As the human race more and more resembles a high school production of Invasion of the Body Snatchers , the departure of authentic nonconformos like Captain Beefheart (aka Don Van Vliet) is conspicuous. Beefheart's bucket kick on Dec. 17 was a big sinkhole; he took with him a half-century career of skid-row-sweet-chariot blues-rock, esteemed artwork and a scathing skewering of Squareworld. Former Magic Band guitarist-manager Gary Lucas hosts a Captain Beefheart Symposium tonight with live yap from Matt Groening, Pamela Des Barres, Stan Ridgway, Kristine McKenna and Bill Moseley. Rare footage of Cap 'n' band and a clip of David Lynch reading “Pena” from Beefheart opus Trout Mask Replica will be screened, along with slides of Van Vliet's paintings and sculptures. Weba Garretson will recite “Lick My Decals Off, Baby” and Lucas — one of the greatest guitarists you may or may not have heard of — will demo singular Beefheartian musical concepts with help from his ax; he'll also present unreleased audio tracks. Fast and bulbous!

Thu., Jan. 13, 2011

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