Ear Fuel #31: Steve Poltz
30 years ago this week, my life was forever changed when I attended a concert at the legendary Agora Theatre in my home town of Cleveland, Ohio. It was that evening when I experienced the truly magical human that is Steve Poltz for the first time, and I’ve been a massive fan of his music since.
From his punk-tinged years fronting The Rugburns, to his wildly prolific years where I felt he had 50 new songs every week, to his full embrace of everything he is; Steve’s musical career is one of constant reinvention. Yet the core of his songs have always been filled with gorgeous words and melodies, complimented by just the right amount of humor.
Over the past 3 decades, I’ve seen Steve perform live more times than I can remember, often being treated to “close down the venue” sets of 3+ hours - every minute of which was filled with joy, as well as a healthy level of chaos and sonic anarchy. Hell, I recall him doing a short set whilst standing on a milk crate on the lower East side of Manhattan, after he finished his set inside the venue. Why? Because he wasn’t done with US yet!
Whenever I’m asked where my “happy place” is, I honestly reply that it’s at a Steve Poltz show. When I fly (I’m a nervous flyer), I always wear my favorite Poltz t-shirt, and even on the morning of my wedding, I was rocking some Poltz gear. His music and live shows are a place of great happiness and comfort for me, and I know I am far from alone in this feeling.
His songs have made me laugh until I cried, given me hope in my darkest hours, introduced me to lifelong friends; and decades after that first show, my kids love his story-song The Barn.
This introduction is getting REALLY long, but I have a lot to say about this guy…
I’ve had the pleasure of formally interviewing Steve both on my eventually-off-hiatus podcast as well as on my olde YouTube channel (with a wonderfully awkward intro from me), and if I’m being honest, I could easily pick a few dozen of Steve’s songs that I think everyone should hear. But I am going to show some restraint…or try to…
With that in mind, for a deeper dive, I put together a playlist of my favorite Steve Poltz songs from what’s available on streaming services. Check it out here.
And Steve, if you’re reading this, thanks for everything. You’re the best of humanity.
As always, if you’re not already following me over on Facebook, Bluesky or Instagram, please do so.
Since it’s release nearly a decade ago, the title track to Steve's 2015 album has become perhaps the perfect introduction into the sound, style and life of Steve Poltz. As he states at the beginning “everything in this song has happened to me - it’s all true!”
This is not a joke - these are all real bits and bobs from his decades on the road. From car problems and double-booked venues, to promoters failing to promote, lost instruments and so many more struggles - it’s all here.
Yet even given the seemingly endless obstacles, there is the ever-present grin and positivity that is Steve Poltz. That is often the magic of his music - the ability to simultaneously break your heart, but have a smile on your face or a laugh in your belly.
“Folksinger” is a song of perseverance, and enjoying the ride. It’s an honest, yet engaging tale of decades of living; and both musically and lyrically nails many of Poltz’s best qualities. This is an excellent entry point, as it shows both who he is and where he’s been.
Come along for the ride: Spotify
One of the true masterpieces from The Rugburns, this song is 9 minutes of musical awesomeness. Perfectly balancing the raucous, punk-inspired music that was/is The Rugburns, alongside some of the most vividly bizarre lyrics you’ll find, “Dick’s Automotive” is almost a genre onto itself. There’s simply nothing else in music history that fits alongside it.
The song is almost blues in form, but blues that’s riding high on a ten-strip of acid and a case of energy drinks. It’s a song I’ve kept in my musical back pocket since I first heard it, and I LOVE dropping it on people who’ve yet to experience its mad radness.
“Dick’s Automotive” is one of the rare cases in music where there truly are not adequate words to describe it - it is a song that must be experienced first-hand to be properly understood and appreciated.
So seriously, just go listen.
This is one of my most favorite songs that Steve has ever released, and this version only appeared on a blog he posted on his old website many moons ago. My note on the mp3 I pulled at the time says it’s from 2007, but it very well could have been a few years earlier. Also, he did do two different studio versions of this song - but I far prefer the original.
This song captures the delicate beauty that Steve crafts, both musically and lyrically. In this original version, you can hear the room he’s in, and the natural sounds around him. This gives the song a special sense of authenticity, and an intimate feeling rarely heard anymore.
I truly love absolutely everything about this song, and I hope Steve doesn’t mind, but I uploaded my long-treasured mp3 to SoundCloud so that your ears could enjoy this version as well. LISTEN HERE
The moment this song opens, you’ll find a massive smile spreading across your face. The guitar riff that leads the song is miles beyond gorgeous, and it perfectly compliments the beautiful imagery in the opening lines. It’s one of the many instances in the Steve Poltz catalog where I find myself thinking “Is this a perfect song?”
“I Love What You’ve Done With This Place” is a track you’ll find yourself singing along with in no time - maybe even before your first listen is complete. The pace brings a very slight sway and bounce, and if you’ve got a special someone, you may find yourself dancing with them.
This is a song you’re going to quickly fall in love with, and find a new ‘favorite moment’ with each spin.
Click here and enjoy: Spotify
Yes, I am double-dipping on the Folksinger album - but in my defense, it’s an excellent record. Though released in 2015, I remember hearing Steve perform this live a year or two earlier - and being instantly in love with the words. The title alone perfectly represents The Tao of Poltz, and to a large extent, hopefully a sentiment we all share.
Even before the lyrics kick in, the guitar riff has a warm, welcoming feel. It’s like a musical hug, or the sonic equivalent of sitting down with an old friend. As the lyrics roll along, you find yourself feeling like he is putting into words things you have felt and thought for years.
It’s the way that Steve phrases these thoughts that make them profound, universal and timeless. It’s a song you can send to a friend to remind them you care, pass along to someone you’re trying to heal a broken relationship with, or listen on your own and know that so many people care about you. It is a truly special musical creation.
I want all my readers to be happy: Spotify
The bulk of Chinese Vacation record is a peek into a different side of Poltz - as there are some darker, more challenging themes explored. I love this record, and it was tough to only pick one song to highlight. However, “Stax” is one that I keep going back to time and time again.
Steve has never shied away from brutally honest self-reflection, and that’s rarely been more true than on this song. It’s a devastatingly unique perspective on a break-up, almost similar to listening to Beck’s Sea Change album. The lyric is tragically beautiful, and Steve’s vocal delivery is superb.
“Stax” also has one of my favorite Poltz instrumentations. The looping guitar with touches of slide on top create an enclosed, almost trapped space - which perfectly mirrors the mood of the lyrics.
It’s titled “Stay” on Spotify, but the song is called “Stax”: Spotify
That’s all for this week. As always, share and enjoy.
This was a really good read! Steve Poltz is the absolute best