Singer/songwriter Robbie Fulks of Chicago, Ill., is not afraid to speak his mind. He’s also not afraid to bite the industry that feeds him. Fulks made known his dislike for mainstream modern country and the country music industry in true songwriter fashion when he wrote the song “Fuck This Town” in honor of Nashville. After many lunches and handshakes, Fulks was disenchanted with the Nashville de rigueur. For four years he served as a staff songwriter for Nashville’s Affiliated Publishers.

Nowadays the 44-year-old crooner is well-known for his comical songwriting and unabashed showmanship. His clever words, sincere lies, jocular phrases and effervescent personality make him one act that people can’t seem to take their eyes off. I’d call him an extrovert among extroverts. His music could be called retro-country but in a non-conformist kind of way. Fulks, who cannot be neatly filed under a genre, creates very thought-provoking and compelling music alongside hilarious novelty songs. Under genre on his MySpace page it says country/indie/bluegrass, but he has also been known to do covers of Michael Jackson, ABBA and Cher.

A prolific songwriter, Fulks has at least six solo albums under his belt. His album Country Love Songs, which was released in 1995, sold 8,000 copies. His follow-up, South Mouth, two years later sold 12,000 copies. His most recent album, Couples in Trouble, has been written up in Spin, Rolling Stone, USA Today, Esquire, Details, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Billboard, the Journal of Country Music, GQ and Country Music. His television appearances include performances on “Austin City Limits,” “Western Beat” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”

Listen up now at www.myspace. com/robbiefulks.



[Bishops Pub and Grill, Thursday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m., $12-$15, 17618 Vashon Hwy. S.W., Vashon Island, 206.463.5959]