Poor Old Lu
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". 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." History. The band began as "BellBangVilla", recording an album, 'In Love with the Greenery,' in 1990. The band changed its name to Poor Old Lu and recorded a three-song demo tape in 1991. 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. Originally released on cassette, the album was re-released on CD by Alarma Records in 1995. In 1993 they released "Mindsize", produced by Terry Taylor and Derri Daugherty. It turned out to be their breakthrough. The following summer, the band recruited engineer/producer John Goodmanson, and "Sin" was recorded and released in 1994. In 1995 they released "Straight Six", an EP which featured Jeremy Enigk of Sunny Day Real Estate on one track. In 1996 they released "A Picture of the Eighth Wonder". In late 1996 the band broke  up, playing their farewell concert in Seattle, Washington in November 1996. The concert was recorded and released in 1998 as "In Their Final Performance". 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, TomFest and Purple Door. 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. 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. Post-2002 reunions. Poor Old Lu reunited in 2011 for an acoustic house show. In 2013 the group gathered to record one song, "The Great Unwound". 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". Poor Old Lu Poor