Poor Old Lu
OriginVashon Island, Washington, US
GenresAlternative, Christian rock, pop punk[1]
Years active1990–2002, 2011, 2013, 2014
LabelsAlarma, KMG, Tooth & Nail
Past members
Websitewww.pooroldlu.com

Poor Old Lu was a pioneering Christian alternative rock band based in the American Northwest. The band experimented with a variety of sounds and genres, particularly grunge, funk and psychedelic rock. The band consisted of Scott Hunter (vocals), Jesse Sprinkle (drums), Aaron Sprinkle (guitar), and Nick Barber (bass). Hunter was the lyricist who wrote on philosophical, metaphorical, and spiritually oriented topics. Common themes in the lyrics include introspective struggles with identity and spirituality, struggles with a superficial, secular, and modern society, and hope for life abundant. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music calls the band "One of the most accomplished and creative Christian bands of the '90s".[2]

The name refers to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, in which Lucy ('Lu'), returns from Narnia and tells her brother, Peter. Peter doesn't believe her story, however, and responds patronizingly, "Poor old Lu, hiding and nobody noticed."[3]

History

The band began as "BellBangVilla", recording an album, 'In Love with the Greenery,' in 1990.[4] The band changed its name to Poor Old Lu[4] and recorded a three-song demo tape in 1991.[5] In 1992 they recorded their first full-length album, Star-Studded-Super-Step, reworking some of the songs from 'In Love with the Greenery' for the album.[2][4] Originally released on cassette, the album was re-released on CD by Alarma Records in 1995.[2]

In 1993[5] they released Mindsize, produced by Terry Taylor and Derri Daugherty.[2] It turned out to be their breakthrough.[2] The following summer, the band recruited engineer/producer John Goodmanson, and Sin was recorded and released in 1994.[6] In 1995 they released Straight Six,[5] an EP which featured Jeremy Enigk of Sunny Day Real Estate on one track. In 1996 they released A Picture of the Eighth Wonder.[5]

In late 1996 the band broke up, playing their farewell concert in Seattle, Washington in November 1996.[7] The concert was recorded and released in 1998 as In Their Final Performance.[5]

In 2002 the band reunited and recorded The Waiting Room for Tooth and Nail Records. In support of this release the band reunited for a number of shows in 2002, playing at select venues in Seattle as well as a few select Christian music festivals that included Cornerstone,[2] TomFest and Purple Door.[8]

After Poor Old Lu

After the group's initial break-up, band members moved on to independent projects. In 1997 Nick Barber joined with Aaron Sprinkle in the group Rose Blossom Punch. Nick Barber played in the bands Meekin Pop and Blue Collar Love. By the time Rose Blossom Punch split up, Aaron Sprinkle had started a solo career,.[2] He has released seven albums since 1999. In 2005 Aaron Sprinkle formed the band Fair with Joey Sanchez, Nick Barber and Erik Newbill.

Jesse Sprinkle moved to New York. He ran the recording studio the Illuminata in Dansville, New York until early 2006, when the studio closed. He opened a new studio, Bluebrick Recordings, in 2007. He has played drums in a number of bands, including Morella's Forest, Demon Hunter and Dead Poetic. He has also recorded a number of solo albums.

In 2006 Hunter started a new band, This Diminishing West, which broke up after releasing an EP online.[9]

Post-2002 reunions

Poor Old Lu reunited in 2011 for an acoustic house show.[10]

In 2013 the group gathered to record one song, "The Great Unwound".[11] It was written and released in support of "Paradise Uganda", a ministry of Jesse Sprinkle. No statements about future releases were made.

