If you ever saw Kurt Cobain wearing a shirt that read "Hi! How are you" with a frog-like character on it, you have heard of Daniel Johnston. This troubled, "brilliant", singer/songwriter has been making music since the 70's and has gained a cult following throughout the decades of fans and musicians alike. His simple style and sometimes great or sometimes painful renditions of tunes makes his live shows interesting and different. His show at the El Rey theater last night with Soko, and his most recent record producer, Jason Faulkner, proved Johnston's roller coaster performance style and his ability to win you over with his simple, genuine message in his tunes.
Johnston was born in 1961and began writing songs in the late 70's. He suffers from manic depression and was to be signed to Elektra Records, but refused because Metallica was signed to the label and he thought they were the devil. Johnston also thought the devil was possessing his manager at the time and fired him. He signed with Atlantic and has produced many popular records and songs throughout the years. He is notorious for his shows, given his medical condition, and has been know for last minute cancellations for the most absurd of reasons.
Soko invited the full room into her intimate space. When this singer songwriter performs, she brings you into her living room and let's you into her world. Starting the set with back up singers, she dropped down to solo for 'The little Mermaid' mid set Her exquisite, dainty songs turn into rapturous pain exploding pain more often than not. Her raw practice space styled drum song 'Nervous Breakdown' would make Jack White restart the White Stripes having found a new Meg. Her new album My Father's an Alien will be out this fall.
Jason Faulkner slammed open his set with a straight up rock jam. His songs have a Midwestern bar room bop to them. Take 'Ever Angeline' which is a solid easy 90's soft rock styled number take harkens to a Lynard Skynard guitar riff jam. This song is 'already out in Japan' but not in the US. Faulkner shared his annoyance with record companies release plans and launched into a full, but unremarkable set.
The crowd yelped and proclaimed their love for Daniel Johnston as he played solo acoustic, read lyrics, and belted out his first few numbers. Singing poetic lyrics like 'Flat tire down memory lane' entranced the audience as he wrapped up with the words 'you can use some help'. Though these opening numbers were hard to hear, his singing style gruff and playing simplistic, when you focus on the melody and words, there is indeed something magical occurring before your eyes.
At first, it seems that the crowd is just sympathetic to this man's psychological struggles and accepting his horrible performance out of sheer pity. Maybe that is a part of Johnston's success? The musicians on stage play incredibly well in comparison to Johnston, who's hands shake and tremble as he sings, which surely makes it difficult for him to play an instrument. How can an audience not feel compassion for this man? Scratch that surface though and you will see a man who writes good songs and touches your heart by having the guts to put his art out into the world. I would not compare Johnston to other musical geniuses with disabilities such as Ray Charles, Beethoven, and Stevie Wonder. Johnston is a man with talent and a disability that has hindered him to achieve major commercial success, yet has still made an impact in his chosen field while he pursue his dreams.
After a couple of numbers with Faulkner, Johnston became more confident, having slipped into his performance like a glove to a hand. The band came on to join the men for 'Speeding Motorcycle' which sounded like an early Lennon/McCartney tune. Right after, ironically, he belted out a interesting version of 'Hide your love Away'. Soko and her back up singers came onstage for 'Telephone Ring' and another Beatles cover of 'Revolution'. While everyone was having a great time performing, it was like watching your Uncle perform karaoke in some moments.
If you're not familiar with Johnston, you miss out on some secret jokes. The audience flipped for a song called 'Casper' which I later learned was a reference to a manic episode the songwriter had with is Father while flying and the two having to crash land. Apparently Johnston thought he was Casper the friendly ghost, pulled the keys out of the ignition of a small plane his father, and through the keys out the window, forcing a crash landing. Fortunately neither were hurt and Johnston was soon, there after, committed. So the song holds a story of his life and if you don't connect to the story, who the man is will be lost on any half-assed listener.
The night ended with a beautiful note and all other songs were eclipsed by a heartfelt rendition of 'True Love Will Find you in the End'. The El Rey slowly emptied leaving behind a warmth and beauty that Johnston exuded with this eloquent end song.
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