Guided by Voices

A Brief History

James Greer

• Publisher: Black Cat
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN:
  9780802170132
• eBook ISBN:
  9781555846411
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music Biographies

The true story of the fourth-grade teacher in Dayton, Ohio, who created one of the most influential bands of our times.
 
Devoted fans have followed Guided by Voices for decades—and critics around the world have lauded the band's brain trust, Robert Pollard, as a once-in-a-generation artist. Pollard has been compared by the New York Times to Mozart, Rossini, and Paul McCartney (in the same sentence) and everyone from P. J. Harvey, Radiohead, R.E.M., the Strokes, and U2 has sung his praises and cited his music as an influence.
 
But it all started rather prosaically when Pollard, a fourth-grade teacher in his early thirties, began recording songs with drinking buddies in his basement. In this book, James Greer, an acclaimed music writer and former Spin editor—who also played in the band for two years—provides unparalleled insight and complete access to the workings of Pollard's muse.

APPENDIX I
GUIDED BY VOICES SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY 1983–2004

This discography includes selected recordings from the Guided by Voices catalog. Most promo items, non-U.S. releases, or compilations without exclusive tracks are not included.

Guided by Voices

Lineup: Robert Pollard and various members (see GbV family tree for details)

ALBUMS

Devil Between My Toes

Label/Catalog #: Y (Schwa) GBV0001

Released: 2/15/1987

Format: LP (Also available on CD and LP as part of Box box set.)

Country: U.S.

Label/Catalog #: Get Happy!!! BIG 02

Released: 1993

Format: LP

Country: Germany

1. Old Battery

2. Discussing Wallace Chambers

3. Cyclops

4. Crux

5. A Portrait Destroyed by Fire

6. 3 Year Old Man

7. Dog’s Out

8. A Proud and Booming Industry

9. Hank’s Little Fingers

10. Artboat

11. Hey Hey, Spaceman

12. The Tumblers

13. Bread Alone

14. Captain’s Dead

Sandbox

Label/Catalog #: Halo 1

Released: 1987

Format: LP (Also available on CD and LP as part of Box box set.)

1. Lips of Steel

2. A Visit to the Creep Doctor

3. Everyday

4. Barricade

5. Get to Know the Ropes

6. Can’t Stop

7. The Drinking Jim Crow

8. Trap Soul Door

9. Common Rebels

10. Long Distance Man

11. I Certainly Hope Not

12. Adverse Wind

Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia

Label/Catalog #: Halo 2

Released: 1989

Format: LP (Also available on CD and LP as part of Box box set.)

1. The Future Is in Eggs

2. The Great Blake Street Canoe Race

3. Slopes of Big Ugly

4. Paper Girl

5. Navigating Flood Regions

6. An Earful o’ Wax

7. White Whale

8. Trampoline

9. Short on Posters

10. Chief Barrel Belly

11. Dying to Try This

12. The Qualifying Remainder

13. Liar’s Tale

14. Radio Show (Trust the Wizard)

Same Place the Fly Got Smashed

Label/Catalog #: Rocket #9 OX846

Released: 1990

Format: LP (Also available on CD and LP as part of Box box set.)

1. Airshow ’88

2. Order for the New Slave Trade

3. The Hard Way

4. Drinker’s Peace

5. Mammoth Cave

6. When She Turns 50

7. Club Molluska

8. Pendulum

9. Ambergris

10. Local Mix-Up

11. Murder Charge

12. Starboy

13. Blatant Doom Trip

14. How Loft I Am?

Propeller

Label: Rockathon 001

Released: 1992

Format: LP (Also available on LP as part of Box box set.)

LP covers and back covers were hand decorated by the band.

Label/Catalog #: Scat 49

Released: 1996

Format: CD

1. Over the Neptune/Mesh Gear Fox

2. Weed King

3. Particular Damaged

4. Quality of Armor

5. Metal Mothers

6. Lethargy

7. Unleashed! The Large-Hearted Boy

8. Red Gas Circle

9. Exit Flagger

10. 14 Cheerleader Coldfront

11. Back to Saturn X Radio Report

12. Ergo Space Pig

13. Circus World

14. Some Drilling Implied

15. On the Tundra

Vampire On Titus

Label/Catalog #: Scat 31

Released: 1993

Format: LP

Label/Cat...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• In Lieu of an Actual Introduction
• Finally
• Sports
• Ghosts
• Walk
• Time
• Science
• Hope
• Love
• Loss
• What I’ve Learned
• Again
• Appendix I: Guided by Voices Selected Discography 1983–2004
• Appendix II: Solo and Side Projects of Guided by Voices Selected Discography 1983–2004
• Appendix III: Guided by Voices Family Tree
• Appendix IV: Gigography and Selected Set Lists 1984–2004