GBV Tribute Night this Sunday

Guided by Voices Tribute Night
Cover bands do it for coin but when a bunch of struggling original artists come together to pay a salty salute to one of their prime influences you know they’re all diehard fans and doing it for the love of the music. And it might be said that most true fans of Guided By Voices are die–hard. While the band had a fluid membership over its lifespan, frontman Bob Pollard and his backing band of choice helped create a community that may have been one the most inclusive and welcoming I’ve ever experienced. Rarely do I get an invitation to join a throng of a couple dozen fans to stand side stage, behind the band’s equipment, and partake in the band’s lavish alcoholic intake on stage.
After the fifth belt from the guitarist’s bottle of Jack Daniels, staggering back into the opening band’s drum kit was just another part of the party happening on stage and you couldn’t help but feel at one with the thousand people crammed into the auditorium.
GBV shows were like a uniting of artist and audience in an alcoholic haze that wasn’t violent, clumsy, self–indulgent or silly. Musically, GBV’s lo–fidelity recording stance and a serious knack for intricate melodic structures made for great rock music regardless of categorization. Lyrically, the abstract lyrical content was oft impenetrable but offered prolifically. GBV albums like Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes remain heralded as classics of ‘90s indie rock and Guided By Voices one of the biggest cult bands of the last two decades. The anglophilic–inspired and alcoholic fuelled art rock and roll that was GBV undeniably influenced countless musicians. While Pollard officially broke up the band in 2004 to make music under his own name, late last year, it was announced he would reform a classic line up of GBV for a brief reunion. Fans immediately became ecstatic and perhaps helped to fuel local musician’s interest.
“The night was [Casbah promoter Brodie Schwendiman’s] idea,” explains Huron guitarist Cam Malcolm on this weekend’s local tribute to GBV. “I think he’d been wanting to do something like this for some time.
“I’ve always been a fan,” adds Malcolm. “I always liked the aesthetic of the lo–fi records. A lot of people probably think they sound like shit, but I was talking with someone the other day about how that band really mastered the four–track cassette machine. I mean yeah, it’s low quality, but compared to other tape recordings it sounds amazing.
Beyond the aural treatments however, they’re just a great band, with a very talented frontman.”
A variety of locals and beyond from a disparate musical background are set to join the backing band dubbed the Evil Speakers that features David Dunham (Chore/Don Vail) on drums, Bill Majoros (Foreign Films) on guitar, Mitch Bowden (Chore/Don Vail) on guitar, Kevin Bell (Thin Lines) on bass and Malcolm on bass. Everyone from Adam Bentley, Chris Bell, Kevin Bell, Mike Bell, Brad Germain, Darryl Gould, Dylan Hudecki, Chad and Laura Ingles, Danny Lindsay, Tor Lukasic–Foss, Andy
Magoffin, Wax Mannequin, Sandy McIntosh, Mandy Mintz, Mike Trebilcock and more will take part.
“I’m not sure GBV is so important to the general Hamilton area musical community, but there a few diehards like us,” smiles Malcolm. “I’m certainly influenced by the sound of GBV, but I think that’s the exception rather than the rule. Of course, Pollard is an influence, but his legendary prolificacy is unmatched, and probably unattainable. But that’s what makes him legendary.
“I jump at any chance to do these sorts of things because there’s a certain education that happens when you deconstruct a song and actually learn it, and it’s an education that’s wholly independent from actually listening, even if you’re listening very closely,” he adds. “So for the past few weeks I feel I’ve been de–mystifying GBV. I think anyone that comes to the show will be surprised, and hopefully impressed. The thing about GBV is that those songs are classic rock
and roll with great melodies, so I think it’ll be fairly enjoyable for anybody. And GBV fans won’t be disappointed either. We’re going to try and be true to the spirit of a GBV show, so you can expect all the bells and whistles, and perhaps some Miller Lite.” V

The Same Club The Fly Got Smashed – A Guided By Voices Tribute Night happens this Sunday February 27 at the Casbah. Doors for the licensed / all ages event open at 7:30 and $10 gets you in. Click on gbv.com to learn more.