Poor Old Lu

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Poor Old Lu


Img_capt = (L-R) Nick Barber, Scott Hunter, Jesse Sprinkle, Aaron Sprinkle
Background = group_or_band
Origin =
Genre = Alternative
Christian rock
Years_active = 1990-1996, 2002
Label = Alarma Records
KMG Records
Tooth & Nail Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.pooroldlu.com Official website]
Current_members =
Past_members = Scott Hunter
Jesse Sprinkle
Aaron Sprinkle
Nick Barber

Poor Old Lu was a pioneering alternative Christian 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's with the vocals, Jesse Sprinkle as the drummer for the band and Scott 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" calles the band "One of the most accomplished and creative Christian bands of the '90s".cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=Peabody, Massachusetts |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |chapter=Poor Old Lu |pages=721-722]

The name refers to a segment in "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 responded patronizingly, "Poor old Lu, hiding and nobody noticed."cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Mindsize.asp |title=Poor Old Lu "Mindsize" |last=Myatt |first=Wayne |publisher="Jesus Freak Hideout"]

While Poor Old Lu developed an extremely loyal following, it did not achieve wide popularity in Christian circles, due in part to its edgy sound and challenging lyrical content. The band addressed hypocritical televangelists, drug addiction, sexual guilt, domestic unrest and spiritual rebelliousness in its lyrics, topics generally considered taboo in Christian music.

History

While sophomores in high school, Nick, Aaron, and Scott started a band they called "Bellbangvilla," composed an album named 'In Love with the Greenery,' and performed shows around the Seattle, WA area. A few months later, Jesse joined the group, and the band changed its name to Poor Old Lu, and recorded its first album under the new band name, entitled "Three Song Demo".

In the spring of '92, they recorded their first full-length release, "Star-Studded-Super-Step" in three days in an empty classroom in their church. After graduation, the band played more shows to even larger audiences and was widely praised for being so young, so original, and having a good message.

Aaron and Jesse's father gave the demo to Randy Stonehill, who in turn passed it on to Terry Taylor, who in turn approached Frontline/Alarma Records. In the summer in 1993, the band recorded its first professionally produced album, "Mindsize". This album, produced by Terry Taylor and Derri Daugherty, turned out to be their breakthrough.

The following summer, the band recruited engineer/producer John Goodmanson to create a more raw sound and aggressive edge, and "Sin" was recorded and released with rave reviews.

In late spring of 1995, Poor Old Lu recorded "Straight Six", an EP with a raw and unique sound (which featured Jeremy Enigk of Sunny Day Real Estate on one track). In early spring of '96, Poor Old Lu recorded "A Picture of the Eighth Wonder", which broke new ground with a darker sound. In late 1996 decided to call it quits , playing their farewell concert in Seattle, Washington in November 1996. This concert was recorded and eventually released as a live disc 2 years later in 1998 under the title "In Their Final Performance".

In 2002 the band reunited and recorded their last album, "The Waiting Room" for Tooth and Nail Records. In lue of this release the band reunited for a number of shows in 2002, playing at select venues in their hometown of Seattle, WA as well as a few select Christian music festivals that included Cornerstone, TomFest and Purple Door.cite web |last=MacIntosh |first=Chris |url=http://www.tollbooth.org/2003/reviews/pol.html |title="The Waiting Room" |date=2003-01-11] There are no current plans for the band to reunite again.

Life After Poor Old Lu

After the group's initial break-up, band members moved on to independent projects. In 1997 Nick Barber joined up with Aaron Sprinkle in the group Rose Blossom Punch. The short-lived group also featured Paul Mumaw and Terry Coggins. Nick Barber also played in the bands Meekin Pop and Blue Collar Love. By the time Rose Blossom Punch split up, Aaron Sprinkle had gone onto to start his solo career, in which he would release 6 total albums from 1999 to 2004.

In 2005 Aaron Sprinkle formed the band Fair with Joey Sanchez, Nick Barber and Erik Newbill. Fair released its debut album, "The Best Worst-Case Scenario", on Tooth and Nail Records in June 2006. Aaron produces records out of Compound Recording Studios in Seattle, WA. See [http://www.aaronsprinkle.net http://www.aaronsprinkle.net] for a complete discography of the records he has recorded and produced.

Brother Jesse Sprinkle moved to New York and has released numerous albums over the years under different name monikers such as Sunsites and the World Inside. He ran the recording studio the Illuminata in Dansville, New York until early 2006, when the studio closed. Jesse continues to play in a variety of bands including Morella's Forest, Serene, Demon Hunter, and Dead Poetic; as well as continue to record his own music.

