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Nick Pollock

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Nick Pollock
Birth nameNicholas Pollock
Born (1967-11-22) November 22, 1967 (age 56)
GenresHard rock, grunge, heavy metal, glam metal
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1986–present
LabelsCaroline, Chameleon, Elektra, Licking Lava Records

Nick Pollock is a Seattle-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine. He has also played in various bands with other notable musicians, including Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton. He graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1986.

Biography

Early Career (1986–1994)

Main articles: Alice N' Chains and My Sister's Machine

His first group of note was Alice N' Chains, a precursor to Alice in Chains for which Pollock played guitar. This band also featured vocalist Layne Staley, bassist Johnny Bacolas and drummer James Bergstrom. The band recorded two demos and toured throughout the Seattle area for roughly one year before they broke up in 1987. Staley went on to join the band that eventually took the name Alice in Chains and became hugely successful. Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell stated in an interview several years later that it was Pollock who first introduced him to Staley.

"I had met Nick Pollock, who was the guitar player in Alice N' Chains at the time – Layne's version of it. He knew what I was going through, and he invited me to come up to Seattle. He took me to a house party – somewhere in West Seattle. I walked in the door, and he introduced me to Layne immediately."[1]

In 1989, Pollock became the lead singer and lyricist of the band My Sister's Machine, which he started along with guitarist Owen Wright, bassist Chris Ivanovich, and drummer Chris Gohde.[2] Wright and Gohde were previously involved in the band Mistrust. They went on to release two studio albums, Diva and Wallflower. Pollock wrote or co-wrote every track off both those albums. Although both albums were largely well received by critics, My Sister's Machine split up in 1994 after Elektra Entertainment folded the label they were under at that time.

Mid Career (1994–2007)

Main articles: Tanks of Zen and Soulbender

Following the break-up of My Sister's Machine, Pollock is said to have started another band called Tanks of Zen, which is currently his primary musical endeavor.[3] In 2000, this band recorded a set of songs under the working title American Hangover, which so far has not seen a proper release.[3][4]

In 2001, Pollock formed Soulbender with Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton, guitarist Dave Groves, and drummer Wes Hallam. This group performed at the very first Layne Staley Tribute held in 2002, the year Staley died.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). With the addition of bass player Marten Van Keith, they released their self-titled debut album in 2004. Many observers have compared this album to Alice in Chains and Tool.[5][6] Pollock left Soulbender in early 2007 and was subsequently replaced by his friend Second Coming vocalist Travis Bracht.

Present career (2009–present)

In 2009, Tanks of Zen reemerged with Pollock fronting a new lineup that included bassist Dan Scott, drummer Mark Locke, and for a brief spell, second guitarist Matt Johnson.[3] They also announced their plans to record a new set of songs under the working title Love's Gentle Maw,[3] which has been described by the band as a concept album dealing in relationships.[7]

In January 2010, Pollock guest appeared with a band called Sundance Crow, led by Irish guitarist Matt Hayward the band disbanded after the recording, Pollock sung on their track "Silvertongue". The release was shelved but the song itself has appeared online.[8] Later that June, the Layne Staley Fund announced that My Sister's Machine would be headlining the upcoming Layne Staley Tribute on August 21. Pollock said of Staley:

"He and I grew up together musically, and as best friends as teenagers. I had some of the best times of my life with Layne and miss him very much. It's a privilege to honor his memory and life with My Sister's Machine having the opportunity to do this show!"

In 2011, Pollock announced on Facebook that Love's Gentle Maw was in the final stages of production and being mastered by Eric Janko and Eddy Schreyer, who were also involved in the production of Soulbender; Schreyer has also mastered or co-mastered Alice in Chains' first three releases Facelift, Sap and Dirt. The album was officially released on September 30, 2011.

Discography

My Sister's Machine Discography
Year Title Label
1992 Diva Caroline
1993 Wallflower Chamelon
Tanks of Zen discography
Year Title Label Notes
2000 American Hangover Unsigned This album has made a few appearances on the web as a bootleg
but has not yet seen a proper release.
2011 Love's Gentle Maw Headless
Soulbender discography
Year Title Label
2004 Soulbender Licking Lava
2014 Soulbender II Rat Pak
Other appearances
Year Title Band Track(s)
1992 RockHard Präsentiert Virgin Summer Slam My Sister's Machine "I Hate You"
1993 Crossing All Over!
Crunchy Goodness "Steamy Swamp Thang"
1994 New Metal Ballads "Empty Room"
Hard Music Volume 1 "Enemy"
2008 Unleashed 4 Soulbender "Three Towers"
2009 Unleashed 5 "Clockwork and Compass"
2010 Silvertongue Sundance Crow "Silvertongue"

References

  1. ^ Prato, Greg. "Grunge is Dead:The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music." p. 217. April 2009.
  2. ^ Boehm,Mike MSM: Newest Vein of Gold in Seattle's Hard-Rock Quarry, "Los Angeles Times" May 15, 1992. Retrieved on April 28, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d "Tanks of Zen | Seattle, WA | Rock | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos". ReverbNation. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  4. ^ Tanks of Zen: American Hangover CD Track Listing
  5. ^ Soulbender (demo)
  6. ^ Soulbender Guitarist Happily Does Double Duty
  7. ^ Tanks of Zen Pledge Drive
  8. ^ Sundance Crow – Silvertongue

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