Guided By Voices spent much of the’90s defining the indie landscape. In 2004, after a 17-year career that produced nearly as many records, they called it quits. But beginning last year, the band returned in its original lineup (singer/songwriter Robert Pollard, guitarists Tobin Sprout and Mitch Mitchell, drummer Kevin Fennell and bassist Greg Demos) for another season of touring that concludes this Friday at the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh. Recess’ Brian Contratto interviewed Tobin Sprout via email.
Recess: When you’re a band that’s been together this long, how do you feel playing live shows with all these 20-somethings? Are you more confident, or more self-conscious?
Tobin Sprout: The fans are all ages—a lot of them are old fans and there are kids just finding GBV. It seems ageless. So I really don’t feel anything but good to still be on stage. People still want to see us. I almost feel more confident today than when we were in our stride in ’96.
R: Bob’s never really stopped making music, right? Who else in the band is still a musician, and who’s got the less exciting day jobs?
TS: I released a solo album called The Bluebirds of Happiness Tried To Land On My Shoulder. I also released a single called “Antietam,” released on the date of the battle—Sept. 17. I can’t really speak for the others, although I know Mitch is still making music with his band, the Terrifying Experience. As far as other jobs, I still paint and might be doing an art show with Bob in the near future.
R: Does Guided By Voices read books? What kinds of authors or titles?
TS: I know everyone in GBV can read. I know Bob reads a lot. I enjoy reading about American history; right now I’m reading The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, about the Battle of Gettysburg. The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston is a great book—all about the creation of Disney and about the development of the art and the artists behind the scenes.
R: Hopscotch is the last show you’ve got listed on the website. What’ll you do in Raleigh afterwards?
TS: We plan to watch the Ohio State [college football] game, eat wings and drink, sort of celebrate the final show. I’m noot sure if we will stay in Raleigh—we might start heading back to Dayton and stop somewhere on the way.
R: Thanks for for getting back together.
TS: You are welcome. Raleigh has always been a big fan base for Guided By Voices from the beginning, so it’s nice to be doing our final show here. We love Raleigh.
Guided By Voices will play their final show at Hopscotch Music Festival this Friday, Sept. 6 at Raleigh City Plaza at 8:40 p.m.
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