The Doodars
"Downtown Newyorkers Ruin Everything"

Forumite Bob Hoffnar holds down the steel chair in this New York studio punk art quartet. Bandleader Justin Asher composed most of the tunes, which are a bit reminiscent of Frank Zappa. Bob's pedal steel is very much "on the edge" both in tone and in the choice of notes.

It's worth noting that all parts (guitar, steel, double bass, drums and percussion) were written by Asher. Bob recorded his parts with only drums as a reference. Bob plays well, of course, but the genre is far from the mainstream styles we expect to hear on a steel guitar. If you're looking for country, move on. Those downtown Newyorkers ruin everything! 

1. Bombing
2. The Alpine Slide
3. Before She Wakes Up
4. Thunderball (v)
5. Kathryn Eby
6. We Three (v)
7. Theme From "Mr. Heavy Lung"
8. The Road To Paradise
9. Xavier Chapman And His Company

"New Music for Pedalsteel Guitar"

Bob Hoffnar has finally produced a CD of his own avant guarde music. An atonal mixture of improvisations and written compositions, this set approaches the limits of modern art music.

The first two tracks are solo pedalsteel (as the Europeans spell it, without a space). Then Bob takes us on a quiet journey with two very sensitive duets and a trio. You can almost hear a pin drop in the studio.

The last three tracks date back to the 1990's, when Bob was more heavily into experimental electronic music. If your musical tastes are not limited to traditional harmonies and styles, you will certainly enjoy this album.

1. Canto Primo Op.72 (Benjamin Britten) solo pedalsteel
2. I Remember (Hoffnar) solo pedalsteel
3. Duet for Cello and Pedalsteel (Hoffnar) with Jane Scarpantoni, cello
4. Juliet (Hoffnar) with Doug Wieselman, bass clarinet
5. Understanding Desire (Simons) with John Convertino, string bass and David Simons, percussion
6. Wolfrun (Deane) with J. A. Deane, sampler and editing
7. Guardians of the Human Race (Simons, Hoffnar) with David Simons, sampler
8. Duet for Dancer and Pedalsteel (Hoffnar) with Joslyn Stewart, dancer