In the summer of 1991, the band officially changed its name to Poor Old Lu, which is taken out of the first book in C.S.Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe. In spring of 1992 the group released their first full-length demo entitled Star-Studded Super Step. After Aaron & Jesse's father passed their demo to Randy Stonehill, the group was signed to Alarma Records in the summer of 1993.
Their first album released with Alarma Records was entitled Mindsize, a critically praised release from the foursome. The next summer the band regrouped to record their second album. Wanting to capture a more raw sound on the record, the group teamed up with engineer & producer John Goodmanson. Simply called Sin, the group released the album to high reviews and a growing fan base.
In the midst of their constant touring at this time, the group took about a month in the late spring of 1995 to record an elusive experimental EP entitled Straight Six. The EP saw new musical steps for the group as well as guest vocals from Jeremy Enigk and a cover of The Swoon's Speak Soft.
After an unsuccessful tour in the summer of 1995, the band's financial status forced the group to gain part-time or full-time jobs to help keep the group and their families afloat. With less time for shows and writing music, the group didn't start to seriously talk again of next album until the spring of 1996. Already the band had started tossing around the idea that this album might be their last album and shutting things down altogether. With a few songs in hand, the group entered the studio with Gene Eugene mixing and co-producing the album. Diverse as their previous albums, A Picture of the Eighth Wonder was released as the band began talking about their impending split. As a way for the band to reminisce once more over the years, in November of 1996 in front of packed house in Wallingford, WA the group played its farewell concert. Recorded and later released the next year, In Their Final Performance captures the memorable evening from a group who knew their time had finally come.
In the years following the disbanding, the group released a self-selected greatest hits disc entitled Chrono: 1993-1998, which featured a number of remixes of fan favorite songs. Five years after the group went their ways, these four high-school friends rejoined for a single album with Tooth & Nail Records. In 2001 the group released their last disc, The Waiting Room. Released to mixed reviews, the group did minimal tour support for the album.
Since Poor Old Lu almost all of the band members have gone on within some musical project in one way or another. In 1997 Nick Barber and Aaron Sprinkle formed the group Rose Blossom Punch with two other friends. Released through Sara Bellum Records, Ephemere was released to good reviews. Yet the group suffered through a number of label issues which not only delayed their next album, but eventually altogether shelved the album entirely. Offered eventually as limited-time download through MP3.COM, by the time the six-song EP entitled Sorry To Disappoint You was released the band had long been disbanded and Aaron Sprinkle had begun his solo career, releasing his debut solo disc Moontraveler. Aaron went on to release three more albums: The Kindest Days, Bareface, and a greatest hits disc Lackluster.
Both Aaron Sprinkle and Jesse Sprinkle released solo discs over the next few years, with Aaron also starting to produce records for Tooth & Nail Records.
In 2006 Nick Barber and Aaron Sprinkle once again rejoined, adding Erick Newbill and Joey Sanchez as the group Fair. The group released their debut album The Best Worst-Case Scenario to solid reviews. To all Poor Old Lu fans out there, the album gives hope that we'll be able to enjoy this favorite group in some form or fashion for the foreseeable future.
Slipknot
Poor Old Lu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the brief text in the album cover eludes, this song is directed primarily towards the topic of 'indifference'. Our indifference, of course, keeps us from many great things in the Lord. Reaching out to others, more effective ministries, better friendships, better marriages, and so on. We must take our attitudes of indifference before the Lord so that He may change our hearts. He is willing and able.
and fear
how it often seems to be all you hear
like a siren that just fills up your ears
oh, so close
and confused
i think i keep the devil amused
when i believe that his lies are true
but beyond the haze i know
which glory remains
my need i seek
in this hope i own
Majesty, i see
indifference is cold
and hate
it seems to run this world just great
will they turn on time or roll in too late?
there's no turning round
on our knowledge now
and pain
does it fall upon your life like rain?
it will not kill or make you insane
just don't bow your neck
to the cutter's blade
my need i seek
in this hope i hold
Majesty, i see
indifference is cold
and fear
is it ever, ever all you can hear?
like a siren that just fills up your ears
would you let it go
and throw your arms to Christ, so close
my need i seek
in this hope i own
Majesty, i see
indifference is cold
The lyrics of Poor Old Lu's song Slipknot reflect on the themes of fear, confusion, hate, and pain, all of which can lead to indifference. The opening lines of the song talk about how fear seems to be all that one hears, like a persistent siren. The song goes on to describe how confusion can allow one to believe the devil's lies to be true, and how hate seems to be running the world. The pain is said to be like rain falling on your life, but not enough to make one insane, and encourages not to bow one's neck to the cutter blade.
The song talks about seeking the need for hope; this is what drives the singer's faith. Majesty, in this context, can be interpreted as the glory of God that is out of reach due to the indifference of the people towards it. The chorus repeats the line, "my need I seek, in this hope I hold, Majesty I see, indifference is cold" multiple times, emphasizing that the importance of hope in the face of fear, confusion, hate, and pain.
This track observes the weakness of man and how it leads to detachment and boredom. It stresses that the core of the issue is a lack of passion for God and others. It's a plea to wake up from our spiritual slumber and feel the weight of the issues in the world around us, then work towards making a positive change. The word "Slipknot" is used as a metaphor, just as a slipknot loses its shape/structure when it's not tied, people lose their shape/structure when they aren't connected to God.
Line by Line Meaning
and fear
The anxiety and apprehension that one succumbs to can sometimes be overpowering.
how it often seems to be all you hear
The fear can echo so loudly that it drowns out everything else.
like a siren that just fills up your ears
The fear can be relentless, just like the sound of a siren filling up one's ears.
will you let it show you what you hold
Will you let your fear reveal to you what you truly care about?
oh, so close
The answer and solution to overcoming fear may be closer than you think.
and confused
Feeling bewildered and uncertain about the world and oneself.
i think i keep the devil amused
The singer believes that their inability to resist the devil's lies entertains the devil.
when i believe that his lies are true
When the artist believes the devil's lies, it blinds them from the truth.
but beyond the haze i know
The artist is aware of the truth, despite what the devil says.
which glory remains
The glory of God and His truth remain true despite the devil's lies.
my need i seek
The singer is seeking what they need.
in this hope i own
The artist has a sense of ownership and trust in hope.
Majesty, i see
The singer sees the majesty of God.
indifference is cold
The singer believes that indifference is a cold attitude to have.
and hate
The emotion of hate can seem to be in control in this world.
it seems to run this world just great
Hate appears to be a powerful and successful driving force in the world.
will they turn on time or roll in too late?
Will those who are full of hate change their ways before it's too late?
there's no turning round
The situation or truth cannot be ignored or altered.
on our knowledge now
Our understanding and awareness of reality is what we have to rely on.
and pain
The feeling of hurt and suffering can become a part of life.
does it fall upon your life like rain?
Is the pain in your life as constant and relentless as rain falling?
it will not kill or make you insane
Pain is a natural part of life and it won't kill or drive one insane.
just don't bow your neck
Don't give up or submit to the pain.
to the cutter's blade
Don't submit to the cause of the pain or hurt that is inflicted like a sharp and cutting blade.
is it ever, ever all you can hear?
Is fear sometimes the only thing you can hear, no matter how hard you listen?
would you let it go
Would you relinquish your fear?
and throw your arms to Christ, so close
Would you turn to Christ and embrace Him, realizing that He is close to you?
Contributed by Addison V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.