Help me find the name of this obscure musician!

August 19, 2009 9:15 AM

Help me find the name of this obscure musician!

A few months ago, I came across a youtube video, a song by a guy who has written a very, very large number (hundreds) of songs and albums over the past 30 years or so. The guy must be about 60 years old now, from what I can remember from his wikipedia article.

I can't remember what his name is and my google-fu is failing me, and all I can remember about the song is that it is about him not wanting to go out, that he'd rather stay home. The video is of him performing the song on a tv show from the 70s and the drummer is wearing an elephant mask of some sort.

I realize this is vague, but it's really bugging me! If you need any more info, I'll try and provide what I can.

posted by DeltaForce to media & arts (31 comments total)

Jandek?
posted by Constant Reader at 9:21 AM on August 19

Thanks, but that's not it :) I guess I should have detailed the genre; somewhat poppy, use of guitar, keyboard, drums, and some electronic sounds, though all depending on the decade, as he has been making music since the early 70s I believe.

Thanks again!
posted by DeltaForce at 9:25 AM on August 19

Is it David Lindley?
posted by iconomy at 9:31 AM on August 19

Do you remember what he looked like?
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 9:40 AM on August 19

Oh, I see you're 19....bet this "obscure musician" isn't so obscure to me..... ;)
What was the tv show, do you recall?
posted by iconomy at 9:47 AM on August 19

Bruce Haack?
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 9:51 AM on August 19

Daniel Johnston?
posted by elsietheeel at 10:22 AM on August 19

Is it Brian Eno?

Otherwise, can you remember what nationality the guy was? That would likely help with narrowing things down.
posted by urbanlenny at 10:24 AM on August 19

Rufus's dad Loudon Wainright III?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:25 AM on August 19

Richard Thompson
posted by bz at 10:26 AM on August 19

Nick Lowe?
posted by raisingsand at 10:29 AM on August 19

Sorry, here's the link
posted by raisingsand at 10:30 AM on August 19

Hundreds of songs, must be about 60, doesn't want to go out/wants to stay in...please let it not be Bowie.
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 10:31 AM on August 19 [2 favorites has favorites]

not captain beefheart & the magic band, eh?
posted by msconduct at 10:33 AM on August 19

Perhaps Leonard Cohen?
posted by Benjy at 10:34 AM on August 19

Not obscure but Frank Zappa?
posted by tman99 at 10:47 AM on August 19

Roky Erickson?
posted by box at 10:58 AM on August 19

If you need any more info, I'll try and provide what I can.

Basically, tell us everything you know, and then tell us everything you think but you're not sure about.

What nationality and race is this artist? What about the people in the band? Do you remember anything about what the people in the band looked like, what kinds of clothes they wore, what kind of instruments they played, etc.?

What nation produced this tv show (better, what show was it)? You mention a Wikipedia article. Do you remember how long it was, or any words or phrases from it (song titles, album titles, names, etc.)?

I'm sure there are more questions, but that's a start.
posted by box at 11:07 AM on August 19

Possibly Jonathan Richman (Modern Lovers)? The elephant drummer mask rings no bells, but the lyrics could fit.
posted by backwards guitar at 11:11 AM on August 19

Jimmy Buffett?
posted by peep at 11:38 AM on August 19

The song sounds like David Bowie's Modern Love, although I couldn't find a video with an elephant-headed drummer.
posted by timeistight at 12:12 PM on August 19

He's not really obscure, but I'm wondering - could it be Todd Rundgren?
posted by davebush at 12:13 PM on August 19

Keep in mind that she's 19. My son is 19 and just looked at this list and only knew of Frank Zappa, Brian Eno, and David Bowie, so what's obscure to us may or may not be obscure to her. Come back, DeltaForce!
posted by iconomy at 12:20 PM on August 19

R. Stevie Moore. No question. He likes to stay home, where it's safe and sound and nobody has a rifle.
posted by decagon at 12:24 PM on August 19

His Wikipedia article.
posted by decagon at 12:24 PM on August 19

Wow, it was someone obscure. Great find, decagon! I see the elephant mask. How did you find him, or did you know of him already?
posted by iconomy at 12:38 PM on August 19

My brother is an amateur noise musician who combs the tubes looking for stuff like this to sample. Occasionally I get forwarded something like this and it sticks in my memory.
posted by decagon at 12:46 PM on August 19

Whoa, I didn't even know that I had seen Uncle Floyd before, until I saw that clip. I hope there's an FPP on that guy. (goes off to look.)
posted by davejay at 3:10 PM on August 19

YESSSSS! R. Stevie Moore is it.

Thanks to everyone, and especially decagon. Told you he was obscure!!
posted by DeltaForce at 4:14 PM on August 19

You were right...never heard of him!
posted by iconomy at 5:35 PM on August 19

Never heard of R. Stevie Moore, but Uncle Floyd was my favorite show for a while. That guy was one funny dude.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 6:12 PM on August 19