Back in March we ran a contest to give away two tickets to see Polvo play a reunion show at Bowery Ballroom here in New York City. The one catch: our contest winner had to review the show for us. Well, the show was this past Saturday night and Eric Newhart was there on behalf of EAR FARM…

Something like the entire state of Iowa is underwater. Huh? Gas costs $4 plus a gallon. What? Are these signs of an imminent apocalypse? Is life as we know it coming to an end? Certainly these are events that we may have considered unlikely - improbable, if not totally outrageous - a mere 5 years ago. Include among those events the reunion of Polvo, one of the more influential bands to emerge from the post-grunge Chapel Hill scene in the early 1990s. After attending the first performance of Polvo I’ve witnessed in 15 years, if indeed it is the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it… I feel fine.

For those unacquainted, Polvo burst onto the indie rock scene in 1992 upon the release of Cor-Crane Secret by Merge Records. Of course, the term ‘indie rock’ was a label being developed at the time by bands such as Polvo and Superchunk (both Chapel Hill products) along with Pavement, Guided By Voices, Seam, Poster Children and Dinosaur Jr. I recall the buzz at the time surrounding Chapel Hill as ‘the next Seattle.’ Post-punk distortion reigned. Expanding the two minute rule, these bands developed expositions of sound rooted in guitar skill. Unfortunately for the music community, and for many of these bands, the Seattle prediction never came to pass to the degree and extent imagined. That being said, the contribution made by these bands may be heard in contemporary genres relying upon a standard guitar-based approach.

While a DJ at the University of Texas student radio station (Ed. note: KVRX), my music director labeled Polvo as ‘country-fried Sonic Youth.’ I remember thinking “this guy doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.” Polvo’s distinctive off-key attack generated more accurate comparisons to Asian influences, particularly Indian music. This sound was further developed on 1993’s Today’s Active Lifestyles, evolving into what would some would refer to as the genesis of math rock. Polvo further refined this approach into a longer format sound on their next two albums before disbanding in 1998 to little fanfare and surprise; it had seemed that ‘their time’ had passed. Fortunately, that time has returned.

The first announcement that Polvo would reunite to play live developed around the All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival in September 2008. As a warm-up for that event, Polvo played the Bowery Ballroom to a sold-out house on Saturday night.

The band led the crowd on a semi-chronological tour of many of the signature sounds that define Polvo during an hour plus set. Although material from their first album was mysteriously absent, the band sampled heavily from Today’s Active Lifestyles. At one point, guitarist Dave Brylawski stated “We didn’t invent math rock. I don’t even think we are a math rock band. This is basic algebra.” Moments after that statement, the band ripped into an 8-10 minute song that displayed the classic signatures of the math rock aesthetic. The dichotomy that is Polvo on display.

The performance on Saturday established that the 10 years that have passed have had little impact on the cohesion of the unit that is Polvo. Case in point: at one moment during the show, Ash Bowie’s amp head failed, mid song. Mr. Brylawski encouraged the band to continue through on a proficient adhoc improvisational session, to the crowd’s delight, until the defective device was replaced. Once Bowie was back online, the song continued to its rightful conclusion. Absolutely solid. Clearly, these guys have spent time over the past weeks or months re-developing a rapport. Two new songs performed on Saturday night were likely a product of this developmental routine.

Moreover, the band was extremely tight, literally not missing a beat. The syncopated rhythms established by drummer Brian Quast and bassist Steve Popson developed a unity upon which the band thrived. Brylawski and Bowie played off of one another at times, and at others joined together in a reciprocal display of timing. To this end, Bowie has an innate, unique ability to become part of the tapestry, yet when it is time to stand out as the lead, he leads loud. The vacillation between member and lead was performed with the greatest of ease. Although ‘new’ to the band, Mr. Quast proved himself indispensable. His impressive performance was a highlight of the night’s show.

So, where does this leave the Polvo fan? New songs would seem to indicate a forthcoming new album… Until then, the live version is more than acceptable. The Pixies did it. The Police did it. Polvo have now done it. Who’s next? Pavement? The Smiths? Which band’s reunion will be marked as the next world ending event? If Saturday night’s show is any indicator, we will be the auspicious recipients of the good fortune of such gloom news.

Setlist:
“Thermal Treasure”
“Every Holy Shroud”
“Feather of Forgiveness”
“Bridesmaid Blues” into New Song
“Tragic Carpet Ride”
“Title Track”
“Mega” (new?)

*setlist culled from THIS photo; top photo from HERE.