The other managed to squeeze being a progenitor in the UK punk rock scene and playing a vital role in the film There's Something About Mary into the same career.
Other than their deep songbooks and resumes, the respectively aforementioned Mike Doughty and Jonathan Richman have long shared little in common – until now. They'll both take the stage at the storied Sweetwater Music Hall in the next week – Doughty on Sunday night and Richman next Tuesday.
Richman founded the Velvet Underground-influenced Modern Lovers, a band that in turn influenced the later punk, new wave and indie rock scenes in the 1970s and 80s. The original Modern Lovers included Talking Heads multi-instrumentalist (and longtime Mill Valley resident) Jerry Harrison.
Doughty's Soul Coughing was best known for its unique, oddly funky sound and his own often off-the-wall lyrics.
Get a taste of each below, and head to the Sweetwater site for more info and tickets.