Jon Poole
Jonathan Charles Poole (born 16 October 1969) is an English multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter, renowned for his versatility on bass, guitar, keyboards, and drums.[1] He gained prominence as the second guitarist for the progressive rock band Cardiacs from 1994 to 2004, contributing significantly to their album Sing to God through guitar arrangements, bass lines, and songwriting.[2] Poole's career began in his youth, starting guitar at age eleven and forming early bands like Ablemesh and Ad Nauseam before joining Cardiacs, where he replaced Christian "Bic" Hayes and helped shape the band's complex, energetic sound during a creative peak.[1] In 2002, he temporarily joined the rock band The Wildhearts as bassist to replace Danny McCormack, continuing in that role after leaving Cardiacs in 2004 amid the Wildhearts' lineup changes.[2] Later, Poole joined the progressive rock band Lifesigns in 2014 as bassist, contributing to their albums, while also pursuing collaborative projects such as The Dowling Poole with Willie Dowling and solo work under the moniker Random Jon Poole, including tributes to Frank Zappa.[3] In 2024, he rejoined The Wildhearts in their new lineup.[4] His extensive discography spans over a dozen acts, highlighting his influence in the UK rock and progressive scenes.[1]Early life
Birth and family background
Jonathan Charles Poole was born on 16 October 1969 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England.[1] As the youngest of six siblings, he grew up in an encouraging family environment in Hertfordshire.[5] Poole's family was deeply immersed in music, fostering an atmosphere rich with musical activity from his childhood. His father, a jazz enthusiast, dedicated his spare time to arranging music and leading his own band, which performed styles including big band, traditional jazz, and 1950s tunes; Poole's mother also contributed by singing in the band.[5] This parental involvement created a household where music was a central pursuit, influencing the family's dynamics and exposing young Poole to diverse sounds during the 1970s.[5] All of Poole's siblings engaged with music to varying degrees, reinforcing the family's artistic orientation, though one sister pursued non-musical interests.[5] For instance, several brothers were accomplished instrumentalists, including one recognized as a respected session bass player and another who plays bass, while an older sister played trombone in a jazz ensemble.[5] This sibling involvement, combined with his parents' example, embedded music within the fabric of Poole's upbringing in Hertfordshire.[5]Early musical development
Poole began his musical journey at the age of nine when he purchased his first single, "Good Times" by Chic, marking an early interest in music. After buying "Good Times", Poole developed an interest in bass but chose guitar, influenced by Nile Rodgers and Andy Summers. He was exposed to jazz and funk from a young age through his family.[5] Two years later, at age 11, he received his first acoustic guitar, which ignited his passion for playing.[5] Largely self-taught, Poole honed his skills by meticulously studying and transcribing songs from records, focusing on replicating the guitar parts he admired.[5] This informal training was supplemented by exposure to music within his family, where his father led a jazz band and his siblings played instruments such as drums and bass, providing a supportive environment for his budding talent.[5] By age 13 in the early 1980s, Poole had progressed to creating his own amateur recordings, producing solo cassette albums using a simple double cassette player setup.[5] He also gained initial performance experience by playing guitar in his father's jazz band, which offered hands-on opportunities to develop his instrumental abilities in a live setting during his teenage years.[5]Career
Ad Nauseam and early 1990s projects
Jon Poole's first significant band was Ad Nauseam, formed in 1989 in Milton Keynes, England, where he co-led the group alongside singer and drummer Bob Leith.[6] The five-piece ensemble drew inspiration from Cardiacs, blending progressive rock, punk, and jazz-rock elements into an experimental sound that influenced the local scene.[6] Poole contributed as bassist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist, while also handling songwriting duties that shaped the band's energetic, avant-garde style.[7] The lineup included bassist Giles Rees, keyboardist Rodney Duprey, and saxophonist Nic Fryer.[7] Ad Nauseam released a single cassette album, 4 Little Boys 1989–1991, in 1991 on a self-released demo tape, capturing their raw, cassette-recorded sessions over two years.[8] This project marked Poole's early professional output as a performer and writer, though the band disbanded shortly after his recruitment into Cardiacs.[5] In the early 1990s, Poole joined Two Worlds Collide, a project initiated in 1992 by guitarist and vocalist Clive Giblin, who had recently begun working with Cardiacs.[9] Active through the decade, the band featured Poole on bass, guitar, and keyboards, where he also assisted with mixing and programming.[10] Despite recording material during this period, Two Worlds Collide did not perform live, focusing instead on studio work that reflected a mix of industrial and alternative rock influences.