Guided By Voices Not Breaking Up

Premature announcement from ATP followed by quick denial from the band.

By Fred Mills

That itching in your hairy palms you felt yesterday? Word that Guided By Voices had split up again, and on the near-eve of its new album Let's Go Eat The Factory (Jan. 1), no less. An email sent out by organizers of the All Tomorrow's Parties announcing that the Afghan Whigs were reuniting to play the Mogwai/ATP-curated May 27 "I'll Be Your Mirror" concert in London also included this notation:

"We're very sad to announce the disappointing news that Guided By Voices will no longer play on the Sunday of the event. The band are breaking up and have cancelled all 2012 live appearances. Those of you who bought Sunday Day tickets for this event are invited to claim a refund if you no longer want to attend. Please contact your ticket agency before the end of January to do so. Once again we're very sorry to be the bearers of this bad news and sorry to those of you who it has inconvenienced."

Hold on, not so fast, whizz kids: GBV quickly stepped in to issue their own counter-statement:

"Guided by Voices have not split up and continue to work on new material together. In addition to the album release of Let's Go Eat the Factory for January, the band are at work on another album, Class Clown Spots A UFO. Robert Pollard will also be releasing a solo record in March called Mouseman Cloud.Unfortunately Guided By Voices are canceling their appearances at Primavera and ATP/I'll Be Your Mirror, due to personal reasons. The band apologizes for any inconvenience and disappointment, and thanks Primavera, ATP and the fans for their longterm support. including the plans to have played at next year's I'll Be Your Mirror event in the UK."

What's next? Is this all some insidious promotional strategy? Stay tuned!