by Vince Sparzak '08
VinnyMac's 9 Radio Show,
Creator and Host
VinnyMac's 9 Radio Show will host a live, in studio performance and interview from Gary B & the Notions on Friday July 27th at 10 PM. The show will take a break from its typical theme of its weekly request countdown to make way for the band's upcoming on-air appearance.
Leader of the band Gary Barrett, Jr.is no new face to the Baltimore indie scene in Maryland. Over the last six years under the stage name "Your Imaginary Friend" he’s given hundreds of solo performances peppered with opening slots for Sufjan Stevens, the Hold Steady, Of Montreal, Dismemberment Plan, and The Mountain Goats, as well as his favorite songwriter, Franklin Bruno.
His songs are a bit unusual, drawing comparisons to Jonathan Richman or Ted Leo (though he's met both), but his prolificacy and lyrical style put him into a catagory all his own. Ask around in Baltimore and those who know will tell you about their favorite Gary B song and whose mixtape they put it on. Or about the Spring of '04 when for three consecutive months his answering machine featured a new song composed that morning. Baltimore City Paper even printed his home phone number urging readers to listen.
In October of '04 Gary assembled a backing band, The Notions, to showcase his 150+ song catalogue. Bassist Kristofor Heath & drummer Paul Turowski had known each other since the fourth grade and been in bands together for nearly as long. Several lead guitarists came and went (including Bryan Elliott of Liars Academy) before the lineup finally solidified with Timothy Sullivan.
With the release of the "Get Those Crazy Notions!" EP in June of '07, the band has begun recording a proper full-length album entitled "New Twist & Shout." Look for a release in early '08, but for now you can get a preview of what Gary B & The Notions are all about July 27th on VinnyMacs 9 featured on WWHS-FM Tiger 92.1.
