DC ROCK CLUB
Long live rock, I need it every night

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Wanna touch my Polvo?


With the wife and kids out of town, I decided to make a night of it and see reunited Polvo at the Black Cat. I started the evening at Bar Pilar, where I enjoyed some anchovies on toasted bread and a chicken breast with asparagus, artichokes, and tomatoes all washed down with 2 Alligash beers. It was a tasty way to start the evening.

I got to the Black Cat in time to catch the last song by The Oranges Band , who we have seen as openers for both Spoon and The Dismemberment Plan. There were fine. I was never enamored with this band as much as Jumboslice , and I still don't think I look anything like the bassist (though he has ditched the pin-covered jean jacket for a polo shirt, classy..)

Speaking of lookalikes, the Black cat was full of them tonight, as in "everyone looked like everyone else". Lots of middle age semi- hipster doofus types, mostly male, lots of beards, etc... I fit right in. Polvo came on around 11:45 to about a 1/2 full Black Cat mainstage.

To be honest, I had never heard Polvo prior to tonight, but they had been heavily endorsed by friend of RC, Chip Chumpus. Basically, they formed in Chapel Hill around 1990-91 in what was essentially a thriving, guitar driven indie rock scene (Superchunk, Archers of Loaf). They put out a few albums in the mid-90's and disbanded in 1997. This was their first show in like 10 years and they are participating in the All Tomorrows Parties NYC show later this year.

The music was an interesting mix of layered guitars, heavy percussion, and unconventional song structure (paraphrasing Allmusic here, I can't write this shit on my own...). It is a bit hard to describe, but I really must say, I liked it a lot. Maybe because it was something different, maybe it was primarilly guitar driven (which I like), I am not sure. They reminded me a little of Fugazi, which may be due to the numerous tempo changes in the songs. In any case, it was an enjoyable set (I did leave a little early) and a good night out.

And finally, to clarify my point about the average age of the crowd, there was a girl at the bar wearing a Mr Bungle t-shirt (no lie). I was going offer her money for it so Potsy could add it to his collection. However, she kind of looked like Ann Smith (Jimbromski and Rick M. will know who I am talking about), so having her take her shirt off would be unkind to the rest of the patrons at the club.....

5 comments:

Jimbromski said...

you have a sophisticated palate

Jumbo Slice said...

I like when bands like Polvo reunite. Gives me hope I'll get to see Fugazi one last time (never gonna happen). How was Sir Arthur & His Royal Knights? Did they play "Never Gonna Give You Up"?

sacklunch said...

I missed Sir Arthur, I was downsatirs talking to Chip Chumpus and company.

You know, I was thinking about the Fugazi reunion when I was watching these guys play. I seriously don't see that happening. Maybe an impromptu show at Ft. Reno, but that is doubtful.

Anonymous said...

Didn't you see Ann Smith with her shirt off?

Jimbromski said...

Please don't answer that question