In 2014 the group recorded a Christmas song with Vekora: "The Brightest Star".[12]

Members

  • Scott Hunter – lead vocals, lyrics
  • Jesse Sprinkle – drums, percussion, vocals
  • Aaron Sprinkle – guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Nick Barber – bass guitar, vocals

Discography

  • In Love with the Greenery [as BellBangVilla] (1990) cassette only
  • Three Song Demo (1991) cassette only
  • Star-Studded-Super-Step (1992) cassette only
  • Mindsize (1993, Alarma Records, Review: Jesus Freak Hideout[3])
  • Split 7-inch with Mortal (1993, Intense Records)
  • Sin (1994, Alarma Records, Reviews: Jesus Freak Hideout,[13] Cross Rhythms[6])
  • Sin LP w/ bonus track (1994, Alarma Records)
  • Straight Six (1995, Alarma Records, Review: Cross Rhythms[14])
  • Star-Studded-Super-Step (1995, independent, Reviews: The Phantom Tollbooth[15])
  • Sit and Stare VHS (1995, Alarma Records)
  • A Picture of the Eighth Wonder (1996, Alarma Records, Reviews: Jesus Freak Hideout,[16] Cross Rhythms[7])
  • In Their Final Performance (1998, KMG Records, Reviews: HM Magazine[17])
  • Chrono [1993-1998] (1998, KMG Records, Reviews: The Phantom Tollbooth,[18] HM Magazine[19])
  • Star-Studded-Super-Step CD re-release (1998, KMG Records)
  • Mindsize/Sin [minus "Peapod", "Sickly", and "Come to Me"] ( 2000, KMG Records - "Classic Archives")
  • Poor Old Lu & Serene (promo 2002, Tooth and Nail Records)
  • The Waiting Room (2002, Tooth and Nail Records)
  • "The Great Unwound" (song, 2013)

Compilation appearances

  • Browbeat: Unplugged Alternative – "Drenched Decent" (1995, Alarma Records)
  • CHR Sampler 95 - Spring Tunes – "Ring True" (promo 1995, Frontline Records)
  • Persuading You Near – "Thoughtless (Concept Version)" (1996, Working Man Records)
  • Noises from the Top of the Alarma Hotel – "Receive", "Chance for the Chancers" (promo 1996, Alarma Records)
  • Sparkler Vol. 1 – "It's Simple to Me" (1997, Spark Recordings)
  • Happy Christmas Vol. 3 – "What Child Is This?" (2001, BEC Recordings)
  • Here & Now – "Revolve" (2003, BEC Recordings)

References

  1. ↑ Torreano, Bradley. "Poor Old Lu". AllMusic. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Poor Old Lu". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 721–722. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  3. 1 2 Myatt, Wayne. "Poor Old Lu Mindsize". Jesus Freak Hideout.
  4. 1 2 3 "Poor Old Lu - Cannon-Fire Orange songtekst". Songteksten.nl.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Poor Old Lu discography at Discogs
  6. 1 2 Cummings, Tony (December 1995). "Poor Old Lu - Sin". Cross Rhythms. No. 30.
  7. 1 2 Roberts, Tim (June 1997). "Poor Old Lu - A Picture Of The Eighth Wonder". Cross Rhythms. No. 40.
  8. ↑ MacIntosh, Chris (January 11, 2003). "The Waiting Room".
  9. ↑ Parish, Alan (March 19, 2008). "This Diminishing West". Turn Off the Radio.
  10. ↑ "poor old lu reunion acoustic setting 2011". July 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2014 – via YouTube.
  11. ↑ "New Poor Old Lu Recording?". Indie Vision Music. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  12. ↑ "The Brightest Star". Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Poor Old Lu, "Sin" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ Bate, Peter (June 1996). "Poor Old Lu - Straight Six". Cross Rhythms. No. 33.
  15. ↑ "Poor Old Lu review by The Phantom Tollbooth". tollbooth.org. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Poor Old Lu, "A Picture Of The Eighth Wonder" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  17. ↑ McGovern, Brian Vincent (November–December 1998). "POOR OLD LU In Their Final Performance". HM Magazine. No. 74. ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on February 22, 2001.
  18. ↑ "A Review by The Phantom Tollbooth". tollbooth.org. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  19. ↑ McGovern, Brian Vincent (March–April 1999). "Album Reviews: POOR OLD LU chrono (1993–1998)". HM Magazine. No. 76. ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on July 14, 2001.

Further reading

  • "Poor Old Lu". 7ball. No. 6. May–June 1996.
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