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Polvo is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band formed in 1990 and is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, with Steve Popson playing bass guitar and Brian Quast playing drums. Eddie Watkins was the band's original drummer, but did not rejoin the band upon its reunion in 2008, after breaking up in 1998.

Key Information

Biography

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Formation and early releases

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Polvo formed in 1990 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. Their original lineup consisted of vocalists/guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and drummer Eddie Watkins. Bowie and Brylawski met in a Spanish class at the University of North Carolina and shared an affinity for music released by SST Records and local rock band Let's Active. Polvo's first recording was Can I Ride, a double 7-inch single released on the band's Kitchen Puff Records label in 1991. It was later re-released on CD as the Polvo EP on micro-indie Jesus Christ Records. The band then released two full-length albums, two EPs, and several 7-inches on Merge Records, a label run by Superchunk's Mac McCaughan, a high-school classmate of Brylawski and Popson. Merge Records issued their debut album, Cor-Crane Secret, in 1992. Today's Active Lifestyles followed in 1993, refining the group's approach, and it was followed in turn by two EPs, 1994's Celebrate the New Dark Age and 1995's This Eclipse. Today's Active Lifestyles was later reissued with an alternative cover without the lion image on it, because of a copyright lawsuit brought by the painter of the album.

The band also made an appearance in the 1994 cult road movie Half-Cocked.

Wider reach, dispersion and break-up

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Polvo toured North America numerous times, including outings with Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Pavement, Superchunk, Pipe, Sonic Youth, Unwound, Trumans Water, Sleepyhead, Trans Am, Dungbeetle, and Spatula. They toured twice in the UK and once in Europe, playing with Sebadoh, Babes in Toyland, and Superchunk.

Two albums were released after the band signed to the larger label Touch and Go Records. Their debut for the label was 1996's double-length Exploded Drawing, an eclectic, progressive effort that began to delve more explicitly into the guitarists' fascination with Asian music. Drummer Watkins amicably left the band afterward to pursue career and family interests. The rest of the group was beginning to drift apart as well. Brylawski moved to New York City to attend graduate school and also traveled to India, while Bowie had already relocated to Boston by 1994 to join then-girlfriend, Helium frontwoman Mary Timony. Polvo reconvened in 1997 to record Shapes with new drummer Brian Walsby. Both Touch and Go releases featured a darker, more progressive rock-oriented sound instead of their earlier, post-punk influenced style. Rumors that it would be their final album proved true when they amicably disbanded later that year, ending their farewell US tour with a two-night stand at hometown club Cat's Cradle.

Hiatus and other projects

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In 2000 Bowie released an album of home recordings on the Tiger Style label, called Yesterday...and Tomorrow's Shells under the name Libraness. He has since appeared with (current Polvo drummer Brian Quast's band) the BQ's and recorded and toured with Fan Modine. Bowie and Quast had also been working on tracks for a new Libraness album. Brylawski later played in the North Carolina–based Indonesian music-influenced band Idyll Swords, which released two albums on Communion, and currently is a member of Black Taj, as is Steve Popson. Watkins played drums in Dr. Powerful, as well as Durham outfit Stranger In The Valley of The Kings. In July 2020, Brylawski and Quast released their first album as Silver Scrolls.

Reunion

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Polvo reformed with new drummer Brian Quast, formerly of Vanilla Trainwreck and The Cherry Valence, after being invited to appear at All Tomorrow's Parties 2008 and the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain.[1] They also played several shows in the US, including the Northwest Music Fest in Portland.[2] A full live set from a benefit show at Cat's Cradle in August 2008, featuring new songs and reworked versions of old songs, was made available to purchase online.[3] In 2009, Polvo re-signed to Merge Records and released In Prism, their first studio album in 12 years.[4] The album's release coincided with Merge Records' 20th anniversary, and Polvo were featured at a concert to honor the label at the Cat's Cradle in July. In 2010 the band toured with Versus and released their sixth album, Siberia, in 2013.[5] The band did not undertake any promotion for its release. Polvo's last live performance to date was in 2011.

