Edinburgh's original open mic night

POL

in his own words

What was your worst musical experience?

Leathers split open on stage in front of 45,000 people at the Elephants Fayre Festival supporting The Cure in Cornwall.

What's the best song you've written so far?

"Love Confessions Of A Serial Killer" Because it covers horror, which is hard.

What's your favourite song of yours?

"Passion" It made me rediscover songwriting after a long, long break

What's the best songwriting advice you've ever had?

Try not to use the word 'I', it sounds like a bleeding heart in a bedroom.

What's your favourite song of all time?

"No" by the Associates ...and many others.

Who's the funniest person you've ever met?

Deli Lama.

What music, films, books have you enjoyed recently?

I am a film buff so, Raging Bull, Hero, Rear Window. And musically : Sigor Ros - unnamed album. They are like an Icelandic Pink Floyd.

How would your best review sum you up?

Grumpy comedian that hits his guitar...hard.

How would your worst reviewer describe you?

Grumpy comic that needs a new guitar every few months.

Who do you fancy at OOTB?

Everyone that is unattainable.

Who would be in your fantasy band?

Would not be in a band again.......to many egos in one room!

at OOTB

(July 2005)
Next up was POL who had a very individual guitar style as well as delivery, and a very powerful stage presence. Choosing to stand up instead of adopting the customary OOTB seated position; he looked like he meant business from the start. He also broke another OOTB mould by being neither a strummer nor a picker, but rather using his fingers to 'hit' the strings staccato style. His first number, All Too Much, was jam-packed with tension, and the odd smile Pol flickers while he's performing while he sings his dark lyrics gives an even more sinister feel to the whole thing! His next one Assassins, was written from the point of view of a terrorist, he said. "The concept was to build it not on music but on the sound of helicopters," he went on to explain. It was very atmospheric, and strangely, did indeed conjure up the image of helicopters. His last one, Happy Go Lucky Girl, he described jokingly as a 'love song' and again had a dark twist. Pol's set went down brilliantly, particularly, I noticed, with another OOTB fan of the macabre - one Lynsey Hutchinson, who was whooping and clapping away.

(August 2005)
Clad in black, the mysterious POL took to the stage.  His first song was an “adaption” of John Lennon's “Working Class Hero”.  “Passion”, from his new album, featured his fascinating guitar slapping technique which sounds amazing through his effects box.  ”Happy Go Lucky Girl” contains dark, aggressive lyrics like “take a hammer to your head/ and keep knocking ‘til it's done/ whatever happened to the happy go lucky girl?”  Pol's music can be menacing and evil, as well as captivating and he's one of the most unique, artistic individuals I've seen at OOTB.