Billy's Books 99: Light in August

Billy talks about a classic book, Light in August, by William Faulkner. An American masterpiece, really. Racism and sexism and ignorance and hate fit together seamlessly. Why?

This is genuine literature, so it's demanding, but also a page-turner.

While he watches her with that despair of all men in the presence of female tears, she begins to cry. She sits upright, the child at her breast, crying, not loud and not hard, but with a patient and hopeless abjectness, not hiding her face. “And you worry me about if I said No or not and I already said No and you worry me and worry me and now he is already gone. I will never see him again.” And he sits there, and she bows her head at last, and he rises and stands over her with his hand on her bowed head, thinking Thank God, God help me. Thank God, God help me.

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

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!

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. 

This album was released streaming only. However, if you prefer the superior CD listening experience, you can download and burn all albums from Bandcamp.

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:

• Bandcamp
  
• Apple Music
• YouTube Music
• Tidal
• Amazon
• Pandora
• Spotify

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!

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.

(Follow/Like us on your favorite site, please!)

Give it a spin! 

• Bandcamp
• YouTube Music
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Tidal
  
• qobuz
• Your favorite streamer

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!