Robert Pollard

Closer You Are Book Giveaway: Biography of Robert Pollard

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Update: The contest is over. You read correctly. Courtesy of Da Capo Press, TFN is giving away two copies of Closer You Are: The Story of Robert Pollard and Guided by Voices by Matthew Cutter. The book is the upcoming authorized biography of Robert Pollard, indie rock icon and founder of Guided By Voices. It … Read more

Robert Pollard: Waved Out (Blue Vinyl | Limited)

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GBV fans will rejoice as another reissue of Pollard’s catalog has been launched. The remastered reissue of Robert Pollard’s second solo album Waved Out from 1998 is now available for order. This reissue includes the above promotional press photo from the era. The album will be on blue vinyl and is limited. You can order … Read more

Guided By Voices: Ogre’s Trumpet [Album Review]

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Guided By Voices Ogre’s Trumpet GBV, Inc. [2018] Fire Note Says: The latest incarnation of a legendary band proves they’re still a deadly live act. Album Review: Sometimes bands release live albums as nothing more than sleazy cash grabs or they may be bankrupt of new and original ideas so they endlessly repackage past glories. … Read more

Guided By Voices: How Do You Spell Heaven [Album Review]

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Guided By Voices How Do You Spell Heaven GBV, Inc. [2017] Fire Note Says: The revamped Guided By Voices continue their hot streak with an instant classic. Album Review: You can be forgiven for missing some of Robert Pollard’s output – the discography is indeed deep and daunting. That said, let me put this right … Read more

Circus Devils: Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up) [Album Review]

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Circus Devils Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up): Best Of Circus Devils Happy Jack Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils are sent off in fine fashion with this career-spanning double-LP compilation Album Review: Circus Devils has never been for the casual Robert Pollard fan. The “band,” comprising Pollard and brothers Todd and … Read more

Circus Devils: Laughs Last [Album Review]

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Circus Devils Laughs Last Happy Jock Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils bow out with grace after a 16-year run. Album Review: For sixteen years, Bob Pollard from Guided By Voices and the Tobias brothers have collaborated to form the Circus Devils. Laughs Last is their official final release as a band. The … Read more

Circus Devils Say Farewell with Pair of Releases in 2017: Tracklists Included

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All good things must come to an end. The longest running Robert Pollard “side project,” Circus Devils, will see its last recording of new material released on February 24th, 2017. Not only will we hear their 14th and final LP but a compilation containing 30 tracks. Not so much of a greatest hits but a … Read more

ESP Ohio: Starting Point Of The Royal Cyclopean [Album Review]

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ESP Ohio Starting Point Of The Royal Cyclopean GBV, Inc. [2016] Fire Note Says: With three members of the current Guided By Voices line-up, ESP Ohio offers many rewards. Album Review: When news broke that Doug Gillard was rejoining Guided By Voices earlier this year (after ten years in the wilderness of playing with Nada … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: ESP Ohio – “Royal Cyclopean”

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If you are a Robert Pollard fan then your mind blew when you heard the news about ESP Ohio. The new Pollard project reunites him with guitarist Doug Gillard (Nada Surf, Guided By Voices) which has historically yielded some great indie pop moments. ESP Ohio also adds current GBV bassist Mark Shue (Beech Creeps) and … Read more

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Third Grade Aviator”

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Welcome to the third installment premiere from Suitcase Four here at The Fire Note. We rocked you on week one with “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl”, and slowed things down last week on “Lockets Of The Empress,” so for week 3 it only seemed natural to crank the amps back up with “Third Grade Aviator” … Read more

Guided By Voices – “The Official Ironmen Rally Song” [Video Classic]

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After premiering another track today from Suitcase 4 it only seemed appropriate to reach back into the GBV video catalog for a classic. “The Official Ironmen Rally Song” had its own EP release in February of 1996 and then was included on the great record, Under The Bushes Under The Stars which was released the following month.

I have always liked this video because of its mini history of the group through pictures. Enjoy and salute!

