budget hotels of our fair capital.

This year, we have for you:

The UK's premier GBV cover band BAND OF PRICKS, performing a 30+ song, 90 minute set of classic GBV and Pollard hits.

In it's 25th year of existence, seminal 1994 LP BEE THOUSAND performed live in full with YOU as the singer, in our famous live band karaoke section. See below how to sign up.

Last year's superb debutants COCKS OF THE BLOCK return, featuring Carl and Bjorn, the Swedish bass/guitar combo from the original lineup of Razorlight. Their set will heavily lean on the new era of GBV, but will feature stompers from the band's entire lexicon.

RASH QUIVERS (not to be confused with Cash Rivers!) are a rip-roaring collaboration between Trevor and Sam of Band of Pricks/GB3 and various members of Cocks Of The Block. They will be performing material from various GBV-related side projects and GBV deep cuts and rarities.

INCREDIBLE WEAPONS making their EuroHeedfest debut, performing the almost-album-length Hold On Hope EP in full. Some real corkers on here!

Everything is quite shocking but the Razorlight bit is the best probably

A few years ago Paddy Considine turned up and did vocals for the entire main set. What a hero.

Think I've stumbled across the first GBV song that I dislike that seems to be universally loved and acclaimed by GBV fans.  The song is Dayton, Ohio/19 Something & 5.  it just really does nothing for me.  I dunno, maybe it's a grower?

Yeah I'm not a huge fan of it, it just doesn't really go anywhere. It never made my playlist of every great song ever made. I think the fact it's named after their hometown makes fanboys want to declare their love for it. I must admit, was looking at going to America again this year for a holiday and was looking how easy from a few major cities it'd be to get to Dayton part of me would just love to visit boring middle America.

Just today I was thinking about adding a few days onto business trip to San Francisco in November and travelling home by way of Dayton, Ohio 

It's a sad and pathetic disease

Gonna get cracking on Closer You Are tonight, really looking forward to it.  Will be the first book I've read in something like 2 years.

Bobs just released a book of his art that comes with half a dozen new songs. Not heard them yet, I assume it’ll be disposable but you never know.

I've still got 9 albums to work my way through:

Sandbox
Class Clown Spots UFO (not on Spotify, wtf?)
English Little League
Motivational Jumpsuit
Cool Planet
Please Be Honest
How Do You Spell Heaven
Space Gun
Zeppelin Over China


My GBV playlist currently sits at 137 songs lasting 5 hours and 58 minutes.  That's before I start on the Pollard solo stuff and his side projects.  

Last album I've spent a lot a time with is August By Cake.  Some belting songs on it but its so far the most difficult GBV album to get through, probably because of it's length.  Maybe that will all change when I get to Zeppelin Over China, which is even longer.

I'm also OUTRAGED that this review - consequenceofsound.net/2012/11/album-review-guided-by-voices-the-bears-for-lunch/ - of The Bears For Lunch doesn't mention She Lives In An Airport at all.

This is wonderful works Tux.

My word, the layered harmonies on the Liquid Indian chorus are just fucking gorgeous.

New GBV album coming out this month called Warp and Woof. Apparently being released first as a bunch of 7" then as a full record.

That Pollard EP that came with the art book was a waste of time, 5 minute long tunes that sounded rough as fuck.

Listened to game of pricks, nice little tune.

What would a top 20 list look like ?

Personally, I'd find a top 20 pretty hard to do, but, I'll definitely recommend some tracks from the earlier stuff.

Over The Neptune/Mesh Gear Fox
Weedking
Qualit Of Armour
Unleashed! The Large Hearted Boy
Exit Flagger
Wished I Was A Giant
#2 In The Model Home Series
Sot
Jar Of Cardinals
Gleemer
Non-Absorbing
Hardcore UFOs
Buzzards & Dreadful Crows
Tractor Rape Chain
The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory
Hot Freaks
Smothered In Hugs
Echos Myron
Gold Star For Robot Boy
I Am A Scientist
A Salty Salute
Watch Me Jumpstart
As We Go Up, We Go Down
Game Of Pricks
Closer You Are
Motor Away
My Valuable Hunting Knife
King & Caroline
Striped White Jets
Blimps Go 90
Chicken Blows
Little Whirl

For me, those are main highlights from Propeller, Bee Thousand & Alien Lanes.  But honestly, I think Bee Thousand & Alien Lanes are perfect from start to finish.  They're the sort of albums that just work beautifully as a cohesive collection of songs.  Even the weaker moments serve their purpose.  I will say that for both of those albums, they need a bit of time and a few listens.  They didn't click with me at first.

But there is just so much to get into.  I'd suggest on going your own journey and just enjoying the ride.  

Cheers Tuck I'll check out those 3 albums:

I'm intrigued by Karls 300+ playlist, ffs

My beatles playlist includes 168 songs
My stones playlist includes 172 songs
My bowie playlist indludes 119 songs

WTF Karl.

Good advice Tux. Also if you wanna just jump right in with some of the best known hits "The Best of Guided by Voices: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates" pretty much covers the major ground. See if you like that then go from there.

they've just announced they're playing LA on new years eve and are going to do a 100 song set