Matt Pavolka Double bass, electric bass
Ben Monder Guitar
Pete Rende Rhodes, Piano
Tad Poor Drums

The Matt Pavolka Band is Ben Monder, Pete Rende, Ted Poor and, uh, Matt Pavolka.  They operate under his name because he writes the songs and gives them names.  His songwriting is influenced by Borges, Pynchon, Saer, Motorhead and Engrish.com, among other things.  The Band uses his songs as a framework for group improvisations that range from full-on wall-of-sound throw-downs to painterly meditations to Japanese Cosmology Lessons.  “Something People Can Use” captures much of the vibe, raw force and exuberance that they generate in live performance.  The cover art is pretty sweet, too.

The Matt Pavolka Band appears with some frequency in New York City and also on tour.  They were recently spotted in Portugal performing and dancing on tables.

2007 // TOAP019