[9] The group's sole album, Sympathetic Storm, was completed in the 1990s but released posthumously in 2006 by Le Cluricaun Records, with guest contributions from Cardiacs' Tim Smith on backing vocals and keyboards for one track.[10] Poole's multi-instrumental role helped define the album's layered, atmospheric production, though he departed the project by the late 1990s.[9] Poole's involvement with Ablemesh in the mid-1990s centered on their 1995 sessions, where he played bass and served as producer for the band's lo-fi recordings.[11] The group, led by vocalist Gordon Glass and guitarist Sean Walmsley, produced material on a four-track cassette recorder, emphasizing a raw indie rock sound driven by Glass and Walmsley's songwriting partnership.[11] Drummer Bob Leith, Poole's collaborator from Ad Nauseam, rounded out the rhythm section. The resulting album, Present Imperfect, captured Ablemesh at their performative peak but remained unreleased until a 2017 remastered digital edition, highlighting Poole's production in preserving the analog fidelity.[11] His contributions extended to backing vocals on select tracks, underscoring his versatile role in the local underground scene.[12] That same year, 1995, Poole co-formed Dr. Brighton with Sean Walmsley, shifting toward a more direct rock approach infused with punk and pop sensibilities.[13] As frontman, Poole shared guitar and vocal duties, contributing songwriting that propelled the band's straightforward energy. The lineup included Bob Leith on drums, alongside Andy Allum, Mike Turbutt, and Walmsley. Their self-titled album, recorded in 1995, embodied this accessible style but was not officially issued until 2016 as a digital release, featuring tracks like "Beagle Bites" and "Worlds Above" that showcased Poole's melodic guitar work and vocal presence. This project represented one of Poole's final pre-Cardiacs endeavors in the 1990s experimental circuit.Cardiacs
Jon Poole first became associated with Cardiacs in 1991, when he approached the band following the departure of guitarist Christian "Bic" Hayes, submitting demo tapes from his group Ad Nauseam that caught the attention of frontman Tim Smith.[2] He officially joined as second guitarist in 1994, replacing Hayes and forming the band's stable four-piece lineup alongside Smith, his brother Jim on bass, and drummer Bob Leith, a former Ad Nauseam bandmate.[2][14] During his initial tenure from 1994 to 2004, Poole contributed on guitar, bass, keyboards, and backing vocals, often playing multiple instruments on recordings to support the band's intricate arrangements.[6][3] Poole's songwriting and production roles were prominent on Cardiacs' 1995 double album Sing to God, where he penned tracks such as "Bell Stinks," "Bell Clinks," and "Angleworm Angel," and co-arranged several songs with Tim Smith, including guitar and bass riffs for pieces like "Odd Even" and "Manhoo."[2] He also played bass on multiple tracks, enhancing the album's dense, layered sound that blended progressive and punk elements. On the 1999 album Guns, Poole provided guitars and contributed to the production process in Smith's Apollo 8 studio, helping craft its more accessible yet experimental edge as the band's final full-length release during his primary involvement.[15][14] His multi-instrumental input was integral to the recordings, though songwriting credits remained predominantly with Smith. The band dynamics during Poole's time reflected Tim Smith's visionary leadership, with Poole describing a collaborative environment where Smith trusted his creative ideas, editing and elevating them while fostering a familial bond—Poole later referred to the Smith brothers as "royalty."[2] This period solidified Cardiacs' cult status despite commercial challenges, with Poole's addition bringing fresh energy to live performances and studio work. He briefly reunited with the band for their 2006 shows at London's Astoria, performing classics like "Fairy Mary" and "Anything I Can't Eat."[16] Following Smith's death in 2020, Poole participated in 2024 tribute performances under the "Sing to Tim" banner, taking on lead vocals and guitar at events like those at The Garage in London and Concorde 2 in Brighton, honoring the band's legacy with surviving members and guests.[17][18][19]The Wildhearts and related bands
Jon Poole joined Silver Ginger 5, a project led by Ginger Wildheart, in 2000 as the band's bassist.[2] He contributed bass to their debut album, Black Leather Mojo, released that year on Mercury Records, which blended glam rock with hard rock elements and was produced by Cardiacs' Tim Smith.[20] Poole also performed on early tours, including initial shows in Japan shortly after joining.[2] In 2002, Poole transitioned to The Wildhearts, replacing bassist Danny McCormack amid the latter's health issues, and took on bass duties along with backing vocals.[2] His tenure with the band lasted until its split in 2005, during which he participated in recordings and live performances that highlighted the group's high-energy punk-rock sound.[4] Following the breakup, Poole continued collaborating with Ginger Wildheart in the project Ginger & the Sonic Circus, providing bass and support on tours and recordings into the mid-2000s.