Dec 19, 2025

Billy's Books 98: Elantris

Billy reviews a fantasy book, Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson. A shining city has fallen, and its formerly godlike population are damned. Why?

Thanks again to the Saint Louis Public Library. Support your local library!

Nov 26, 2025

Far Out

Long anticipated, finally finished, Doctor Special's new album, Far Out, is ready for your ears! This is all original music recorded entirely in Saint Louis.

  1. Far Out 
  2. Where We Belong 
  3. The Rules 
  4. Hypocrite 
  5. You’re Great 
  6. Ya Know  
  7. Not To Be You 
  8. When The Satellites Drop 
  9. That’s Your Mama

Billy Dechand - voice, guitar, keyboards
Ernesto Doural, Jr. - drums
Micah Johnson - bass, voice
Mark Youngbauer - guitar

All songs written by Billy Dechand except:
“Where We Belong”, “The Rules”, and “Ya Know” by Billy Dechand and Mark Youngbauer
© 2025 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Mixed and mastered by Jacob Detering at Red Pill Studios
Cover Island Image by Debaudh Majee

The album is available online:

Sep 9, 2025

Billy’s Books 97: The Wager

Here's a history book, The Wager, by David Grann. A famous shipwreck that I personlly had never heard of, but others have. There's a little island of the coast of South America called Wager Island. Now you know why.

Thanks again to the Saint Louis Public Library. Support your local library!

Aug 6, 2025

Flying Saucer Surprise

I'm excited to announce a new album release. Flying Saucer Surprise is a new band of old friends. 

A new psychedelic rock project with funk leanings, Flying Saucer Surprise brings together three seasoned musicians: Billy Dechand (St. Louis, MO), Matt Kaden (Memphis, TN), and Dan Sonenberg (Portland, ME).

Also note the cover art by Jim Pruy.

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Flying Saucer Surprise album cover by Jim Pruy



Jul 12, 2025

Billy's Books 96: Immaculate Conception

Here's an actual novel! It's supposed to be just regular fiction, which I read so rarely, but it ends up being scifi upon closer examination.

This one is Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang. There's cloning and consciousness transfer and all sorts of stuff that lead to big questions.

Thanks again to the Saint Louis Public Library. Support your local library!

Jun 12, 2025

Billy's Books 95: Reign of the Empire: Mask of Fear

Time for another Star Wars book! This is a rather wonky book, with political planning and action being the primary focus. Mon Mothma tries to build a coalition against the emperor, Bail Organa looks for evidence suppoorting the innocence of the Jedi, while Saw Guererra seeks the weapons cache of the broken Separatists.

One thing I didn't mention is how important Padme Amidala's memory is to both Mon Mothma and Bail Organa. At imes they'd reach a breaking point, but then stick together to honor the political vision of Padme, as well as their shared friendship. Those are beautiful but sad moments.

Thanks again to the Saint Louis Public Library. Support your local library!

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