Charles Douglas profile picture

Charles Douglas

About Me


The official Charles Douglas bio, written by Simon Goddard, from UNCUT magazine:
A few things you ought to know about Charles Douglas. He's a 28 year-old singer songwriter in the tradition of Jonathan Richman, Daniel Johnston and Jim O'Rourke. He's recorded four solo albums; one of these featured an ode to drowned Beach Boy 'Dennis Wilson' and a homage to 'Prince' ("he played guitar like you wouldn't believe/ and he had more hits than Lionel Ritchie"); another was produced by Velvet Underground legend Moe Tucker, who also provided drums; and the latest was recorded by Sonic Youth sound-guru Wharton Tiers and features the unmistakable riffmanship of The Pixies' Joey Santiago.
A few other things you may as well know about Charles Douglas. He dropped out of University in his early twenties and went straight into drug rehab. He was sacked from a job at Burger King but took revenge by stealing a consignment of BK paper crowns, which he wore on stage at gigs. He listens to Miles Davis every morning and has been known to shout random, drive-by abuse at Ryan Adams from his car window.
This is Charles Douglas - madman (possibly), maverick (certainly) and melodic visionary (undoubtedly). Statecraft is his most accomplished album to date; a riot of punk-pop hooks (check blistering opener 'Free At Last' and the Fall-esque title track), white-funk rhythms (the infectious 'Splitting The Atom') and kooky surrealism ('The Rabbit Never Gets The Carrot'). All this and Santiago's finest fret contortions since The Pixies' Trompe Le Monde. Statecraft is the perfect introduction to the heart, soul and sporadic hysteria of alternative America's best-kept secret.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 16/03/2007
Band Website: www.myspace.com/charlesdouglasworld
Influences: Pixies, Velvet Underground, Modern Lovers, Ramones, Dinosaur Jr., David Bowie, Mudhoney, Long Winters, Black Flag, Prince.
Sounds Like: "Laconic, stringently witty pop songs that sound like Lou Reed with an upside-down frown. Or Daniel Johnston on stronger meds." Entertainment Weekly "Demented, maybe, but damn good!" Mojo "Priceless... the year's best punk-pop riffs. Someone rescue this man and make him a star." Uncut "Short, riffy songs with an edge of spiky urban alienation and Jonathan Richman-like wide-eyed wonder... edgy and catchy." CMJ Monthly "Douglas's snide, ditzy work is a celebration of the still-youthful zeal of discovery... His guitar-mangling pop contemplates girls, alcohol and cigarettes out of the corners of its eyes like Lou Reed once venerated heroin." Magnet "A trip into the indie rock mother-drone, with mama Moe Tucker at the helm." Robert Christgau, Village Voice
Record Label: No.6
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

BRAKES BRAKES BRAKES cover "Ancient Mysteries"

One of my fave bands ever, Brakes (aka Brakes Brakes Brakes) has covered "Ancient Mysteries" on their latest album "Touchdown," due out in April on Fat Cat Records.  More to come soon.
Posted by on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:26:00 GMT

"I'm Not Dead Yet, and I Haven't Broken Up"

I am insane(ly pleased) to mention that a "Charles Douglas" tribute album is in the works.  My wife Lisa and I are curating it, and it will be released by an indie label in Oklahoma in sprin...
Posted by on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:19:00 GMT

An old interview from 2001

so i found this old interview i did online about 6 years ago.... it's really funny/sad.  i'd forgotten i'd ever done it.  it makes for fascinating reading.  a lot of the stuff i said in it isn't even ...
Posted by on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:02:00 GMT

Charles Douglas video

The video for my new song "Where Did I Go?" is now posted below.
Posted by on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:32:00 GMT

discography

CHARLES DOUGLAS ALBUMS:Statecraft (2005, Enabler/Redeye)Features Joey Santiago of The Pixies on lead guitars.  Produced by Wharton Tiers.  Available from www.enablerrecords.com.31 Flavors (2001, No.6/...
Posted by on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:49:00 GMT