Original drummer Eddie Watkins died on April 24, 2016, at the age of forty-seven.[6]

In January 2020, the band announced vinyl reissues of their first 2 albums: Cor-Crane Secret and Today's Active Lifestyles. The release was accompanied by a bundling option from Merge Records, which includes both albums with "updated-but-familiar" artwork (including posters & other "ephemera from the band's archive") and an expanded edition of the band's self-titled early singles compilation on translucent green vinyl.[7][8] In February that year, Bowie & Popson sat down for an interview with Sadie Dupuis of the band Speedy Ortiz for Talkhouse. Reflecting on their legacy, Popson said:[9]

We were just a band, one of a thousand really good bands at that time, that played shows. We were stoked that people actually liked listening to what we did. It still is shocking to me 30 years later. The reissue, I have no idea if it’s 40-year-old people, 50-year-old people restocking this stuff. Or if there are 18-year-old people out there buying it. I’d be shocked if it’s the latter. But I just don’t know.

Musical style and influences

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Polvo is widely considered to be a standard bearer of a genre which came to be known as math rock,[10] although in interviews the band disavowed that categorization.[11] Their sound was defined by complex and dissonant guitar harmonies and driving rhythm, complementing cryptic, often surrealist lyrics. Their sound was so unpredictable and angular that the band's guitarists were often accused of failing to play with correctly tuned guitars. Polvo's songs and artwork frequently featured Asian/"exotic" themes and references. Additionally, their music had a pronounced Eastern feel that came not only from the Indian and Middle Eastern-style drones in their compositions, but actual Eastern instruments like the sitar as well.[10] Complex ranked both Bowie & Brylawski among indie rock's greatest guitarists, writing that the band "built most of their songs around shimmering chords and stream-of-consciousness riffs; whistling Polvo on the bus would make someone look pretty strange. They sound as if someone stared into space and imagined the strangest guitar-based song possible and then the band tackled – and generally nailed – the unenviable task of performing it."[12]

Across various interviews, the band members have cited Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine,[13][9] Zen Arcade by Hüsker Dü,[9] Meat Puppets, Sonic Youth,[14][15] early R.E.M.,[9] progressive rock bands such as Mahavishnu Orchestra,[16] and 60s psychedelic rock[10] as influences on their sound among others.

Legacy

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On being asked by Pitchfork about their influence on modern bands in 2008, Ash Bowie said:[17]

I don't really look for it, to be honest. I think we've had an influence, but there are other reasons why people are often found doing similar things at the same time in music, art, design, or whatever. As far as other people incorporating your style into their work, of course you'll have mixed feelings about it, but it's probably best to remain ambivalent about it. Anyway, I've always been more into music that's completely different from Polvo, so I don't run across it much.

A wide range of bands and musicians have cited Polvo as either an influence or a favorite. They include Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz,[9] Mary Timony,[18] Unwound,[19] John Dwyer of Oh Sees,[20][21] Bloc Party,[22] Mark Smith of Explosions in the Sky,[23] Ryan Adams,[24] St. Vincent,[25] Les Savy Fav,[26] Modest Mouse,[27] Dylan Baldi of Cloud Nothings,[28] Brand New,[29] Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio,[30] Johnny Jewel of Chromatics,[31] Dry Cleaning,[32] Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends,[33] Dogleg,[34] Om,[35] The Faint,[36] Lemuria,[37] A Minor Forest,[38] Melissa Auf der Maur,[39] Holy Sons,[40] The Joggers,[41] Leviathan,[42] Faith Coloccia of Mamiffer,[43] The Hair and Skin Trading Company,[44] Alex Edkins of METZ,[45] Pharaoh Overlord,[46] Sean Kirkpatrick of The Paper Chase,[47] Unwed Sailor,[48] Posse,[49] Sorry About Dresden,[50] Pitchblende,[51] Big Ups,[52] Such Gold,[53] Slow Mass,[54] Tift Merritt[55] and many others.

