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Unpeeled - October Issue
By Nick Miller
Guided By Voices live @ Rescue Rooms, Nottingham 25/9/03
Following his interview with ‘Unpeeled’ last month GBV bassist
Tim Tobias was abducted by an alien called Billy Corgan an offered a blizzard of
green backs to replace the other ex GBV bassist Matt Sweeney in Corgan’s newest
rock project called Zwanker. The official mouthpiece of Matador Records is in
denial and GBV skin maestro Kevin March declined bribes and concealed the truth
by diplomatically stating that Tobias’s departure was an amicable decision
reached by Tobias and Uncle Bob Pollard. Since GBV line up changes come about
almost as often as GBV albums its only worth getting upset for about 10 seconds
before ushering in Sam Powers who after picking up a bass looks just as much a
part of the GBV flock as Tobias ever did.
The poster bill warns concertgoers to arrive early, as GBV will play for two and
half hours. This could be a ploy to get people in rammed in early to catch
Matador’s new signings Seachange who are incidentally playing in front of their
home crowd tonight. The six piece impress and distress with their screaming wind
tunnel of guitar feedback and violin! No need for q-tips as your ears holes are
guaranteed to bleed after this lot’s finished.
Its 8 years since GBV last played Nottingham and standing with me on the front
row is the infamous Rick who 8 years ago jumped up on stage to fill in vocals
for Bob Pollard who passed out for a few minutes after being over zealous with
the premium strength DAB beer that was on the GBV rider that particular night.
The back catalogue has mushroomed since then so its strangely difficult not to
feel cheated by a 50 song set.
GBV take the stage and look refreshingly fit and healthy especially guitarist
Doug Gillard who looks chilled as can be. The rousing Mascara Snakes from the
Phantom Tollbooth LP opens the set followed be almost every track off
‘Earthquake Glue’ The audience isn’t quite acquainted with the new shit yet so
act coolly until the opening chimes of ‘Game of Pricks’ ring in the old shit and
then the whole room goes goo goo.
Indeed two and half hours passes, a contract is fulfilled, the GBV beer cooler
is exhausted but wait there’s still time for an eight song encore. Prior to the
obligatory ‘Salty Salute’ a sizzling cover of Alice Cooper’s ‘Under My Wheels’
is unleashed. The sombre plea of ‘Smothered In Hugs’ closes the show and as the
band leave the stage Nate Farley gives a bold captains salute in the direction
of the crowd while Bob Pollard takes his hand and blesses me and everyone else
on the front row like he’s some prog-rock priest.
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