0 Polvo, Bronze Fawn @ The Croc (10-6-09)

October 6th, 2009 - Polvo, Bronze Fawn

Last Tuesday reunited 90’s indie “math rock” wizards Polvo were in Seattle as part of a tour in support of their first release since 1997’s swan song “Shapes”. The new record entitled “In Prism” is easily one of my favorite records of 2009. It's a guitar driven, stony opus of a record, and in my opinion much better than anything the band released in the 90’s. Polvo reunited in 2007 and has re-signed with Merge Records, which was their first label in 1992. The current lineup consists of original guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, and bassist Steve Popson. Drummer Brian Quast was brought in to hit the skins during their big 2007 reunion gig at All Tomorrow's Parties music festival and remained Polvo’s full time skinsman, replacing original drummer Eddie Watkins.

The band was having some major technical difficulties getting set up, and it took almost an hour before the first notes were played after local opener Bronze Fawn left the stage. This did not play in my favor because it was already hitting 11:30, Polvo still wasn’t ready, and I had to be sharp at work in the morning. It was a little frustrating standing around, while both Ash and Dave in turn looked annoyed by whatever was going wrong. Eventually Ash’s amp head was replaced and the show was a go.

All was well and the band came out but the lights didn’t go down, the stage remained fully light. You’d think a band that creates such interesting and complex guitar soundscapes would want a little ambiance to go along with their music, I guess not? The new songs like “Right the Relation” and old favorites like “Vibracobra”, “Solitary Set”, and “Fast Canoe” sounded great for the most part. Another jarring thing about my first Polvo experience aside from the waiting and the absence of mood lighting came about a third of the way into their hour long set. Guitarist Dave Brylawski called a brief huddle right in front of where Ash Bowie was set up and where I was standing to tell the band they needed to switch up the set list, and in so many words “step it up a notch”. I don’t think I have ever witnessed a band not completely jelling before, or at least not to the point where they were wearing it on their sleeves. It was a distracting enough moment to where I threw in the towel and high tailed it out of their in lieu of a little extra sleep time.

Polvo’s show at the Croc wasn’t awesome due to the multiple distractions, though they sounded great. It’s possible they may have had an off night, but it looked to me like they have some kinks to work out in their live show. I’m still a fan of the band and especially the gem of record they released this year. It’s not often that a reunion of this nature results in such strong material, maybe the fact that Ash, Dave, and Steve are a little older, hopefully wiser, and potentially better song writers is a factor.

One positive note from last Tuesday was my discovery of local band Bronze Fawn. Bronze Fawn is a three piece post-rock outfit that creates vast ear shattering instrumental soundscapes much to the tune of bands like Mono, Sleepy Eyes of Death, and Explosions in the Sky. Their music is at time lush, at time sparse, at times psychedelic, and at times extremely heavy. I was impressed by drummer Jim Acquavella, whose unconventional drumming style doesn’t take away from his chops. The band was good and for my money blew Polvo off the stage that evening. Check out my slideshow and videos of both Polvo and Bronze Fawn. Cheers!