Members

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Timeline

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Discography

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References

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Sources

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Polvo

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Polvo is an American indie rock band formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1990, renowned for pioneering elements of the math rock genre through their innovative use of dissonant, intricately layered guitars. Fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, with bassist Steve Popson and drummer Brian Quast, the band crafted a distinctive sound blending noise rock, post-hardcore, and indie rock influences, marked by angular rhythms, off-kilter time signatures, and experimental song structures. Their early work, released primarily on Merge Records, captured the vibrant energy of the 1990s indie scene in Chapel Hill, a hub for eclectic alternative music. Polvo's discography includes seminal albums such as Today's Active Lifestyles (1993), Cor-Crane Secret (1992), and Exploded Drawing (1996), which established them as a cornerstone of the era's underground rock movement. After disbanding in 1998, the group reformed in 2008 and returned to , producing later works like In Prism (2009) and (2016) that refined their signature complexity while exploring broader sonic textures. Throughout their career, Polvo has maintained a for their boundary-pushing approach, influencing subsequent generations of indie and acts.

History

Formation and early career

Polvo formed in 1990 in , when guitarists and vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski joined forces with longtime friend and bassist Steve Popson and drummer Eddie Watkins. The quartet drew from the vibrant local scene, blending noisy guitar experimentation with intricate rhythms from the outset. The band wasted little time establishing a presence, playing their first live show at the Cat's Cradle venue later that year and building a reputation through consistent local performances at Chapel Hill and Carrboro spots. These early gigs, often alongside other regional acts, helped hone their angular, dissonant sound while generating buzz among indie tastemakers. Early demo recordings and self-released material further amplified their profile, culminating in a signing with the Chapel Hill-based in 1991. Prior to the deal, Polvo issued their debut output—a double 7-inch EP titled Can I Ride—in 1990, followed by the single "Vibracobra" b/w "The Drill" in 1991, both of which showcased their raw, math-inflected style. Under Merge, Polvo entered Duck Kee Studios in , from January 2–5, 1992, to record their full-length debut album, Cor-Crane Secret, with engineering by Jerry Kee and . Released that July, the album compiled reworked versions of their earlier singles alongside new tracks like "Kalgon" and "In the Hand, In the Sieve," capturing the band's frenetic energy in a 38-minute burst of interlocking guitars and off-kilter structures. Building on this momentum, Polvo returned to the studio in 1994 for the seven-song EP Celebrate the New Dark Age, again recorded by Jerry Kee and issued on Merge that May. The EP, featuring standouts such as "Fractured (Like Chandeliers)" and "Tragic Carpet Ride," refined their approach with psychedelic edges and dynamic shifts, solidifying their place in the early-1990s indie underground.

Breakthrough and breakup

Polvo's rising popularity in the mid-1990s was marked by their transition from the independent label to the more established , which facilitated wider exposure within the scene. Their second album, Today's Active Lifestyles, released in 1993 on Merge, showcased the band's evolving dual-guitar interplay and angular song structures, solidifying their reputation among underground listeners. By this period, Polvo had begun extensive touring across the , building a dedicated following through live performances that highlighted their unpredictable and energetic style. The 1996 double album Exploded Drawing, Polvo's debut on Touch and Go, represented a critical peak, expanding their sound into psychedelic-folk explorations and intensities while maintaining their signature complexity. Released on April 30, 1996, the achieved notable play on college radio, contributing to the band's growing cult status in the indie circuit without mainstream commercial breakthrough. This release underscored Polvo's prolific output during the decade, with four full-length that captured their role as a quintessential act of the era. Their final pre-breakup album, Shapes, arrived on September 23, 1997, via Touch and Go, delving into experimental territory with contorted classic-rock riffs and fractured-folk elements that anticipated later psychedelic trends. However, the recording process highlighted emerging lineup instability; original drummer Eddie Watkins had departed in 1996, with Brian Walsby contributing to select tracks like "Rock Post Rock" and "Everything in Flames!". These shifts, combined with the physical and creative toll of constant touring, contributed to internal strains within the band. Following the release of Shapes, Polvo embarked on a U.S. tour in 1997 and a subsequent European tour, after which they announced their disbandment in 1998. The decision came after nearly a decade of activity, as the core members—guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, alongside bassist Steve Popson—felt they had accomplished their initial ambitions and exceeded early goals like local performances and small releases. The breakup was amicable, with the band completing their final tour without major conflict, marking the end of their initial era.

