They inspire people. They jump around on stages, converting throngs of concertgoers to their psychedelic mindset. They wear white togas. To the ignorant passerby, the Polyphonic Spree might seem like your everyday, run-of-the-mill evangelist sect, but look closer and you’ll capture the beauty of 20 plus people soul rocking to 60’s inspired pop rock.

“[It all] goes back to the vision of our singer/songwriter Tim Delaughter,” explains bassist Mark Pirro. “He had the idea of a very unique sound in his head long before the band came into being.  He figured the only way to really capture the sound was to have traditional rock 'N' roll instruments mingled with a variety of symphonic instruments as well as a choir. The best way to pull that off live and in a studio is to get a large group of people that are experts at their particular instruments, and therefore the world now has the Polyphonic Spree.”

And the world is grateful. The Polyphonic Spree deserve all the laudatory comments and praise they have been getting from just about every self-respecting music magazine on Earth. Their subtle mix of arena-rock (without the arena), psychedelic, pop and indie rock make the Spree one of the most daring and compelling bands of the PAST decade, as far as HLMusic is concerned. “Although ideas of a symphonic pop band were floating around in Tim's head, a few years passed before Tim really did anything with music,” says Mark. “Then one day a good friend of ours and now manager, Chris Penn, booked a gig for Tim to open for Grandaddy — even though the creation of the band hadn't yet taken place. Tim had about a month to put his idea together and be ready to play.” As I said, daring. After that first show, the Spree were on a roll, booking shows in the U.K. like madmen (and madwomen), bringing their feel-good sound to the masses. Just take a listen of “Soldier Girl” for instance; it’s a dreamy, grasping tale of love found, soul mate included. “Tim’s vision” becomes ours in the space of an uplifting love song.

"I think that the single most important thing that inspires us as a band is the very idea of expressing ourselves through music. It really is a powerful and rewarding experience. As far as influences, I'd have to say influences are just as diverse as are the members of the band,” Mark says. The most confusing thing about the Spree is the reluctance of their own country to embrace them. In comparison to features in almost all worthy U.K. mags (including NME and the Face, of course) Polyphonic Spree just can’t seem to get the love from their hometown, Dallas, Texas.

“Basically it comes down to the fact that we have played there (U.K.) more frequently than anywhere else,” Mark says. “I think we have been over there five or six times in the last eight months. We have done just about every major summer festival there, as well as doing our own headlining tours, but how we got there and why we have been so embraced there is the really important thing.” For AN enterprise as demanding as the Spree, taking the show abroad is an exciting yet taxing prospect.

“Up until last year, we could not realistically accommodate taking the Polyphonic Spree much outside [Dallas],” explains Mark. “After playing SXSW last year, we caught the eyes and ears of some very insightful promoters, label reps, and press people. Most of these people had connections back in the U.K. As fate would have it, these various people found a way to get us over there to play David Bowie's “Melt Down Festival”, [which] basically put us on the map over there. I think the rest of it has to do with how music fans over there really have open arms for things that are new and different, and they seemed to have really gotten behind our band.” However, if you are an American Polyphonic Spree fan, do not despair, they will be gracing our shores from sea to shining sea very soon. “Just to put things in perspective, we are just now getting ready for the first time since the band'sinception to do some dedicated touring here in the U.S. I don't underestimate the tastes of American music fans in regards to our band. I think people here are just as ready and open to something like the Polyphonic Spree.”

“Refreshing” doesn’t even begin to describe the ecstatic state I found myself in when I came across the Polyphonic Spree for the first time. I will never cease to say it: commercial music in this day and age is the most worthless form of muck I have ever had the displeasure to witness. My desk sits directly across from our local HMV outlet, and I spend my day watching literally throngs of people traipse in and out, paying as much as 16 dollars for the latest prefabricated dud that major record labels force down their throats with constant radio babble and 20-foot billboards.

The Polyphonic Spree is one of the few bands out there that are trying to change that, by overtly challenging the minds of the masses and pushing envelopes in the most bizarre and dazzling fashions imaginable. Mark Pirro sums it up wonderfully: “From my point of view, I would say that I am dedicated to making music. To do it with such a large group of extremely talented people is a great opportunity and I consider it an honor to be a part of it.” Now that’s inspirational.

Interview with Mark Pirro, bassist for the Polyphonic Spree:

HarlemLive: How did you come up with the idea for this kind of band? Were you all friends, or did you have to place ads, etc? Well once again, the creation of the band goes back to Tim and his vision.

Mark Pirro: Just to give you a little background, I must backtrack a bit. I played bass in a band with Tim and our drummer Bryan Wakeland called Tripping Daisy. We did that band for about ten years. The whole thing came to an end in 1998 due to the tragic and untimely death of our friend and guitarist Wes Berggren. So Tim initially started with me and Byran and a few other friends and it wasn't long before the band started gaining members. By the time we played the show with Grandaddy we had 13 members. Now, three years later, we have leveled off at 23 members. But most everybody in the band became a part of it through making connections through various friends, acquaintances, and family members. No "official” ads were ever put out to acquire members.

HarlemLive: What are the Polyphonic Spree's main influences, etc?

Mark Pirro: As far as influences, I'd have to say influences are just as diverse as are the members of the band. But I think one common thread pulls us together musically and that is an affection and appreciation for great melodic pop/rock music such as the Beatles and so forth.

HarlemLive: What's with the robes?

Mark Pirro: As Tim puts it, "it is a way to unify the band." I believe it helps add to the bands impact and presence live. I suppose we could have picked any thing for a band uniform, but a white robe is so simple and pure, I don't think it will ever go out of style.

HarlemLive: Which members of your 20 plus unit band write the lyrics, and who writes the music?

Mark Pirro: The songs in their most basic form and lyrics are all written by Tim. However, the music and the individual parts are helped formed by each individual member. It is as if the band is comprisedof 23 composers constructing submelodies, rhythm, and arrangement to contribute to the ideas and expressions of Tim's songs.

HarlemLive: What is the typical audience reaction at a PPS concert?

Mark Pirro: Probably shock and amazement at first, due to the large presence of the band. Then I think the audience tends to open up and embrace the idea that we are there to entertain them as well as ourselves. In doing so, I believe we tap into a very uplifted facet of the human spirit. By the end I think most audience members witnessing the Polyphonic Spree would agree that the whole thing is such an experience, you would have to see it for yourself to fully understand.

HarlemLive: What is the exact number of members in PPS? How do you split the
paychecks?

Mark Pirro: Unless things have changed since question 2, we are still at 23 members. With that many in the band, I'm sure you can imagine the financial implications of keeping such a large operation functional. However, if after expenses and the cost of doing the band are covered, we share in the profit. Unfortunately, most everyone still has to work outside of the band to make ends meet.

HarlemLive: If you could tour with one band, past or present, which one would it be?

Mark Pirro: Man, that is a difficult one to answer. I think I am going to say the Who. I never did get to see them live in their most formidable years, but they seemed like such an impressive live act that I would love the opportunity to witness for myself.