New song by rock band celebrates mysterious CNY native ‘Our Man Syracuse’
presented along with guitarists Doug Gillard and Bobby Bare Jr., drummer Kevin March, and bassist Mark Shue from the Ohio-based band.
The song does not refer to any prominent figures like Jim Brown, Lou Reed, Carmelo Anthony, Pete Yorn, or Joe Biden, as some might suspect. Instead, Pollard revealed that the inspiration for the enigmatic figure of “Our Man Syracuse” actually came from a former classmate of his at Wright State University near Dayton, Ohio. Describing his classmate as a big, athletic individual with long hair who may have been on the varsity volleyball team, Pollard explained that he was known as “Syracuse” because of his hometown.
Those familiar with Pollard know that he attended Wright State University in the late ‘70s and was a member of the college baseball team. This information narrows down the possible identities of “Syracuse” to someone who attended Wright State in the same period and played volleyball. When syracuse.com | The Post-Standard reached out to the university, they discovered that the Men’s Varsity Volleyball team had been established in 1977 and went winless in its first two seasons. The team comprised mostly Ohio natives, except for one player from Pennsylvania named Bill Hiermer, who notably stood out at 6′2″ and 195 pounds.
Pollard’s assertion of “Our Man Syracuse” having played volleyball may have been a minor error, as he admitted not recalling the individual’s name with absolute certainty. Despite the discrepancy, the song captures the essence of a popular, well-liked man, as reflected in the lyrics “We know his name / We know his number / We know his game. And it’s the reason why he came / Yeah, it’s the reason why he came.”
Guided By Voices, founded by Pollard in 1983, has undergone numerous lineup changes over the years, with notable members such as Bob’s brother Jim Pollard, leads to their unique blend of power-pop, garage rock, psychedelic, progressive, and post-punk sounds. The band has enjoyed critical acclaim and a loyal fan base for their vibrant live performances and a discography that includes hits like “Game of Pricks,” “If We Wait,” “Hot Freaks,” “I Am a Scientist,” “A Salty Salute,” “Glad Girls,” and “As We Go Up, We Go Down.”
In addition to their extensive body of work, Pollard has released over 20 albums as a solo artist and collaborated with various musicians, showcasing his creative versatility beyond Guided By Voices. With his recent birthday marking the release of “Thick Rick and Delicious,” fans are treated to yet another exciting chapter in the band’s storied career, highlighted by the intriguing anthem of “Our Man Syracuse.”
Listen to “Our Man Syracuse” and join the speculation as to the true identity of this central figure in the band’s latest musical offering.