MORE MUSIC IN HAMPTON ROADS
WITH DOZENS of original songs in the vault, KidPool is ready to unlock the door and put a fresh, and sober, spin on their past.
Until last month, the Norolk-based rock outfit, which first got together in 1988, hadn't hit the stage in more than a decade. Fans who were around back then, however, no doubt remember the group's albums: "KidPool," "Time for Change" and "Test Drive."
In the beginning the lineup was different, but the KidPool story continues with vocalist Billy Pooler, bassist J "The Beast" Wagner, guitarist Ronnie McDaries and drummer Dale Brown. McDaries and Brown also are in the Norfolk band Monument.
"The band didn't have a name for a long time. It was decided to use part of my last name for the band name," Pooler said.
"We were putting together a tribute for our ex-guitarist, Jerry Mann, who died recently," Wagner said. "It became a meeting of the minds, and that's how this reunion got initiated."
What's the comparison between then and now? "We're sober," Pooler said, "and that's a good thing."
Writing as a group, their lyrics tend to focus on life experiences with a positive message. Here's how Pooler, Wagner and McDaries answered our questions when we sat down with them:
What's the band's best performance memory?
McDaries: In 1995, when the band broke up, the following was huge. A few weeks ago at The NorVa, we had 150 people come out to see us. It was very overwhelming.
What's the band's worst performance memory?
Pooler: We're rocking up onstage at the Peppermint Beach Club, and the front platform separates. (As Pooler jumps to the smaller stage, his right leg goes through the stage.) I'm stuck there singing.
Wagner: There was also the 104-degree fever I had at the Joan Jett show at the Boathouse where I almost died. It was a great show with one of the biggest dressing rooms we ever had, but I was so sick. We've (also) had our "Spinal Tap" moments where an amp blows up.
Give an original lyric, and tell what it means.
"Never run away because hell is just a stop away" - from "Shot Down in Paradise." It's about taking chances, but don't get too full of yourself. Remember, hell is just a stop - you don't have to stay there.
Patty Jenkins, (757) 446-2298, patty.jenkins@pilotonline.com
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