Not many bands come with a White House seal of approval. But White House Press Secretary Jay Carney has put his indie-rockin’ heart on his sleeve. While making an announcement as to the travel plans for Obama and English PM David Cameron to Dayton, Ohio, this week, Carney couldn’t help but mention his favorite band.
Having announced President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron were headed to Dayton, Ohio, for an NCAA tournament play-in game, Carney felt he had to add, “As you probably know, Dayton is the home of the Wright Brothers, the Dayton Peace Accords, and Guided By Voices, the greatest rock ’n’ roll band of the modern era, in my humble opinion.”
Whether GBV are flattered or simply baffled by the endorsement, no one yet knows.
Guided By Voices will release their second album of the year in June with Class Clown Spots a UFO on Fire Records. This follows on the heels of Let’s Go Eat the Cake Factory, the Guided By Voices album released in January, marking the reunion of classic lineup: Robert Pollard, Tobin Sprout, Greg Demos, Mitch Mitchell and Kevin Fennel.
U.K. PM David Cameron made his own bid for indie cred in 2010, declaring himself a huge fan of The Smiths. Johnny Marr, ex-Smiths guitarist, Tweeted in return: “Stop saying that you like The Smiths, no you don't. I forbid you to like it.”
Where will this all end? Obama himself declaring he’s collecting Sebadoh 7-inch singles?
Check out Jay Carney’s favorites below.
"60 minute DVD in Amaray Case, 28 Pg Booklet House of Blues and The Rock House Method® join together to bring you this unique and comprehensive beginner acoustic program. Jam-packed with a complete spectrum of techniques and components that will have you playing today. The one-on-one lessons with world renowned instructor and guitarist Kevin McCreery start with the basics of holding and tuning your guitar, then guide you step-by-step through chords, strum patterns, scales, song rhythms, finger picking, and more. Play along with the included full bass and drum backing tracks. Also, have fun while learning about the history and famous pioneers of acoustic guitar. Each Rock House product includes free lifetime membership to Rock House's online lesson support system. Enhance your learning experience, links with instructors, download backing tracks, access message boards, and much more. You'll connect with a community of musicians around the world learning to play music using The Rock House Method."
"75 minute DVD in Amaray Case, 32 Pg Booklet House of Blues The Rock House Method® join together to offer this unique and comprehensive beginner program that will have you playing blues guitar in no time! Throughout the more than 90 minutes of one-on-one lessons with instructor and guitarist John McCarthy you'll develop a solid understanding of general guitar basics, a foundation for playing blues guitar and an historical perspective of the blues. The program features essential blues chords and scales, the BB Box, and lead techniques like string bending, vibrato, hammer-ons, pull-offs and other techniques used by greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. There are complete blues rhythms including the 12 bar blues and much more! The full band backing tracks let you feel the excitement and energy of playing in your own band. Each Rock House product includes free lifetime membership to Rock House's online lesson support system. Enhance your learning experience, links with instructors, download backing tracks, access message boards, and much more. You'll connect with a community of musicians around the world learning to play music using The Rock House Method."