Hiatus and side projects

Following the band's breakup in 1998 after the release of their fourth album Shapes, Polvo entered an extended hiatus that lasted until 2008, during which there was no official band activity or new releases under the Polvo name. The core members—guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and original drummer Eddie Watkins (who had departed in 1996)—pursued individual paths, often remaining connected to the Chapel Hill music scene while exploring non-musical careers. Although bootlegs of live performances from the 1990s circulated among fans, no archival Polvo material was formally issued during this period. Ash Bowie, who had briefly played bass in Mary Timony's band around the time of Polvo's dissolution, continued his musical output through solo work and collaborations. In 2000, he released the album Yesterday... And Tomorrow's Shells under the moniker Libraness on Tiger Style Records, a lo-fi project featuring fragmented, introspective recorded primarily on a four-track. Bowie also contributed to Brian Quast's band the BQs and recorded demos with Quast, as well as playing with Fan Modine, while living in Chapel Hill after a stint in . Dave Brylawski relocated to New York, where he trained as a clinical social worker and temporarily set aside guitar playing, experimenting instead with an . He formed the instrumental trio Idyll Swords around 2000 with guitarists Chuck Johnson and Grant Tennille, releasing two albums—Idyll Swords (2000) and II (2002)—that blended influences like Turkish and Indian folk with experimental guitar textures. Later, in 2002, Brylawski and Popson co-founded Black Taj, an alt-boogie quartet that evoked Polvo's angular style but with fuller arrangements; the band issued albums including Monoliths (2004) and (2006) on Hello Sir Records. Steve Popson, who had been friends with Brylawski since childhood, balanced music with a day job at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. His primary musical endeavor during the hiatus was Black Taj, where he provided driving bass lines that anchored the band's psych-tinged rock. Popson reflected on the break as a natural endpoint, noting in interviews that Polvo had achieved more than initially anticipated by the late 1990s. Eddie Watkins, having left Polvo in 1996 to prioritize family and career, maintained a lower profile in music but continued drumming in local Chapel Hill acts, including Strangers in the Valley of the Kings and Powerful. By the , he worked as a senior project manager for in Durham and married in 2015, raising children from a previous . Watkins passed away on April 24, 2016, at age 47 in Durham; bandmates and friends remembered him as a foundational influence on Polvo's early sound and a supportive figure in the local scene. In later interviews, members expressed mixed feelings about the hiatus. Bowie cited a desire to revisit and refine past material as a motivator for eventual reunion discussions, while Brylawski described the split as feeling complete after a decade of intense touring and recording, allowing space for personal growth. The period underscored Polvo's enduring ties to each other and the indie community, setting the stage for their return without unresolved tensions.

Reunion and recent activities

Polvo reunited in late 2007, announcing plans for live performances in 2008 without original drummer Eddie Watkins, who had departed the band in 1996; Brian Quast, formerly of Cherry Valence, joined on drums for the reformation. The band's first reunion shows took place at festivals including in May 2008, followed by additional U.S. dates that summer. Following the reunion, Polvo signed with and released their fifth studio album, In Prism, on September 8, 2009, recorded with producer Brian Paulson at Echo Mountain in , and Poplar House in Carrboro. The album marked a return to their intricate guitar-driven sound after a 12-year hiatus from full-length releases. In 2013, the band issued on September 30 via , self-recorded across studios in including Supraquanic, Dust Bunnies II, and Fidelitorium, with additional guitar contributions from . Unlike In Prism, received minimal promotion, reflecting the band's low-key approach to the project. Throughout the 2010s, Polvo maintained an active touring schedule, including U.S. headline dates and international appearances in Europe, such as at Primavera Sound in Barcelona in 2010 and support slots with acts like Versus and Atlas Sound. In February 2020, Merge Records reissued the band's first two albums, Cor-Crane Secret (1992) and Today's Active Lifestyles (1993), on vinyl with updated artwork and inner sleeves featuring rare ephemera. As of 2025, Polvo has released no new studio albums since Siberia. The band has engaged in occasional live performances, though activity has been sporadic. Following the death of founding drummer Eddie Watkins in April 2016, bandmates and the local music community organized tributes, including the EddieFest benefit show in 2017 to honor his contributions.