[2] Poole rejoined The Wildhearts for intermittent reunions starting in late 2012, stepping in as bassist after Scott Sorry's departure to focus on family commitments; this period included select live shows through 2013.[21] He returned again from 2014 to 2017, contributing to tours and maintaining the band's core rhythm section alongside Ginger Wildheart.[4] In 2024, Poole rejoined for a fourth stint, debuting with a one-off reunion show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on June 6, featuring a new lineup with guitarist Ben Marsden and drummer Pontus Snibb, and described by the band as their most elaborate production to date.[4] This ongoing involvement extended into 2025, with Poole playing bass on The Wildhearts' eleventh studio album, Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts, released on March 7 via Snakefarm Records.[22] The album marked a return to form for the band after a 2022 hiatus, blending their signature punk-hard rock style with fresh energy from the reunited lineup.[23] Live performances continued through 2025, including high-profile shows such as one at Cambridge Junction in March, where Poole's bass work anchored the set alongside Marsden and Snibb.[24]God Damn Whores
God Damn Whores is an English glam-punk and hard rock band formed by multi-instrumentalist Jon Poole in 2005 following the disbandment of the Wildhearts.[2] Poole serves as the band's founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, often handling bass and additional instrumentation across recordings to capture a raw, collaborative energy.[2] The project draws on Poole's extensive experience, incorporating contributions from musicians such as guitarist Jase Edwards and drummer Denzel, while occasionally featuring guest appearances from associates like Ginger Wildheart.[25] The band's debut album, We Are the Lucky Thirteen, was released in 2006 in Japan via Vinyl Junkie Recordings and later in the UK in 2008 on Round Records.[26] This 13-track effort showcases Poole's vision of unpolished rock anthems, blending tribal rhythms with glam-infused riffs and autobiographical lyrics reflecting themes of rebellion and camaraderie among misfits.[25] Following a period of intermittent activity, the group issued their second album, Heya Heya Heya Heya Ho!, in 2013, funded through Pledge Music and emphasizing experimental edges with influences from acts like Adam and the Ants and the Dead Kennedys.[27] Tracks such as "Mundane and Beautiful" and "Media Slave" highlight the band's energetic style, marked by catchy melodies, social commentary on modern alienation, and a sense of tight-knit band loyalty despite geographical challenges among members.[25] Poole has described God Damn Whores as a flexible outlet for his songwriting, allowing for psychedelic and hard-hitting explorations without rigid structures, which has sustained its output into the 2010s.[2] The project's thematic core revolves around raw, visceral rock that celebrates unpretentious fun and interpersonal bonds, often evoking nostalgia for punk's DIY ethos while delivering high-octane performances.[25] Although live shows have been sporadic due to members' dispersed locations, the band's recordings continue to represent Poole's commitment to this energetic, camaraderie-driven sound.[5]Other collaborations and guest appearances
In 2006, Poole contributed drums to the Brighton-based band Celebricide, a short-lived project featuring former Cardiacs members Sarah Smith and William D. Drake, alongside other local musicians, resulting in the album Make Disease. Poole joined the psychedelic rock outfit Crayola Lectern in 2008, providing Casio synthesizer, electronics, and occasional vocals alongside core members Chris Anderson and Alistair Strachan; the band has released albums including The Fall and Rise of... (2013) and Somewhere in the Middle of Nothing (2020), with Poole participating in live performances and recordings that blend experimental pop and prog elements.[28] From 2009 onward, Poole has supported La Mômo on drums, guitar, and vocals, a collaborative project led by Chris Anderson that incorporates art-rock and improvisation; notable appearances include a 2010 performance at the Orchestra Pit event in Brighton.[29] That same year, Poole made a guest appearance as bassist for the reformed 1980s indie band The Lotus Eaters during their June concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, supporting their comeback activities around the single "The First Picture of You."[2] Poole co-founded the progressive rock band Lifesigns in 2016, contributing bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals to albums such as Cardington (2017) and Altitude (2021), while also joining international tours, including a North American run in March 2025 that featured performances in the US and Canada.[6][30] In 2014, Poole formed the power pop duo Dowling Poole with singer-songwriter Willie Dowling, handling multi-instrumental duties including bass, guitar, drums, and keyboards across releases like the debut Bleak Strategies (2016) and Refuse (2022), which showcase melodic hooks and eclectic arrangements.[31][32] Since 2017, Poole has served as bassist and backing vocalist for Dr. Hook starring Dennis Locorriere, touring extensively with the classic rock revival act and contributing to live interpretations of hits like "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman."[33] In 2025, Poole joined Adam Ant's UK tour as bassist and backing vocalist for October and November dates. He performed at key shows including the October 26 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall gig and the November 2 Camden Roundhouse concert (as of November 2025).[34][35][36] Additionally, in 2025, Poole made a guest appearance on bass for The Gift's single "Epitaph," enhancing the track's rock-oriented sound on their latest release.[37]Musical style and influences
