Poole - Supermerica ep & Loon ep (1994/95, spinART)

To get some idea of what Poole sounds like, first listen to a couple of those old Dion albums your mother has stashed away in the attic. Add a little of Husker Du's guitar grinding melodicism, and add a dash of vocal harmony stolen straight from the Beatles, and you might get the general idea. - The Georgetown Voice.

Since I could hardly put it better myself, I let someone else do the talking, if only for a couple of sentences. The Buke, VA based Poole were one of my favorite suburban D.C. guitar pop bands of the '90s, recording three full lengths for one of the preeminent indie labels at the time, spinART records. Despite the blue background and snowflakes that adorned the jacket of their debut album, 1995's Alaska Days, Poole couldn't have introduced themselves with a more buoyant and sunnier entrance. I should also note that the quartet was a superb fit for the spinART roster, considering another loud, jangly pop band, Lotion were fitting labelmates. Though I like to think that Poole's third and final album, Among Who We Shine might be their finest hour, Alaska Days is typically the fan favorite. Most listeners however are likely unaware of two short-run promotional ep's sent to radio and print media outlets to promote Alaska, which included rare compilation tracks, an interview, and whatnot. I've included both of them, Supermerica and Loon, in their entirety with source info for each song. For a more detailed bio, check out Poole MySpace page linked above, as well as a thorough 1999 article originally published in Tidal Wave magazine.

Supermerica ep (1994)
01. Supermerica (LP version)
02. Smiley Mr. Lion (from Wyatt’s Torch compilation)
03. In My Ears (from Pop Licks 7” compilation box)

Loon ep (1995)
01. Loon (LP version)
02. Can’t Go Back (from Homage Descendents tribute comp)
03. interview (conducted by David Daley of Alternative Press)
04. Car (live 9/25/95 for WHFS Dave’s Garage show)

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