Musical style

Genre classifications and influences

Polvo's music is primarily classified within , , and genres, characterized by complex rhythms, atypical structures, and dissonant instrumentation that set them apart in the 1990s underground scene. Early releases like their 1992 debut Cor-Crane Secret incorporated elements, with raw, experimental energy that evolved over subsequent albums into more refined dissonant guitar interplay and angular riffing, as heard in Today's Active Lifestyles (1993) and Exploded Drawing (1996). This progression reflected a shift from chaotic noise-driven compositions to intricate, off-kilter patterns that emphasized sonic texture over conventional song forms. The band's sound drew significant influence from , particularly in the use of dual guitars to create interlocking, space-filling patterns and angular melodies, which guitarist Dave Brylawski has cited as a foundational element in Polvo's approach. Eastern and Middle Eastern musical motifs also informed their work, contributing to the algorhythmic time signatures and unconventional phrasing that defined their leanings. Emerging from Chapel Hill, North Carolina's vibrant indie scene in the early , Polvo shared the local ecosystem with bands like and , fostering a community focused on DIY ethos and experimental indie sounds amid the broader explosion. Rather than aligning with the dominant trends of the era, Polvo embraced non-linear, angular structures and dissonant harmonies, providing an alternative within the indie underground that prioritized technical interplay and surrealist lyrics over straightforward aggression. This avoidance of grunge's sludge-heavy aesthetics allowed them to carve a niche in math rock's abstract evolution, influencing later acts through their commitment to unpredictable, riff-heavy experimentation.

Guitar techniques and songwriting

Polvo's guitar work is defined by the dual attack of Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, who eschew traditional lead and roles in favor of interlocking riffs that create a dense, interwoven texture. Their approach emphasizes syncopated interplay, where each contributes melodic lines that collide and complement without a clear , often incorporating dissonance to generate tension amid underlying harmonies. This technique draws on unconventional tunings—Bowie frequently employs alternate setups for a droney, buzzing quality—allowing the pair to bend notes fluidly and explore angular phrasing that fills sonic space collaboratively. Effects such as and delay play a central role in amplifying this duality, with providing a wall of aggressive noise that underscores the riffs' intensity, while delay units and pedals like boosts add layers of echoing depth to sustain the chaotic yet melodic flow. For instance, in tracks like "Vibracobra," the guitars employ heavy to evoke a hurricane-like force, with delay enhancing the gliding, expansive quality of the notes. records these elements live to tape, capturing the raw interaction without extensive overdubs, which preserves the organic dissonance of their dual lines. Songwriting in Polvo emerges from a collaborative process rooted in jamming sessions, where Bowie and Brylawski introduce individual song ideas that evolve through group experimentation into complex structures featuring odd time signatures and abrupt shifts. These jams prioritize rhythmic interplay over premeditated composition, leading to songs with intricate builds that balance noise and melody, often incorporating dual vocals—Bowie's higher register contrasting Brylawski's—delivered over abstract, existential lyrics focused on cadence rather than narrative. Early efforts, such as those on Cor-Crane Secret (1992), reflect this raw jamming in their lo-fi chaos, while later works like In Prism (2009) and Siberia (2013) refine the approach with tighter grooves and more harnessed dissonance.

