Daniel Johnston

There are few entities in this world who can inspire muliple phone calls to a McDonalds, a documentary film, a book and a live rock opera and still live at home with their parents. But Daniel Johnston is one of the few. Songs like his “True Love Will Find You in the End”, a hopeful, innocent anthem delivered over major chords is now a much covered classic, and Kurt Cobain spread the word by often donning a t-shirt that featured the cover art for Johnston’s debut release, Hi How Are You? As a songwriter, his simple, honest and childlike songwriting has inspired both genius acclaim as well as nay saying doubt. But the bipolar artist of many mediums (look for some of his visual pieces from the collection of record guru Tim Hayes at Tigertail in Ballard) is a true original. Whether it was a combination of blind ambition and mental illness or simply pure talent that gained him the cult king status, it really doesn’t matter. There’s no denying that you’d be crazy to miss the chance to see him live. It’s sure to be much better than the stage version. With the Dead Science and PWRFL Power. Neumo’s, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $15 adv. AJA PECKNOLD
Thu., April 17, 8 p.m., 2008