GBV Guitarist Doug Gillard Readies Solo LP

It's still difficult to believe that Guided by Voices has stopped releasing records. They so dependably put out LPs that I used their release schedule as a reminder to change my car's oil. Fortunately for my poor Volvo, I can still count on the remnants of Pollard's pervasive entourage of band members to provide consistent reminders for auto maintenance. Doug Gillard, Guided by Voices guitarist circa 1996, has announced the release of his solo debut, Salamander, via Redeye-distributed Pink Frost/Big Takeover Records. Scheduled for release on October 19th, the album is not only Gillard's first but also the first release for Pink Frost, a label formed by Jeff Kelson and Jack Rabid from the lofty cult rock periodical, The Big Takeover.

Gillard's belated solo brainchild was recorded in Kent, Ohio over the course of several months. In true Guided by Voices fashion, the album is filled with time-crafted songs-- some years in the making-- alongside others composed moments before their recording. Gillard plays most everything on the album himself. Gillard's still-home base-- the infamous Pollard-led Guided by Voices-- is preparing for their farewell tour, officially called The Electrifying Conclusion Tour. According to Gillard, the band has been pulling together a comprehensive tracklist for the event, utilizing material from throughout the band's career. The tour will end on New Year's Eve, 2004, at Chicago's Metro. Gillard plans to begin a solo tour following the GBV finale, but no dates are set. The dates for the Electrifying Conclusion Tour, previously reported but since altered, are as follows:

10-21 Columbus, OH - Al Rosa *
10-22 Newport, KY - Southgate House *
10-23 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom *
10-25 Bloomington, IN - Bluebird *
10-26 Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre *
11-03 Athens, GA - 40 Watts
11-05 Austin TX - Stubbs
11-06 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Ballroom
11-07 Houston, TX - Engine Room
11-11 San Diego, CA - Canes
11-12 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
11-13 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
11-15 Portland, OR - Berbatis
11-16 Portland, OR - Berbatis
11-17 Seattle, WA - Neumos
12-03 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
12-04 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
12-05 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
12-13 Orlando, FL - Tabu Night Club
12-30 Chicago, IL - Metro *
12-31 Chicago, IL - Metro

* with Tobin Sprout