Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Jan. 11, 2001, edition 1 / Page 9
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THE 5 EAHAWK/JaNUARY 1 1, ZOO 1 9 New year at Cat’s Cradle: Guided By Voices '»SA'R'^S ART & FRAME (3€Hter ARTIST SUPPLIES FOR BEGINNKRS AND PROFESSIONALS. (910 791 2113) FULL SERVICE CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING. (910 791 3799) 730 ST. JAJMES DRIVE WILMINGTON, NC ART CENTER M-F f:MAM -»:NrM SAT «;3aAM - S:00rM ri OSKD SW*0AV HIAME CENTFR M-F SAT lt:MAM-S:0«PM riXKED SUNDAY (CtlECK THI VKLLOW FACES FOR MAP) Brent Fuscaldd Staff Writer Loyal fans packed the club New Year’s Eve, some of whom flew in from as far as New York to ring in 2001. Robert Pollard of the Day ton, Ohio-based group Guided By Voices took the stage shortly after midnight announcing that the set would include songs from an up coming concept album, which is slated to be released in April. This album is number fifteen added to the gigantic stack of previous full- lengths dating back to 1986. The concert by Guided By Voices was part of a New Year’s party at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro. Some of the re quests be- i n g shouted at the band ranged from the band’s ‘87 release Devil Be tween My Toes, to last year’s Do the Collapse, produced by Ric Ocasek of the Cars. Recent albums have had a higher budget treatment than ear lier self-released ones, disproving the belief that they release only homemade four-track recordings. Although their name sounds like a gospel group, they are in fact a band with a constantly changing line-up that carry out the vision of one voice, Pollard’s. His fascina tion with late-era 60’s rock often shows up in his anthemic riffs and nonsensical lyrics. What is it that draws such a fa natical following from a city where the infamous ball drops to a small college town in North Carolina? It’s the songs. The highly prolific Pol lard writes song after song, often writing close to a hundred songs per album. The songs are sung as if they were strange trips through mystical lands while still maintaining a pop element. It seems as if a childhood imagination is behind the wheel of Pollard’s songs. Pollard has created his own label called The Fading Captain Series (FCS) to release his own solo ef forts. In September FCS released the hundred song, 4 CD box set Suit case: Failed Experiments and Trashed Aircraft. It is comprised of all the rarity songs that never made it on the albums throughout the years, one of which dates back to 1974. GBV have broke away from the indie label status and are now on TVT Records in New York, whose roster includes Underworld and Brian Jonestown Massacre. The fin ished upcoming album is tentatively titled Isolation Drills, having been changed from the previous tag. Broadcaster House. The concept al bum idea has been used once before on their 1989 re- lease Same Place The Fly Got Smashed, about the life of an alcoholic who ends up in the electric chair for a crime he commit- ted. On Iso lation Drills the chance for new songs to be fully realized and acces sible to larger audiences is good. Pollard and company have enlisted Rob Schnapf, producer for such widely recognized albums as Beck’s Mellow Gold and the first Foo Fight ers album. The new songs “Glad Girls” and “Chasing Heather Crazy” are instantly catchy and well re ceived by the Chapel Hill crowd. Elliot Smith, whose first three al bums were produced by Schnapf, made a guest appearance on the new album. “He plays keyboards on two of the cuts,” guitarist Doug Gillard ex plains. “On ‘Skillz Like This’ and ‘Glad Girls’ the production is much more straight-forward with a better drum sound.” Another familiar guest to GBV history, Tobin Sprout stopped by the studio to lend his piano skills on the track “How’s My Drinking?.” His small portion of songwriting can be found on earlier albums, the most recognizable being Bee Thousand. Released in 1994 on Matador Records, it followed the highly an ticipated CMJ Showcase perfor mance in New York. This perfor mance was praised by the likes of Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys. Songs off of this album, such as “Tractor Rape Chain,” had the new year’s crowd singing along. Other favorites in cluded “Back To Saturn X,” which is a previously unreleased hit and a cover of “Baba O’ Riley” featuring the vocals of Jon Wurster, drummer for Supefchunk. With the promise of a new album and stamina to make it through the night’s two and a half hour set, GBV have a lot to show for their produc tivity in the new year. "Isolation Drills means the drills done during practice to improve a sports team’s performance,” guitar ist Nate Farley reveals, “although in this case, the isolation is meant in a broader sense,” Isolation, however, is not a tac tic GBV use as a defense against their fans. On the contrary, most albums they release contain over 20 songs and often, the shows they put on clock in at the two hour mark. Those songs left off the albums just got released on Pollard’s label. The band still maintains loyalty to their audience while making the decision to branch out with a more accessible new album. Events, from page 7 and events are planned for each day. “It’s All Fun and Games” as the festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. on Monday with a parade lead ing from Wagoner Hall to the Commons where a Pep Rally will be held. Following this will be the movie “Bring It On,” which will show at 8 p.m. in Union Station. Tues day is the “Day of Chance,” which includes fite games in the game room fiDm noon until 8 p.m. and the “Think Fast Game Show” at 8 p.m. in the Warwick Center Ballroom. On Wednesday, the “Day of Dance,” the Warwick Center Ballroom will host a video dance party at 8 p.m. “The Day of Romance” takes place on Thursday with UNCW’s ver sion of “Singled Out” from 7-9 pm in Union Station. “Almost Famous Friday” features the ACE Film “Almost Famous” which will show at 7:.%p.m. and lOp.m. in the Warwick Center Ballroom. Game Day is Saturday. A lent party in cluding hot air balloon rides will lake place from 4-6 p.m. The Homecoming game, where the SeahawLs will face Williain and Mary, begins at 7 p.m. Following the game, the ACE and the National Pan Hellenic Council will present the annual Step Show at 9:30 p.m. in Kenan Auditorium. All throughout the week, students can win free prizes by vi.siting Union Station between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. while wearing UNCW stuff. “Singled Out” ballots can be filled out on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thurs day, and students can vote for the Homecom ing King and Que(!n on Wednesday, Thurs day, and Friday at the Union from 5-7p.m. Brent Fuscakio/The Seahawk Guided By Voices entertains audiences during a New Year’s performance.
University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Newspaper
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Jan. 11, 2001, edition 1
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