Guided By Voices to split

Beloved indie rock act Guided By Voices will split at the end of the year, frontman Robert Pollard announced on stage Saturday night at New York's Bowery Ballroom. The group's final album, "Half Smiles of the Decomposed," will be released Aug. 24 via Matador. A full announcement is expected from the label on Monday.

"That's it," Pollard said about an hour through the three-hour set, which featured a guest appearance by Chavez/Zwan member Matt Sweeney on "Quicksilver" and a cover of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie." "You can't be the Rolling Stones. You've gotta quit while you're relatively handsome."

GBV's 21-year career will "go out in a blaze of fire," Pollard insisted, adding that the group's final show will be held on New Year's Eve in New York. "We are the kings of indie rock. When we quit, indie rock will die."

Pollard did not give a specific reason for last night's announcement. In recent years, he has spent as much time recording with GBV as he has immersed in solo projects with current and former GBV members, including guitarist Doug Gillard (Lifeguards), bassist Tim Tobias (Circus Devils) and guitarist Tobin Sprout (Airport 5).

GBV's touring plans for the rest of the year have yet to be announced beyond three U.S. shows in June, beginning June 17 in Champaign, Ill.
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