Hey gang. Dave checking in. During the five years that I worked at the Way Out Club, I am absolutely certain no single person played there more than Bryan Wilson, AKA Roger Dodger. So many nights I walked in to that place not really sure what I was opening up for, and if the first person strolling through the door carrying gear was Roger, I knew I could relax; it was going to be a good time. He was a cheerful guy that loved to play, was always good for a laugh, and legitimately cared about everybody he came into con...
Hey gang. Dave checking in. During the five years that I worked at the Way Out Club, I am absolutely certain no single person played there more than Bryan Wilson, AKA Roger Dodger. So many nights I walked in to that place not really sure what I was opening up for, and if the first person strolling through the door carrying gear was Roger, I knew I could relax; it was going to be a good time. He was a cheerful guy that loved to play, was always good for a laugh, and legitimately cared about everybody he came into contact with. Every post on social media, every show announcement, every event page, was signed off "Roger Loves You!"
He lived his whole life in St. Louis, and began his musical career at 16 with a pawn shop guitar named Nellie that his father bought him. He would play for and with just about anybody, just for the love of playing music. He spent time in numerous bands (often concurrently) including Close2Zero, Flashback, Incredible Goats, St. Villagers, and a short jaunt with Dirty Bombshell.
We lost Roger to a tragic mishap on the Meramec River this summer. Shortly after his passing, the mastering of his debut solo EP was completed. The title he gave it is an inside joke with his wife referring to their late pit bull Mikey, which he lovingly nicknamed Mikhail Gorbachev. Paradoxal Pterodactyl, in conjunction with his widow Angela Wilson, is pleased and honored to be able to present it to you here for posterity, on our dearly departed homey's birthday. He was very proud of the work he did on this, and we are very proud to have known him and called him friend.
ROGER DODGER & THE DEAF SOVIETS - "PERESTROIKA"
1. Driving With Ice Cream
2. I'm Your Man
3. Killers
4. Surfing Polar Bear
5. Big Fun Big Noise
Music and lyrics by Bryan Wilson
All instruments except drums played by Bryan Wilson
Drums played by Dean Johnson
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Tazu Marshall at Utopia Studios
On behalf of Bryan, Angela would like to thank Dave and PP for getting this out there; Tazu and Utopia for making it a reality; Dean for making the long trek out from IL to help make it happen; the Way Out Club (RIP) for opening so many doors for him; Africa Swenson; Jeremy Carpenter; and everyone else who played with him and supported him through this crazy adventure. ROGER LOVES YOU!
Stay tuned for more snacktimes and dare I say even some episodes verrrrrrry shortly.
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