May 9, 2023

The Penultimate Truth

I review a Philip K. Dick science fiction book, The Penultimate Truth. Humanity lives underground, to escape the radiation on the surface from World War III. But a few still live upstairs. What's the deal?

Those few who live up there fly around in "Flapples". At one point, one of the characters "disemflappled" as he finished his trip.

As always, thanks to Saint Louis Public Library for the book. Support your local library!

Apr 9, 2023

Billy's Books 73: Victory City

I am actually reading a contemporary novel, Victory City by Salman Rushdie. The literate industry has labelled it "Magical Realism". I can see that, though I'm not a fan of the term. Maybe it's a fable, myth, or even saga. But they're all such loaded words.

As always, thanks to Saint Louis Public Library for the book. Support your local library!

Mar 7, 2023

Never Let It Happen - Studio Video

I released an EP, Don't Overthink It, last year. Now I've finally gotten around to editing this in-studio recording.

   

  1. Billy Dechand (voice, guitar, keyboard)
  2. Matt Kaden (drums, piano, voice)
  3. Mark Youngbauer (guitar, bass)

Words & music by Billy Dechand
© 2022 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Available on most music services: 

Feb 25, 2023

Billy's Books 72: Blind Man’s Bluff

Back to history! I can imagine my dad reading Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage (by Sherry Sontag, Christopher Drew, and Annette Lawrence Drew) when it came out, around 1998. This one's a collection of short stories, all related as a history of American submarines doing spywork during the Cold War.

Here's an amusing footnote:

As always, thanks to Saint Louis Public Library for the book. Support your local library!

Jan 26, 2023

Billy's Books 71: The Great Gatsby

Billy reviews the modern masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Apparently it pissed him off that no one appreciated it when initially published, because he knew it was so good. In historical tradition of the arts, it became a classic after he died.

During the review, I mention how I disagreed with my English teacher about symbolism. Here's an article about authors and their intent.

As always, thanks to Saint Louis Public Library for the book. Support your local library!

Jan 16, 2023

Falling So High - Lyric Video

Yes, I just released a new EP, Don't Overthink It. So what have I done? I made a lyrics video from my five year old album, Down.

This is "Falling So High".
Words & music by Billy Dechand
© 2018 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Billy Dechand – voice, guitar, bass, keyboard
Scott McGreer - guitar
Jim Warchol – drums
David Taylor - voice

Video material from Pixabay artists:
DistillVideos, Engin_Akyurt, Iconikmg, Tomislav Jakupec