Okay, normally I'm the last person to come on here and stir up crap (intentionally, at least) and for that matter there's a lot more important things to be freaking out about (like this, for instance:
http://members.aol.com/yipeye/orderfrm.htm) but I just finally got a look at this book and I am right royally peeved off!
I was in communication with at least one person involved as the new edition was being worked on and I was VERY CLEAR that one thing in the original printing needed to be fixed: the stupid and very WRONG contention that Daniel's SXSW '97 "comeback" show was a frightening affair featuring a disoriented and deranged performer. I "masterminded" that show - and took a lot of **** for it from some people - at a time when the common belief was that Daniel was incapable of ever playing live again, and I didn't appreciate the book's mischaracterization of a fantastic, though brief, show where Daniel vindicated me and himself completely.
If the new edition's description of the gig is different, then it is if anything far WORSE and more misleading than before! The new book claims that the show was a chilling affair that "ended abruptly" with a heavily-medicated Daniel screaming "We're all gonna die!" to the crowd. The authors might as well have said that the show ended with Daniel doing a Duran Duran medley in a duet with Bob Hope on board a spaceship made of taffeta and tuna cans - that would have been about as accurate as what actually saw print.
What follows is an EXACT transcript off of VHS videotape of the last moments of Daniel Johnston & the Rhythm Rats' performance at SXSW '97, concluding a totally fun and professional four-song gig (four songs is all that the band & Daniel had time to prepare together):
Daniel: [as band "vamps out" of the last song] "All right!!! I hope you had a good time!" [audience cheers; Dan acknowledges with a wave] That's all... that's all we've got!" [more cheers; Dan raises both fists in a "winning boxer" victory salute]
Drummer Rusty Trapps: [in loud booming voice] "Daniel Johnston, ladies and gentlemen! Give it up!!!" [loud cheers; Daniel jokingly cowers in mock fear of the "voice from on high", then returns to the microphone]
Daniel: "Thank you! [More cheers from crowd; Daniel points to each band member to indicate that the audience should "give the band some"] You're a great audience... You always were! It's been a long time... sure seems like a long time to go for four songs! Goodbye! [more cheers and some laughter from audience; Daniel plays a bit of energetic "air guitar" as band continues to vamp, then right as they hit their last note he concludes] Goodnight!"
(For direct evidence of the mood of the show, see the clip I posted on Youtube featuring Dan & the Rats' performance of "I'm a Believer" from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNWotMkoSHQ)
- notdan
Author