has made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard. The most well-known lineup of the band consisted of Pollard (lead vocals), his brother Jim (guitar, bass), Mitch Mitchell (lead guitars), Tobin Sprout (vocals, rhythm guitars), Kevin Fennell (drums), and bassist Greg Demos. Noted at first for its lo-fi aesthetic and Portastudio four-tracks-to-cassette production methods, Guided by Voices' music was influenced by early post-British Invasion garage rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, punk rock and post-punk.
The band has had a prolific output, releasing 40 full-length albums along with many other releases, and has garnered a dedicated cult following. Their songs are known for their frequent brevity and for ending abruptly or intertwining with homemade sound effects.
Guided by Voices initially disbanded in 2004. In 2010 the "classic" lineup reunited to perform at Matador Records' 21st anniversary party, subsequently touring and releasing six new albums. GBV broke up a second time in 2014, but Pollard again rebooted the band with a new album and a new lineup in 2016.
Members:
Robert Pollard - lead vocals (1983-2004, 2010-2014, 2016-present), guitar (1983-1992)
Doug Gillard - guitar, backing vocals (1997-2004, 2016-present)
Kevin March - drums, backing vocals (2002-2004, 2014, 2016-present)
Mark Shue - bass, backing vocals (2016-present)
Bobby Bare Jr. - guitar, backing vocals (2016-present)
Former:
Jim Pollard - guitar, bass (1983-1995, 2012)
Mitch Mitchell - guitar (1983-1997, 2010-2014), bass (1983-1987)
Tobin Sprout - guitar, vocals (1986-1997, 2010-2014)
Kevin Fennell - drums (1983-1989, 1993-1997, 2010-2014)
Greg Demos - bass (1990-1992, 1994-2000, 2010-2014)
Paul Comstock - guitar (1983)
Ed John - guitar (1984)
Mitch Swann - guitar (1986)
Don Thrasher - drums (1989-1992)
Steve Wilbur - bass, guitar (1987-1989)
Dan Toohey - bass (1991-1994)
James Greer - bass,(1994-1996)
Bruce "Smitty" Smith - drums (1983, 1989)
Dave Swanson - drums (1997-1998)
Jim Macpherson - drums (1998-2001)
Jon McCann - drums (2001-2002)
Nate Farley - guitar (1998-2004)
Tim Tobias - bass (2000-2003)
Chris Slusarenko - bass (2003-2004)
Nick Mitchell - guitar, vocals (2016)
John Petkovic - guitar (1997-1998)
Don Depew - bass (1997-1998)
Larry Keller - drums (1994-1995)
Craig "Craig-O" Nichols - drums (1995)
Nick Schuld - bass (1997)
Peyton Eric - drums (1986, 1989)
Joe Buben - drums (1996)
Leland Cain - bass (1996)
From: Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Genre(s):
Indie rock,
lo-fi,
garage rock
Active From: 1983-2004, 2010-2014, 2016-present