Robert Pollard has always created art like it’s batting practice. Once the inspiration and his muse presents itself, it can either be launched into staggering heights or connect briefly with little impact. But the ethos for Pollard is to keep swinging, no matter what. For nearly 40 years as a songwriter and sole member of the beloved indie rock band Guided by Voices, he has willed songs, albums and visual art into existence at an alarming rate. Later next month, his newly re-energized lineup will release their third proper album of the year, “Sweating the Plague,” which is a prime crystallization of the three P’s that Pollard looks for in crafting a collection of songs: a healthy dose of Punk, Prog and Pop. I caught up with the Dayton, Ohio, legend ahead of the band’s return to Brooklyn for a City Farm Presents show in Industry City this Friday.
“You’ve got to show a great sense of pride in what you’re doing, or go do something else,” – Robert Pollard, Guided By Voices
The band is on an incredible hot streak with three amazing records this year — “Zeppelin Over China,” “Warp and Woof,” and now “Sweating the Plague.” What have been some of your favorite moments on these records?
Robert Pollard: The entire process is a blast, from writing the songs up to the wrap-up in production. The chemistry with everyone involved has gotten very refined. We’ve gotten to know one another very well.
It’s been 15 years since the “final” Guided by Voices album, “Half Smiles of the Decomposed,” which was recently reissued by Matador. Looking back at that record, how have you seen yourself change or progress as a songwriter and as an artist?
Robert Pollard: Well, one always hopes to see continuous improvement. I always say the new one is the best of all, and I mean it at the time. I’ve made 107 albums and I think they keep getting better. I think you have to have that attitude or what’s the point? “Half Smiles” is great but I seriously don’t think it’s as good as what we’re doing now. The company I’ve been keeping is a major factor in that regard.
Since reforming Guided by Voices, you have basically had to start from the ground up, starting with the “classic lineup” and making gradual changes in order to get to this current lineup — which is fantastic. When do you know if your supporting band is fit to be labeled GBV or if it is getting in the way of your vision?
Robert Pollard: If I sense a lack of enthusiasm for either playing live or making a record, I know I have a problem. I can tell if someone is half-assing it in both of those areas. You don’t disrespect the stage or the songs. That may sound a little tyrannical, but that’s the way it is. You’ve got to show a great sense of pride in what you’re doing, or go do something else.
Both your output with this current lineup and the live shows have been absolutely astonishing. Many people call this a new “golden age” for the band and your songwriting. Can you feel that now and does that excite you to create?
Robert Pollard: I definitely feel everyone in the band, including our producer-engineer Travis Harrison, is very cooperative and very excited about pumping out as many records as I want to make. They’re plugged in and come up with great ideas. We just finished next year’s first album, and they’re already working on the one after that. Also, it’s great to see a lot of young people at our shows. There seems to be a new generation of Guided by Voices fans. I’m sure their parents turned them on.
You have recorded the past few records with Travis Harrison who has become, in some ways, like the band’s George Martin in this period. He is also on the road with you doing sound. What makes his approach to the band so special in your eyes?
Robert Pollard: He never stops working. He’s a workaholic and he’s extremely intelligent. He’s almost telepathic when it comes to my songs. We have a very similar lexicon and he’s got a great musical vocabulary. We have similar interest in literature, the occult and films. He might be a little trashier in his tastes sometimes than me, but not by much. When we go record shopping he tells me that I get “cool shit” and he gets “boolshit” but he’s exaggerating. I have trouble looking at him without laughing, he’s so intrinsically funny.
You are reissuing the fan favorite “Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Department” this Summer. I think that, along with “Our Cubehouse Still Rocks” by the Boston Spaceships and “Blues and Boogie Shoes” by the Keane Brothers, that album belongs in the conversation of your best work. What are some solo albums or side-project albums that you think may have never received enough attention? Are there any you have become more proud of over time?
Robert Pollard: I personally think my best solo albums are “From A Compound Eye” and “Moses On A Snail”. All the Boston Spaceship and Ricked Wicky albums are tragically overlooked. I should have given them the Guided By Voices brand name. I’m very proud of Sgt. Disco [by Pollard’s now defunct band, Circus Devils].
You’ll be capping off the year with a 100-song performance in L.A. That’s only 40 or 50 more songs than you’d usually play! What is the story behind doing such a marathon performance?
Robert Pollard: My doctor said he dreamt it, that we played 100 songs for $100. He even handed it to me written out on a prescription pad. So I figured, he’s my doctor so we gotta do it.
You have always favored playing a good amount of new material live and never giving fans a “festival set.” What are your views on the word “legacy”? Is it detrimental for artists to rest their laurels on past achievements?
Robert Pollard: I don’t see how they can even entertain resting on their laurels and claim that they enjoy making music. I mean, you can always pull out what you did in the past and look at it with a sense of pride or embarrassment, but you have to keep it moving. It’s just what you should do.
One part of seeing Guided by Voices that goes completely above and beyond the price of admission is seeing your hilarious stage banter. Has there ever been a time where you found yourself in too much hot water after joking around onstage? Have those tangents ever influenced you to write a song after a gig?
Robert Pollard: Yeah, I’ve put my foot in my mouth many times. I’ve had people scream at me to shut up and just sing. One guy did that on the house engineer’s microphone and I told the crowd to, on the count of three, scream “f—k you” to him. He never tried that again. Have you ever had a thousand people scream, “F—k you, Pat King!”? But he was probably right because I was talking s—t about a guy who was in attendance, totally unbeknownst to me.
Something that is truly commendable, is your unique and overactive imagination. You have always had this ability to conjure up ideas for bands ahead of making the music, complete with song titles and album artwork. Is that dreaming stage or having the want for music or that doesn’t exist in the world yet still exciting for you?
Robert Pollard: Oh yeah. I never stop. Our bass player Mark sits next to me at all times to record the crazy sh-t I come up with. I’m listed on some website as having been a member of like 6 or 7 hundred bands or something ridiculous like that.
In Matthew Cutter’s book, “Closer You Are,” there are moments where it seemed like spite and the overall feeling of “Just wait, I’ll show you…” were prime motivators in your creative output. Is that feeling of proving your doubters wrong still a big source of inspiration?
Robert Pollard: No, I’ve already done that. I’m well-respected now as an artist and songwriter, and people know well that it’s difficult to shut me up. Also, we have our own label and merchandise company. Our own world. We’ve targeted our audience and we know who they are.
Part of the larger narrative around your career is how you were working as a teacher and well into your 30s when the band started to take off. It’s a true testament to the belief that doing the work as an artist is the most important part of the whole thing. Do you still find that to be true and what advice do you have for those out there who are banging their heads against the wall with nothing to show for it?
Robert Pollard: Do the work as an artist and keep banging your head against the wall with nothing to show for it.
Make sure to get tickets to see Guided By Voices at Industry City this Friday, September 27.
