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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.
“That a thirty-six-year-old schoolteacher from Dayton with a penchant for public drunkenness could achieve a worldwide cult following and count R.E.M., The Cars, and Cheap Trick as admirers–this is the stuff indie-rock dreams are made of. Pollard was and still is an Everyman, a person a fan can relate to. He’s the kind of guy you’d want to have a beer with. . . . [Greer’s] book reads like and inside-baseball account by an obsessed fan, written for other obsessed fans.”—Geeta Dayal, Bookforum
“Guided By Voices: A Brief History delves into [Robert Pollard’s] music and the vast circle of rock musicians which have contributed to his development. From the band’s incarnations to Pollard’s constantly changing sound, no better coverage is available.”—The Midwest Book Review
James Greer, a screenwriter and novelist, has written for Spin, Entertainment Weekly, Tennis Magazine, and Paris Hilton. He played bass for Guided by Voices in the mid-90s. He lives in Los Angeles.