Style characteristics
Jon Poole is renowned as a multi-instrumentalist, demonstrating proficiency across guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals throughout his career.[3] His ability to handle multiple roles is evident in solo recordings, where he has employed overdubbing techniques on limited equipment like a Fostex 4-track cassette machine to layer instruments, as seen in his early Zappa-inspired tributes.[2] This versatility allows him to contribute dynamically to ensemble settings, switching between lead and rhythm roles seamlessly. Poole's compositional and playing style fuses elements of punk rock, progressive and art rock, and hard rock, characterized by complex rhythms and eclectic arrangements that blend aggressive energy with intricate structures.[5] On guitar, he employs a chunky, riff-driven approach that supports melodic lines while incorporating space-age intricacies, often collaborating to develop interlocking patterns as in Cardiacs' Sing to God.[5][2] His bass work features fast, clear fingerstyle lines that emphasize melodic phrasing, contributing to tight, heavy grooves in odd time signatures and polyrhythmic passages.[2] Keyboard and drum contributions add textural depth, using synthesizers like the Yamaha DX7 for atmospheric layers and primitive drum machines for rhythmic experimentation in solo contexts.[2] In live performances, Poole's style manifests as energetic and chaotic yet inherently melodic, driving high-intensity shows with improvisational flair on guitar and relentless rhythmic propulsion on bass.[5] This approach creates a sense of controlled pandemonium, where punk-derived urgency meets progressive complexity, as demonstrated in his tenure with bands like the Wildhearts and Cardiacs.[3] Regarding production, Poole favors hands-on, collaborative methods that preserve raw energy, such as editing riff-based demos into cohesive tracks or balancing overdubbed elements for a full, inviting sound in solo albums.[2] In band settings, he integrates multi-tracked vocals and instruments to enhance eclectic arrangements without over-polishing the inherent chaos.[5]Key influences
Jon Poole's musical influences span a diverse array of genres, beginning with the jazz traditions embedded in his family background. Growing up in a household where his father led a jazz band and his siblings played instruments such as trombone, bass, and drums, Poole was immersed in black jazz, fusion, and funk during the 1970s. This early exposure, which he described as his primary influence as a toddler, laid the foundation for his multi-instrumental versatility and rhythmic sensibility.[5] Punk and hard rock emerged as pivotal forces in Poole's development during his adolescence, particularly through bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash, which captured the raw energy and rebellious spirit that resonated with the late 1970s UK music scene. These acts, alongside new wave influences such as The Police—whose guitarist Andy Summers' "space-age" style intrigued him—shaped his appreciation for concise, impactful song structures and innovative guitar work. Disco and funk elements also played a role, with Chic's "Good Times" serving as his first favorite single at age nine, influencing his bass playing and groove-oriented compositions; he later noted, "No wonder I ended up being a bass player!" Other 1970s and 1980s touchstones included Earth, Wind & Fire, The Jacksons, Heatwave, and the Brothers Johnson, broadening his palette with funk and pop sensibilities.[5][2] Progressive rock and experimental sounds further defined Poole's artistic outlook, with Frank Zappa standing out as a profound inspiration. Introduced to Zappa by his ex-brother-in-law, Poole became obsessed with the early Mothers of Invention era, leading him to create a tribute album, Mothers Covers, in 1993 that reinterpreted Zappa's complex compositions. This affinity extended to Zappa's integration of jazz, classical, and rock elements, evident in Poole's admiration for intricate arrangements and virtuosic playing. Additional prog influences encompassed Yes, King Crimson, Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett era, and Captain Beefheart, which fueled his interest in unconventional structures and psychedelic experimentation. Broader 1980s influences, including David Bowie, Talking Heads, XTC, and The Kinks, added layers of pop innovation and storytelling to his evolving style.[2]Solo career
Studio albums
