The Days of Lore

Rhett Miller was once a Young 97

Monday, March 2nd, 2009 | musiX

I own both of Rhett Miller’s recent solo albums—full of well-written pop songs with slick production that coulda shoulda woulda worked their way into the VH1 rotation. After hearing them it was obvious that Rhett Miller needs the rest of the Old 97′s, just as they need him. But unless you’re an insane (!) Old 97′s fan, you probably don’t know that 2002′s The Instigator and 2006′s The Believer were not Miller’s first solo efforts …

It was exactly 20 years ago that a young, (even more) fresh-faced 18-year-old named Stewart Ransom Miller II released his first album with the help of future bandmate Murry Hammond. The result was Mythologies, an album filled with youthful angst and odes to fair ladies. Only 1,000 numbered copies were printed, which is probably a good thing … I don’t think Rhett Miller likes to bring it up in interviews.

I had heard of the record, but hadn’t heard any of the songs. I recently found a link to an interview and performance from 1987 on the Old 97′s fan site (via the Dallas Observer). The two-part interview was for a cable access show in Dallas called Hi-Res Diner two years before Mythologies was even released. Miller talks about writing angry songs about ex-girlfriends and his ideas for starting a band (glad he followed through). Now I’m not a violent person, but I have an uncontrollable urge to punch the interviewer in the face. Watch it here.

And check out Miller performing a cover of The Cramps‘ “TV Set” below, along with a couple of selections from Mythologies. Faux-British accents rule.

“Candy Apple Corkscrew Hair” – Rhett Miller (Mythologies)

“Iron Child” – Rhett Miller (Mythologies)

Rhett Miller preforming “TV Set” on Hi-Res Diner in 1987

Tags: Murry Hammond, Mythologies, Old 97's, Rhett Miller, The Believer, The Instigator

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