Reception and legacy

Critical acclaim

Polvo garnered significant praise from critics during the 1990s for their innovative contributions to , particularly through their complex guitar interplay and noisy experimentation that helped define the subgenre. awarded four stars to their 1993 album Today's Active Lifestyles, lauding its technical skill and dynamic energy as a cornerstone of the era's arty indie sound. Similarly, their 1996 release Exploded Drawing received four stars from , with reviewers highlighting its ambitious structures and fretboard explorations that pushed boundaries in and . retrospectively credited Polvo with shaping the mid-1990s American landscape through their signature guitar whirl and crunch. The band's early work also appeared in influential compilations, such as 's essential albums list for the genre. However, some contemporary reviews pointed to minor criticisms of the band's inaccessibility, noting that their emphasis on instrumental complexity and abrupt shifts could overwhelm listeners seeking more straightforward hooks. Trouser Press described their arrangements as causing "eustachian whiplash" due to fractured progressions, though it acknowledged their prog-like innovation akin to . Following their 2008 reunion, Polvo sustained critical favor with albums that refined their sound while preserving its adventurous core. rated In Prism (2009) an 8.1 out of 10, calling it not only a strong reunion effort but the most immediately satisfying record in their catalog, bridging 1990s with modern . echoed this with a 7.9 rating, praising its radiant production and focused songcraft. Their 2013 follow-up Siberia earned an 8.3 from , which commended the band's evolution into a more approachable yet confident outfit without sacrificing adventure, marking a triumph in their post-hiatus phase. In the , retrospective analyses often underscored Polvo's underrated status within history, positioning them as underground kings whose influence endured despite limited mainstream breakthrough. A buyer's guide in Louder Than War celebrated their distorted, captivating world as era-defining, while vinyl reissues of early albums prompted renewed acclaim for their resilient innovation.

Cultural impact and influence

Polvo emerged as a pioneering force in during the 1990s, blending intricate rhythms, dissonant guitar layers, and experimental noise elements that expanded the boundaries of . Their dual-guitar attack, employing unconventional tunings and angular riffs, set a template for the genre's emphasis on complexity and over straightforward song structures. This approach not only defined Polvo's sound but also influenced a wave of subsequent artists seeking to push guitar-based music into more abstract territories. The band's innovations resonated widely, with groups like collaborating on the same roster to co-establish math rock's core aesthetics in the decade. Similarly, drew from the indie movement Polvo helped cultivate, incorporating noisy, math-inflected experimentation into their own discography. In the 2000s and beyond, acts such as Battles echoed Polvo's rhythmic intricacy and leanings, while bands like share similarities in unpredictable angularity with modern . These connections underscore Polvo's role in bridging 1990s underground scenes with contemporary indie evolutions. Integral to the 1990s Chapel Hill music scene, Polvo bolstered ' stature through early releases like Today's Active Lifestyles (1993), which exemplified the label's commitment to innovative indie sounds amid a burgeoning Southern alternative ecosystem. Archival reissues of their early catalog by Merge in , including limited-edition vinyl editions of Cor-Crane Secret (1992) and Today's Active Lifestyles, along with later works like Exploded Drawing (originally 1996 on Touch and Go), have revitalized their catalog, introducing the band's work to younger audiences and affirming their archival significance. The passing of founding drummer Eddie Watkins in April 2016 prompted widespread tributes from the community, with bandmates, peers, and fans memorializing his powerful, distinctive style that anchored Polvo's early recordings. Events like EddieFest, a 2017 in Chapel Hill, honored Watkins while raising funds for , reflecting the deep personal and musical bonds within the scene he helped shape. Polvo's legacy endures in scholarly and cultural narratives, such as the 2024 A Really Strange and Wonderful Time: The Chapel Hill Music Scene, which positions them as key architects of the era's creative ferment alongside Merge labelmates like . Additionally, their presence in media, including the 1994 Half-Cocked—which showcases Polvo performing amid a fictional band road trip—and a 2023 PBS We Have Signal episode dedicated to their career, has cemented their place in alternative music history. As of 2025, Polvo maintains a without new studio releases since 2013.

