Playbill: Daniel Johnston

By William Michael Smith Tue., Dec. 26 2006 at 1:37 PM

Categories: Playbill

Artistically and theatrically, it's been a monster year for Waller resident and indie music pioneer Daniel Johnston. In March, a dozen Johnston drawings were included in New York's Whitney Museum of American Art Biennial 2006, and in the same month the 2005 Sundance Film Festival sensation The Devil and Daniel Johnston had its commercial premier in New York. Back in Houston, Infernal Bridegroom Productions staged the wildly successful rock opera Speeding Motorcycle, which playwright Jason Nodler adapted from lyrics in Johnston's albums. The play was so well received IBP reprised the production later in the year and sold every ticket available.

For fans of Johnston's music, 2006 saw Johnston release the compilation Welcome to My World and quietly begin to gig around town occasionally under the moniker Danny and The Nightmares. A garage band consisting of Waller neighbors Jason and Brigette "Nightmare", The Nightmares are as likely to trip through "The Monster Mash" or material from their 1999 release The End Is Near Again as they are any of Johnston's early material. But whatever the set list, Johnston's attendance should mark this as one of the edgier New Year's Eve parties as he warms up for a 2007 date at David Bowie's "Highline" festival in New York City. - William Michael Smith

Danny and The Nightmares perform Sunday, December 31 at Rudyard's Pub, 2010 Waugh Drive, 713-521-0521.

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