Jon Poole's debut solo album, What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?, initially self-released in 1994 as a CDr and cassette but recorded between January and August 1994, is a tribute to the early work of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention from 1965 to 1969.[38] A CD reissue followed in 2003. Produced, engineered, and performed entirely by Poole using a Fostex four-track cassette machine, a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, guitar, and an Alesis HR-16 drum machine, the album features 16 covers that capture the satirical, experimental rock style of Zappa's era, including doo-wop influences and avant-garde elements.[38] Track highlights include the title song "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" (1:11), a concise rendition of the original's humorous critique; the extended "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" (7:05), showcasing Poole's multi-instrumental layering to mimic Zappa's complex arrangements; and "Peaches" (2:57), a playful nod to the bluesy absurdity of the source material.[38] The Zappa-esque style is evident in Poole's faithful yet lo-fi interpretations, emphasizing raw energy and witty lyrics without modern embellishments.[39] Poole's second solo album, Random Jon Poole, launched via PledgeMusic on 19 October 2012 with digital release on 29 December 2012 and CD release in March 2013, marks a shift to original songwriting, comprising 12 tracks that blend progressive rock, pop, and experimental elements drawn from his multi-instrumentalist background.[40] Self-produced by Poole, the album highlights his focus on narrative-driven compositions exploring themes of alienation, resilience, and introspection, as seen in tracks like "Alien Interaction" (5:49), which delves into otherworldly encounters through intricate guitar work and synth layers, and the two-part "The Death of Soul" suite, reflecting on emotional loss with melodic bass lines and vocal harmonies.[40] Other notable songs include "Into the Sunset" (4:31), a reflective closer with uplifting orchestration, and "The Ballad of Mad Jack Churchill" (duration unspecified), a biographical tribute to the WWII hero emphasizing adventure and defiance in its rhythmic structure.[40] The production emphasizes clean, layered arrangements that showcase Poole's songwriting versatility, moving beyond covers to personal expression.[40] No minor solo EPs have been documented in Poole's discography.[1]Live performances and side projects
Poole has maintained a low-key approach to his solo live performances, primarily consisting of occasional acoustic sets rather than extensive tours. In a 2009 interview, he discussed participating in acoustic tours with Ginger Wildheart.[2] Post-2013, following the release of his second solo album, Poole's live solo activities remained sporadic, with no major tours or festival appearances documented under his individual banner. Instead, these efforts appear tied to informal promotions, such as acoustic demonstrations of new material shared via online platforms.[5] Among his informal side projects, Poole developed the unreleased Dr Brighton in the late 2000s, a collection of experimental tracks intended for potential digital distribution, reflecting his ongoing interest in personal, low-fi explorations outside structured band work. This endeavor, discussed in the same 2009 interview, underscores his penchant for one-off creative outlets that prioritize songwriting experimentation over commercial release.[2]Personal life
Family and relationships
On 5 June 2004, in Bighton, Sussex, Jon Poole married British actress Louise Rhian Poole (née Weekley).[41] The couple has one son, Evan, born circa 2010.[42] In the post-2000s era, fatherhood significantly influenced Poole's professional decisions, prompting him to maintain a stable 9-5 job for financial security while gradually re-engaging with music projects as family circumstances allowed.[5] This balance enabled him to sustain long-term commitments to bands like the Wildhearts and Lifesigns without compromising his parental role.[5]Residence and lifestyle
Jon Poole resides in the United Kingdom, maintaining a low-profile life centered around his family and creative pursuits outside of touring schedules. As the youngest of six siblings from a musical household in Hertfordshire, he has emphasized the importance of family time, noting that becoming a father shifted his priorities toward balancing personal responsibilities with professional demands.[5] In addition to his music career, Poole has pursued entrepreneurial ventures, such as launching a successful crowdfunding campaign via Pledge Music for his debut solo album in 2013, which exceeded expectations and helped support his full-time self-employment as a musician and writer.[5] His non-musical interests include a preference for simple pleasures, like enjoying plain digestives over more elaborate biscuits, reflecting a grounded and unpretentious lifestyle.[5]Discography
Solo releases
Jon Poole's solo discography consists primarily of two studio albums, both released under his own name or the moniker Random Jon Poole. These works highlight his independent songwriting and production efforts outside of band collaborations.| Title | Release Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? | 1994 | Self-released | Cassette, CD-R (UK) https://www.discogs.com/master/1486763-Jon-Poole-Whats-The-Ugliest-Part-Of-Your-Body |
| Random Jon Poole | February 8, 2013 | Leafy Hand Records | CD, Digital (UK) https://www.discogs.com/release/4281808-Random-Jon-Poole-Random-Jon-Poole |