Pop Zeus MVPs Revealed! #5- Mitch Mitchell

It's been a long while since I revealed another Pop Zeus MVP, but this one was worth the wait- Mitch Mitchell! He was there with Robert Pollard at the very genesis of Guided By Voices as one of the original 3 members (including long-time early years drummer Kevin Fennell). And before GBV was GBV, Bob and Mitch were Acid Ranch (along with brother Jim Pollard), sharing songwriting duties and conjuring up some amazing and weird stuff. And even before that he was in heavy metal cover band with Bob called Anacrusis (story to be detailed in the Secret Origin Of GBV section of Pop Zeus).

And once Guided By Voices was formed, Mitch played bass or guitar on most of the records from 1986's Forever Since Breakfast all the way to 1997's Mag Earwhig! He also continued to share co-songwriting credits on many tracks. And it was GBV's 1995 lineup with Mitch that I saw for the first time in New York City, that fateful summer day. And after the show, Mitch jumped off the stage and greeted the fans (including me). The gesture made a huge impression and it's a story I will also be telling in more detail in Pop Zeus.



And of all the past members of the band (nearly 50!), Mitch might be the most iconic- long scraggly hair, full sleeves of tattoos, requisite cigarette dangling off his lip, master of the "raising a goblet to the god of rock" power chord strum (pictured below). I gotta say, I'm looking forward to drawing Mitch!

That said, Mitch Mitchell is a most worthy addition to the Pop Zeus MVP pantheon, joining the likes of Tobin Sprout, Doug Gillard, Jim MacPherson, and Greg Demos... so far. Go check out Mitch's website for his most excellent solo band, Mitch Mitchell's Terrifying Experience. And damn if they aren't opening for Robert Pollard and the Ascended Masters' Dayton gig in November! Can't wait to hear about the Mitch/Bob reunion and I sure wish I could be there (sob!)...