Band members

Core lineup

The core lineup of Polvo has consistently revolved around guitarists and vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and a rotating position, forming the foundation of the band's sound since its inception in 1990. Ash Bowie, who joined at the band's formation, serves as guitarist and vocalist, and has been a primary songwriter, contributing significantly to Polvo's intricate compositions and lyrical themes throughout their career. Dave Brylawski, a co-founder alongside Popson, also handles guitar and vocals; his interplay with Bowie established the band's signature dual-guitar approach, characterized by dissonant, interlocking riffs and experimental textures that defined their style. Steve Popson has provided the bass throughout Polvo's active periods, from the original 1990–1998 run to the band's reunion in 2008, offering a steady rhythmic anchor that complemented the guitarists' complexity. The drumming role saw Eddie Watkins as the original member from 1990 to 1996, whose dynamic playing supported the band's early energetic recordings before his departure. Upon reunion, Brian Quast took over on drums in 2008 and has remained with the band since, making him the longest-serving drummer as of 2025 and bringing a renewed propulsion to their live performances and later albums. Polvo has maintained no other permanent members beyond this core group, with guest appearances on recordings or tours being rare and typically limited to supplementary roles rather than integral contributions.

Timeline of changes

Polvo maintained its original lineup of guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and drummer Eddie Watkins from the band's formation in 1990 until Watkins' departure in 1996, during which time they released three albums and toured extensively. After Watkins left, the band briefly worked with drummer Brian Walsby, recording their final pre-hiatus album Shapes in 1997 before disbanding in 1998. From 1998 to 2008, Polvo was inactive as a group, with members pursuing individual projects and other musical endeavors outside the band. The band reunited in 2008 for festival appearances, incorporating drummer Brian Quast—formerly of Vanilla Trainwreck and The Cherry Valence—in place of Watkins, who did not rejoin; this lineup recorded the albums In Prism (2009) and Siberia (2013) and continued performing through 2016. Eddie Watkins passed away on April 24, 2016, at the age of 47, though he was no longer an active member. Since 2016, Quast has remained the permanent , with no further lineup changes reported as of November 2025; the core trio of Bowie, Brylawski, and Popson has stayed consistent alongside him.

Discography

Studio albums

Polvo's debut studio album, Cor-Crane Secret, was released on July 13, 1992, by . The 10-track record, featuring songs like "Vibracobra," "Kalgon," and "Can I Ride," established the band's raw indie sound with its noisy, angular guitar work and interwoven dual vocals from Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Recorded in a lo-fi style, it captured Polvo's early influences amid the Chapel Hill indie scene. The band's sophomore effort, Today's Active Lifestyles, followed on April 19, 1993, also via . Comprising 11 tracks, including the breakthrough single "Thermal Treasure" alongside "Lazy Comet" and "Stinger (Five Wigs)," the album refined their chaotic energy into more structured compositions, earning praise for its inventive songcraft and earning a spot as a cornerstone of 1990s . In 1996, Polvo shifted to for Exploded Drawing, a double LP with 11 tracks such as "Fast Canoe," "Feather of Forgiveness," and "Street Knowledge." The album ventured into more experimental territory, blending psychedelic elements, abrupt tempo shifts, and extended jams that pushed the boundaries of their guitar-driven sound. Shapes, released on September 23, 1997, marked Polvo's final studio album before their initial hiatus, again on . This 11-track release, highlighted by "Enemy Insects," "The Golden Ladder," and "Twenty White Tents," featured polished production by and a mix of melodic hooks with the band's signature dissonance, serving as a capstone to their output. After reuniting, Polvo returned with In Prism on September 8, 2009, through Merge Records. The 10-track album, including "Right the Relation," "D.C. Trails," and "Lucia," reflected a matured perspective with cleaner arrangements and thematic depth, signaling their successful comeback while retaining core sonic trademarks. Their most recent original studio album, Siberia, arrived on September 30, 2013, via Merge Records, featuring 10 tracks like "Total Immersion," "Blues Is Loss," and "The Water Wheel." Produced with contributions from Mitch Easter, it explored introspective lyrics and atmospheric textures, closing out Polvo's recorded catalog to date. In February 2020, Merge Records reissued Cor-Crane Secret and Today's Active Lifestyles on vinyl, featuring updated artwork and digital download options to mark the band's enduring influence.

