‘Daydream Believer’ Disillusioned With Record Industry

Songwriter John Stewart, author of the Monkees’ mega-hit “Daydream Believer,” once believed in the record industry.

In 1987, he established his own record label, the Ship. Inspired by the success of Tracy Chapman and other singer-songwriters who infiltrated the adult market, Stewart, 50, hoped to record new folk and pop artists “who write because of commitment, not to make money.” It was a market to be tapped.

It was no market at all.

“Without casting aspersions on Tracy Chapman,” said Stewart, who will perform at McCabe’s in Santa Monica tonight, “her success wasn’t an indication that folk music is going to be big again. Look at the Grammys. The nominees are established rock stars such as Don Henley and Tom Petty. I don’t think adults are looking for anything new now.”

As the Ship faded away in 1989--Stewart failed to sign any artists to recording deals--he turned again to his solo performances on the road. A former member of the Kingston Trio, Stewart captured most of his fame in 1967 with “Daydream Believer.” It sold 5 million copies and inspired a popular remake by Anne Murray in 1980. His latest album, “Punch the Big Guy,” was released in 1987 and sold only 25,000 copies.

He plans to keep touring but isn’t ready for more albums.

“What’s the point? To put an album out there and watch it disappear isn’t worth it to me,” Stewart said.

John Stewart will appear at 8 tonight at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Tickets cost $12.50. For information, call (213) 828-4403.

Eugene Chadbourne’s affinity for the bizarre in music can be traced back to his early adolescence.

“I used to bang on garbage cans to make sounds,” said singer-guitarist Chadbourne, 36, who will appear at Reseda’s Bebop Records and Fine Art on Feb. 6.

Among his array of instruments: an electric rake, electric toilet plunger and electric golf club. The rake, with its grating noise, has become his trademark. He plays it at every performance.

“I really don’t know where these ideas come from,” said Chadbourne, who lives in North Carolina. “They just come from different junk around my house. One day, they just became part of my act.”

But Chadbourne knows how to be conventional too. He has recorded more than three dozen albums, including collaborations with the rock band Violent Femmes. Though not a household name, he spends half the year touring the country as a solo act.

Eugene Chadbourne will play at 8 on Feb. 6 at Bebop Records, 18433 Sherman Way, Reseda. No charge. For information, call (818) 881-1654.

Peter de Galvan, lead singer of the pop-folk band Bedshredders, can’t write a song with an uninterrupted theme.

“Within the context of one song, I might shift around from one idea to another. It’s just the way I write,” said de Galvan, 26, of Highland Park, whose group will appear at Bebop Feb. 2. “People don’t think in story line. Their thought pattern goes all over the place.”

Together for almost three years, the group has played at various Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley clubs. But so far, it hasn’t drawn interest from record executives.

“People always wonder why we don’t have any record deals,” de Galvan said, “and I think it’s our attitude. We just get up and play and don’t put on a false posture to impress record people. We’re liked by people in the record industry who don’t have the power, by themselves, to sign us. They need the backing, but they don’t get it.”

The Bedshredders will play at 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at Bebop Records, 18433 Sherman Way, Reseda. No charge. For information, call (818) 881-1654.