Outsider artist Jandek released dozens of albums anonymously
This week’s entry: Jandek
What it’s about: In 1978, an album called Ready For The House appeared in record stores to no fanfare. It featured a man with a “wavering voice” plucking guitar strings not set to any recognized tuning. The album allegedly sold only two copies in as many years. But the singer, identified only as Jandek, was undaunted, releasing over 70 albums to date. As his output increased, those interested in outsider art gradually took notice, both to Jandek’s unusual sound and the fact that no information existed about the man behind the band. For 30 years, Jandek’s identity was one of music’s most obscure and puzzling secrets.
Strangest fact: Very little is confirmed about Jandek, and even most of what might be known is in dispute. There is a consensus that his real name is Sterling Smith (the first major review of Ready For The House referred to him by this name), although his middle initial has been listed as both “P” and “R.” He seems to be from Houston, as his albums are self-released through Corwood Records, whose only address is a Houston P.O. Box. The only personal details Smith has ever revealed is that prior to his recording career, he wrote seven novels and burned them all when they were rejected by publishers, and that he worked for a time as a machinist.
Biggest controversy: Jandek’s first album was actually credited to The Units, although he had no backing band on the recording. But there was an existing band with that name, so he used the name Jandek on subsequent recordings and reissues of House. Although Jandek has been used as an alias for Smith himself, later recordings do feature other musicians and vocalists. Their identities are unknown, apart from the song titles, “Nancy Sings,” and “John Plays Drums.”