tHE POLES: Smart bet, you bet

In an email to Xpress, Asheville rockers tHE POLES write, “[We] have taken time to re-group, re-form and re-actualize. Stripped down to an elemental power trio consisting of the three original members hitting The Lab Friday July 16. Gifts to acknowledge the fans, new EP, stock options, new sounds. Supporting acts include local post-punkers Brindle (who rock smarter not harder), Athens GA’s Manray (experimental rock) … New songs will be available for download via Myspace for a limited time. Doors at 10. Smart bet you bet.”

Formed in 2004, tHE POLES (according to their bio), “quickly galvanized a steady regional following with a focused and defined sound. Elements of multiple genres merge and detach, a volatile crock-pot of emotion, invention, and restraint. Compared to bands as diverse as Pink Floyd and The Jesus Lizard they are a band of both breadth and depth, a rarity in this day of pre-packaged rock clichés.”

In 2009, the group added former Archers of Loaf bassist Matt Gentling for the recording of full-length album Twelve Winds. Double Plus Good Records writes, “Since it’s release, Matt Gentling, who played bass on Twelve Winds has since left the band and they’ve scaled down to a 3 piece with founding drummer, Jon McDuffie, rejoining the band after a two year absence.” tHE POLES include front man Todd Lemiesz and bassist Bruce Rogers.

The band has two upcoming shows slated for the LAB, the first is on Friday, July 16. 9:30 p.m. doors/10 p.m. show, $5. Experimental rockers Manray from Athens, Georgia and local punk band Brindle (pictured, above) opens.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.