In a December 2006 update on the Poor Old Lu website ( [http://www.pooroldlu.com] ) it was announced that former lead vocalist Scott Hunter has started a new band called This Diminishing West. While the band promised a debut disc sometime in early 2007, the band never seemed to have gotten off the ground. On the band's website Scott informed fans in a September 2007 update that the group had decided to call it quits.cite web |last=Hunter |first=Scott |url=http://www.thisdiminishingwest.com/ |title="External website: This Diminishing West" |date=2007-09-05]

Members

*Scott Hunter: Lead Vocals, Lyrics
*Jesse Sprinkle: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*Aaron Sprinkle: Guitar, Keys, Vocals
*Nick Barber: Bass, 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: [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Mindsize.asp Jesus Freak Hideout] )
*"Split 7" with Mortal" (1993, Intense Records)
*"Sin" (1994, Alarma Records, Reviews: [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Sin.asp Jesus Freak Hideout] , " [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Poor_Old_Lu/Sin/2138/ Cross Rhythms] "cite journal |last=Cummings |first=Tony |year=1995 |month=December |title=Poor Old Lu - "Sin" |journal=Cross Rhythms |issue=30 |pages= |accessdate=] )
*"Sin LP" w/ bonus track (1994, Alarma Records)
*"Straight Six" (1995, Alarma Records, Review: " [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Poor_Old_Lu/Straight_Six/2493/ Cross Rhythms] "cite journal |last=Bate |first=Peter |year=1996 |month=June |title=Poor Old Lu - "Straight Six" |journal=Cross Rhythms |issue=33 |pages= |accessdate=] )
*"Star-Studded-Super-Step" (1995, independent, Reviews: [http://www.tollbooth.org/mini/poorolu.html The Phantom Tollbooth] )
*"Sit and Stare VHS" (1995, Alarma Records)
*"A Picture of the Eighth Wonder" (1996, Alarma Records, Reviews: [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/APictureOfTheEighthWonder.asp Jesus Freak Hideout] , " [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Poor_Old_Lu/A_Picture_Of_The_Eighth_Wonder/2136/ Cross Rhythms] "cite journal |last=Roberts |first=Tim |year=1997 |month=June |title=Poor Old Lu - "A Picture Of The Eighth Wonder" |journal=Cross Rhythms |issue=40 |pages= |accessdate=] )
*"In Their Final Performance" (1998, KMG Records, Reviews: " [http://web.archive.org/web/20010222184244/www.hmmagazine.com/issue74/74Albums.htm HM Magazine] "cite journal |last=McGovern |first=Brian Vincent |year=1998 |month=November/December |title=POOR OLD LU "In Their Final Performance" |journal=HM Magazine |id=ISSN|1066-6923 |issue=74 |pages= |accessdate=] )
*"Chrono [1993-1998] " (1998, KMG Records, Reviews: [http://www.tollbooth.org/review99/chrono.html The Phantom Tollbooth] , " [http://web.archive.org/web/20010714054509/www.hmmagazine.com/issue76/76Albums.htm HM Magazine] "cite journal |last=McGovern |first=Brian Vincent |year=1999 |month=March/April |title=Album Reviews: POOR OLD LU "chrono (1993–1998)" |journal=HM Magazine |id=ISSN|1066-6923 |issue=76 |pages= |accessdate=] )
*"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)Note: An insert in A Picture of the Eighth Wonder lists for sale a box set of three 2-sided, limited edition 7" vinyl records with Poor Old Lu on one side of one of the records b/w Chaos is the Poetry. Verification of the existence of such a record has proved difficult.

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)

Popular songs

A few of Poor old Lu's more notable songs include:
* [http://www.pooroldlu.com/audio/Poor%20Old%20Lu%20-%20Chance%20For%20The%20Chancers%20(Remix).mp3 Chance for the Chancers] , a very hopeful, encouraging song;
* [http://www.pooroldlu.com/audio/Poor%20Old%20Lu%20-%20Where%20Were%20All%20Of%20You.mp3 Where were all of you?] , addressing the futility of civilization grounded in secular humanism;
* [http://www.pooroldlu.com/audio/Poor%20Old%20Lu%20-%20Sickly%20(Live).mp3 Sickly] , addressing the struggle of a man against his inner demons.
* [http://www.pooroldlu.com/audio/Poor%20Old%20Lu%20-%20Receive.mp3 Receive] , addressing the importance of recognizing and admitting one's struggles, and seeking to transcend them and "Receive".
* [http://www.pooroldlu.com/audio/Poor%20Old%20Lu%20-%20Drenched%20Decent.mp3 Drenched Decent] , describing the joys and challenges of salvation.

References

Further reading

*cite journal |last= |first= |title=Poor Old Lu |month=May / June |year=1996 |issue=6 |journal=7ball Magazine

External links

* [http://www.pooroldlu.com Poor Old Lu official website]
* [http://www.aaronsprinkle.net Aaron Sprinkle]

Fan Sites

* [http://equipbiz.co.nz/pooroldlu/ Poor Old Lu fansite]
* [http://pooroldlu.radioactiveman.com/pooroldlu/ Joel Brubaker's fansite]
* [http://luser.tripod.com/ All Pretty for the PC fansite]