Extended plays and singles

Polvo released a limited number of extended plays and singles throughout their career, primarily on independent labels like and Touch and Go, with many early vinyl editions now considered rare collectibles due to small pressings. Their non-album releases often featured experimental tracks that complemented the band's style, and several have been digitally reissued since 2010 as part of broader catalog revivals on platforms like and . In 2022, reissued early material on the compilation LP Polvo, including all tracks from the Can I Ride EP and "Vibracobra" single (9 tracks total).

Extended Plays

The band's debut EP, Can I Ride, was issued as a double 7-inch vinyl in 1991 on Kitchen Puff Records, containing four tracks: "Can I Ride," "Leaf," "Silver Lining," and "Knuckleduster." This release showcased Polvo's early noisy sound and was later compiled with other early material on the 1996 Polvo and the 2022 vinyl on . Celebrate the New Dark Age, released on May 2, 1994, via as a EP and limited 3×7-inch , consists of seven tracks: "Fractured (Like Chandeliers)," "City Spirit," "Tragic Carpet Ride," "Solitary Set," "Every Holy Shroud," "Old Lystra," and "Virtual Cold." The EP highlighted the band's intricate guitar work and was praised for its angular compositions, with the vinyl limited to 1,000 numbered copies, contributing to its rarity. Digital versions became available post-2010 through Merge's efforts.

Singles

Polvo's singles output was sparse, focusing on 7-inch vinyl formats with limited runs, often serving as previews for upcoming albums. Early releases like the 1991 "Vibracobra" b/w "The Drill" on Rockville Records (later included in compilations) exemplified their raw, dissonant style and are now highly sought after by collectors due to their scarcity. The band's 2011 single "Heavy Detour" b/w "Anchoress" on Merge Records marked their return after a hiatus, with both tracks previewing the 2013 album Siberia. Released in 7-inch and digital formats, it was mixed by Mitch Easter and limited to 1,000 copies on vinyl. Post-2010 digital availability has made these tracks more accessible. In 2020, Merge digitally reissued "The Chameleon / Tiara Fetish" (originally from the 1993 "Tilebreaker" single b-sides).

Compilation Appearances

Polvo frequently appeared on Merge Records samplers during the 1990s, contributing tracks that bridged their EPs and albums. On the 1994 compilation Where's the Beef? The Merge Records Compilation, they covered "Mexican Radio" (originally by Wall of Voodoo), a noisy reinterpretation fitting their style. "Thermal Treasure" featured on the 2004 anniversary collection XX Merge, offering a live-like rendition of the song from Today's Active Lifestyles. Additional appearances include "Watch the Nail" on the 1993 Merge sampler Rows of Teeth, highlighting their role in the label's indie rock ecosystem. These tracks, often exclusive or alternate versions, have been reissued digitally since 2010. The 2013 album Siberia included bonus material on its digital and expanded editions, such as an extended version of "Street Knowledge" (from the 1996 compilation Polvo) and additional mixes, providing supplementary content for fans beyond the standard 10-track LP. These bonuses were part of Merge's post-2010 digital strategy to enhance accessibility.

References

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  71. https://polvonc.bandcamp.com/album/celebrate-the-new-dark-age
  72. https://www.discogs.com/master/60934-Polvo-Celebrate-The-New-Dark-Age
  73. https://www.discogs.com/release/11932769-Polvo-Heavy-Detour
  74. https://polvonc.bandcamp.com/album/the-chameleon-tiara-fetish
  75. https://mergerecords.bandcamp.com/album/rows-of-teeth
  76. https://music.apple.com/us/album/siberia-bonus-track-version/678474222
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