Pitchfork

Leave it up to Neil Michael Hagerty to keep things psychotic. Just when you thought he couldn't possibly outdo the spectacularly debauched, drug-induced mania of Royal Trux, his latest project the Howling Hex gives his previous band a run for its money. Why just make wacko music when you can produce wacko television, too?

On November 15, Drag City will release You Can't Beat Tomorrow a combination CD/DVD featuring the pilot episode of the Howling Hex's variety show "You Can't Beat Tomorrow" and its soundtrack. On the recording, Hagerty handles lead vocal and guitar duties, backed by the Theatre Fire (Donald Feagin, Curtis Heath, Mark Castaneda, Jesse Brakefield, Sean French and Nick Prendergast) on banjo, violin, trumpet, and pedal guitar. I guess the Arcade Fire were busy.

The DVD of You Can't Beat Tomorrow "weaves a collage of every-day images, musical segments and a hilarious animated serial following a group of all-American types down at Henry's bar", according to a press release. It also includes a documentary about the making of the show, an animated episode of desert creatures Cowboy and Jack, and the broadcast version of the Howling Hex's television commercial from 2003. Hey, who ate all the mushrooms? CD tracklist:

01 Teenage Doors
02 Cobra Heart
03 Apache Energy Plan
04 S.C. Coward
05 Sick & Old 1
06 Diamond Tank
07 You Can't Beat Tomorrow
08 Meet Me At The Dance
09 Sick & Old 2
10 No Numbers

The Hex will take their madness on the road for two dates, one of which happens to be tonight right here in Chicago. Look out, Liam Lynch. Your days are numbered:

09-30 Chicago, IL - Double Door
10-06 New York, NY - Knitting Factory