Polvo are a critically acclaimed and widely influential rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that were active during the 1990 before reforming recently for a benefit for WKNC at the Pour Haus. The band was fronted by vocalists-guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Bowie later played in the band Helium with Mary Timony and also started a solo project under the name Libraness. Brylawski also played in the band Idyll Swords and currently is a member of The Black Taj. Eddie Watkins currently plays drums in Dr. Powerful. Polvo are considered one of the forebears of the genre known as math rock. Their sound was defined by complex and dissonant guitar harmonies and driving rhythm.
Jimi Hendrix / If 6 was 9
It’s probably not in my Top Ten Hendrix songs, but I have to say something about Mitch Mitchell, and this is an indicative song of why he was probably the best. About three minutes into the song, Mitch takes over the ‘lead’ in the sparse part, just doing his jazzy-heavy-free thing in the spaces: loose, yet totally propelling it. No one else was doing that in rock, as far as I know, at least, in that way. I got to see him on stage two weeks before he died at the Hendrix tribute show in New York and can’t believe, just like that, he’s gone. Only Billy Cox remains from the whole Experience-Band of Gypsies ‘axis’.
{ 4 comments }
