Polvo: A (lazy) Primer

Like every lazy 30-something who feels out of touch with the cool, I read the so hip its not hip but hipper than you music blog Pitchforkmedia to keep tabs with what the kids are listening to these days. Most of it is overhyped-mediocre bands from Japan or Brooklyn (or both?) who will make a local appearance at the Rock and Roll Hotel and then forgotten about six months from now. Scanning the posts and ads, I often start to daydream..."remember when we were the kids making the things that people cared about?...oh look, half-naked American Apparel models...Yo La Tengo is still around? ... what on earth is this grime/dubstep genre that gets its own monthly column?...." A few months back, this perusing-stream-of-consciousness came to a screeching halt when I read this gift from the heavens: Polvo reunion coming to American/Spain.

If I had to make a list of bands that I love yet never saw live, Polvo, who have been broken up for over a decade now, would rank near (if not at) the top of the list. And what is this I read? The reunion tour starts in Washington DC. Yes.


I was going to use the excuse of writing for this blog to try to contact Ash Bowie, the lead vocalist/guitarist, to interview him and geek out like a school girl reading Sassy. I was too lazy/intimidated to contact him, therefore you just get some random tidbits and musings from me. Sorry. Here goes:

The basics: Polvo was a four-piece out of Chapel Hill in the early 1990s known for having droney vocals and noisy riffs layered over repetitive bass lines and unique time signatures. They released two full albums on Merge and two full albums on Touch and Go before disbanding in 1998.

Homo-tendencies: To my knowledge none of them are gay.

DC connection: Ash Bowie briefly played in Helium, who are also close to the top of the list of bands I love that I never saw live. Helium was fronted by DC's own Mary Timony. Ash and Mary used to date. Not quite Thurston & Kim or Adrock & Kathleen, but definitely up there.

Key lyric: "I'm waiting for a postcard that you won't write, just hoping there's a chance that you might." from "Fast Canoe"

Song to put on a mixed tape: "Fractured (Like Chandeliers)" from the EP Celebrate the New Dark Age

On the reunion: Though I was lazy, Pitchfork wasn't. Ash: "Some of the old songs we're playing have been changed pretty radically, others not so much. Of course, we're still mostly dealing with old material right now, but we're approaching it as an opportunity to weed out some stuff that hasn't aged well, and to add some new ideas so that it's not a by-the-numbers recreation. The whole process has been a lot of fun, actually."

On getting tickets: As of today, the Black Cat website indicates that there are tickets available. Reunion shows for indie bands are always an unpredictable affairs. Polvo, though now considered innovative and a staple of 1990s indie rock, were not as well-known and accessible when they were actually together. In fact, they may not have been able to sell out the Black Cat in the 1990s. With the widespread popular culture obsession with independent music and all things edgy and hip, this could be packed with those who are there just to be there (i.e. what I call the Pitchfork effect). Its anyone's guess. I would order the will-call tickets online, just to be safe. They are $13, which is a steal.

What to wear: I am guessing the average age of the crowd for this will be 32, and therefore most should "know better." Guys' jeans should not be as tight as they would be for say Deerhunter. An understated graphic-t-shirt would suffice. Though, you could always be a trend setter and wear this. The girls that would swoon over Polvo in the 1990s likely wore vintage dresses and had skunk chunks in their hair. I think these same girls now work at non-profits and wear designer denim, with spaghetti strap tank-tops and maybe a lightweight sweater? The weather might play a factor here. Spring is iffy.

Where to stand: The closer to the stage the better. The intricacies of the songs will likely get lost if you are too close to the bar listening to some tool talk about the election or how he dated Mary Timony's roommate in college.

What to drink: Definitely Makers Mark on the rocks. If you must do Jack, do it with Ginger and not Coke. Beer is too predictable for this show. Resist the urge.

Polvo makes their triumphant return to the District on Friday, May 9th, at the Black Cat. 1811 14th St. NW Washington, DC 20009 Doors open at 9:00. The Oranges Band and Sir Arthur & His Royal Nights Open. $13