Poor Old Lu are/were one of the most celebrated alternative rock bands in the Christian scene. They hit at the height of the Christian indie scene in the 1990s, and formed a core unit of alternative rock bands that included The Prayer Chain, Plankeye, Starflyer 59 and a handful of others. Hailing from the Seattle area, the band also had close ties with others in the scene like Pedro the Lion, Damien Jurado, Blenderhead, and even Sunny Day Real Estate (vocalist Jeremy Enigk provided guest vocals on one POL track).
Band members have been involved in dozens of other projects–so many it’s hard to name them without missing some. We won’t try to be exhaustive, but here is a sampling: Rose Blossom Punch, The World Inside, Jesse Sprinkle (solo), Aaron Sprinkle (solo), Dinner Mint, Fair, Dead Poetic, Demon Hunter, Blank Books, Serene, The Wrong Mind, Vekora, and . . . well, you get the picture.
What was particularly interesting was following the evolution of the band from a funky/jangly alternative sound early on into a much moodier, refined indie rock powerhouse fully realized on their magnum opus Picture of the Eighth Wonder. Here’s to a band who truly deserves to be remembered! All of their stuff is worthy of inclusion, but I’ve chosen one of their more well-known tracks from their debut album.
Fun fact: POL’s demo found its way into Terry Scott Taylor’s hands via Randy Stonehill who was given it by a member’s father- so the story goes…
Wow, what a journey! I wonder if anyone can confirm this?
I had some correspondence with Jesse Sprinkle around the same time I saw Randy Stonehill during a local tour stop some years back. They both (separately) confirmed this. I just can’t remember whose parent it was who handed the demo over.. I hope this helps.
Okay, awesome! Thanks.