Parallel Stride

Almost immediately upon arriving in Cleveland, Gillard began playing in a series of outfits, including Death of Samantha, before joining Cobra Verde.

Bob Pollard of Guided by Voices was so impressed with Cobra Verde that he enlisted them to become his backing band for the Guided by Voices album, Mag Earwig.

Pollard and Gillard would go on to have a legendary partnership that would result in a slew of incredible albums billed under the Guided by Voices moniker, as well as a series of terrific releases under the names Lightships and one record billed simply as Robert Pollard and Doug Gillard.

In addition to his work and as a collaborator and band member, Gillard has also released a half dozen full-length solo records, including his brand new album, Parallel Stride.

During our conversation, Doug and I covered his early years in the Cleveland music scene and his experiences working with the mercurial legend that is Bob Pollard.

We also hit upon the benefits of limitations in creativity and discussed the effects of a childhood in the Rust Belt.

Okay.

Maybe 17, but she had meet the Beatles and hard days night.