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Lockets Of The Empress”

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Hello GBV fan! Ready to get your second taste of Suitcase Four? Last week we rocked you out with “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl” so we thought for week 2 slowing things down might be special. Kicking off the second CD of the four disc compilation is today’s feature, “Lockets Of The Empress,” which is … Read more

Premiere Friday Fire Track: Guided By Voices – “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl”

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How about this Guided By Voices fans? We teased you a bit with this track 4 weeks ago and now it is here for real! Plus that is not all – 4 weeks, 4 CDs and 4 Premiere tracks…BOOM! Suitcase 4: Captain Kangaroo Won The War is going to explode! OK – so not really … Read more

Ricked Wicky: Swimmer To A Liquid Armchair [Album Review]

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Ricked Wicky Swimmer To A Liquid Armchair Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: The third time’s the charm for this Robert Pollard side project. Album Review: Critical writings on Robert Pollard’s 21st century output have generally fallen into two groups: the True Believers for whom Uncle Bob can never err and those that … Read more

Ricked Wicky: “Poor Substitute”

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Robert Pollard’s Ricked Wicky project just released Swimmer To A Liquid Armchair, which is their third album this year, and now today we get a great video for “Poor Substitute.”

The video features Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, “The Daily Show”, “Ballers”), Nate Cordry (“Mom”, The Invention of Lying), Matt Jones (Badger from “Breaking Bad”), and Seth Morris (“Childrens Hospital”, Step Brothers), all getting their Pollard on!

You can grab a copy of the record over at Rockathon HERE.

Guided By Voices – Briefcase 4 / 1500 Commie Red Vinyl

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He has done it again! Robert Pollard has combed back over the cutting floor and pulled together Suitcase 4: Captain Kangaroo Won The War. The 4 CD set will offer another 100 unreleased songs from GBV. Following tradition with the 4 CD only release Suitcases of the past there is a Briefcase vinyl LP that … Read more

Ricked Wicky (Robert Pollard) 3rd LP on Limited Coke Clear w/ Opaque Blue

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Hey Kids! The third Ricked Wicky from Robert Pollard, Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair, is due out September 25th and it was pressed on a very cool looking Coke Clear with Opaque Blue. The album is limited to 1000 copies worldwide so hurry over and snag a copy while they last. You can still order … Read more

Ricked Wicky: King Heavy Metal [Album Review]

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Ricked Wicky King Heavy Metal Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: Pollard’s Ricked Wicky sparks your rock n roll juices! Album Review: The journey for Robert Pollard’s Ricked Wicky continues just five months after their debut with the sophomore album, King Heavy Metal. Sure, it is a quick turn-around but c’mon – what … Read more

Robert Pollard: Faulty Superheroes [Album Review]

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Robert Pollard Faulty Superheroes Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: Uncle Bob’s first solo LP since disbanding GbV (again) is also one of his best. Album Review: Hmmm… Let’s see: last time Robert Pollard pulled the plug on Guided By Voices he seemed intent on focusing all his considerable energies into creating as … Read more

Ricked Wicky: I Sell The Circus [Album Review]

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Ricked Wicky I Sell The Circus Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: You want rock? Pollard’s Ricked Wicky has you covered! Album Review: If you have been a fan of the Guided By Voices reunion output then I am sure you are still feeling the punch in the gut that came back in … Read more

Guided By Voices Bee Thousand Vinyl Exclusive: 500 Copies

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[Bee Thousand is now sold out] Say what you want about Newbury Pressings but they couldn’t have landed a bigger indie title than Bee Thousand. Guided By Voices classic has been out of print for a long time and currently goes for a higher dollar on the second hand market. Here is your chance to … Read more

Guided By Voices: Beer Thousand Box Set [Review]

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If you are a Guided By Voices fan then you have probably been on the hunt for the newly released Dogfish Head Beer Thousand box set. Not only does it come with six 750ml bottles of imperial lager but accompanying the beer release is a Guided By Voices 10-inch record with 10 songs recorded live … Read more

Circus Devils: Escape [Album Review]

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Circus Devils Escape Happy Jack Rock Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard and the Tobias brothers shift into a calmer gear and create what might be the best Circus Devils album yet. Album Review: Circus Devils never make the same album twice. Whether it’s the claustrophobic horror-rock screeches of the debut, the twisted spaghetti … Read more

Sweet Apple: Reunion [7-Inch Feature]

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Sweet Apple “Reunion” b/w “Frantic Romantic” Tym Guitars [2014] I actually can’t believe that Sweet Apple’s new record, The Golden Age of Glitter, didn’t achieve more press. The rock band features the talents of John Petkovic, J Mascis, Dave Sweetapple and Tim Parnin, which are better known as members of Witch, Cobra Verde, Dinosaur Jr, … Read more

Robert Pollard’s Ricked Wicky new track “Mobility” – Album out 2015

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Guess what? Robert Pollard has a new project? Surprised – ha – that was a joke because the answer is absolutely no! Pollard always has something going on! Pollard’s new project is called Ricked Wicky, and it is a rock band. RW finds Todd Tobias and Nick Mitchell contributing to the debut album I Sell … Read more