Nick Pollock
Nicholas Pollock (born November 22, 1967) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter from Seattle, Washington, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the grunge band My Sister's Machine, which he co-founded in 1989.[1] Pollock began his music career in the mid-1980s as part of the Seattle rock scene, serving as lead guitarist in Alice 'n Chains, an early glam metal band that included future Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley on vocals, Johnny Bacolas on bass, and James Bergstrom on drums; the group formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1988.[1] Following this, he formed My Sister's Machine with guitarist Owen Wright, bassist Chris Ivanovich, and drummer Chris Gohde, releasing the albums Diva in 1992 on Caroline Records and Wallflower in 1993 on Elektra Records; the band toured extensively in the United States and Europe, appeared in three MTV Headbanger's Ball videos, and disbanded in 1994 amid the evolving grunge landscape.[1][2] After My Sister's Machine, Pollock pursued several projects, including the hard rock band Tanks of Zen, which he started in 2000 and for which he recorded the unreleased album American Hangover that year and the full-length Love's Gentle Maw in 2011 on Headless Records.[1] In 2001, he joined Soulbender alongside Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton, contributing vocals and guitar to their self-titled album released in 2004 before departing in 2007.[3][1] In 2015, he formed The National Guard, with whom he released the album Death Blossom in 2020, and has maintained an active presence in Seattle's local music community.[4][5]Early life
Upbringing
Nicholas Pollock was born on November 22, 1967, in Washington state, near the Seattle area.[6] Information on his family background remains scarce.Education and musical beginnings
Nick Pollock grew up in the Seattle suburbs, immersing himself in the vibrant local music environment that would shape his artistic path.[7] He was raised in Renton, Washington.[6] During his high school years in the mid-1980s, Pollock began his musical endeavors by taking up the guitar and performing in informal groups, marking his entry into performance amid the Pacific Northwest's burgeoning creative scene.[7] This period coincided with the rise of punk and metal influences in Seattle, where raw energy and heavy sounds from local acts inspired young musicians like Pollock to experiment with rock elements.[8] He graduated from Lindbergh High School in Renton, Washington, in 1986.) These formative experiences in school bands and casual jam sessions fostered Pollock's passion for guitar-driven music, setting the stage for his deeper involvement in the regional underground circuit.[7]Career
Alice N' Chains
Alice N' Chains was formed in 1986 in Seattle, Washington, with Nick Pollock serving as lead guitarist alongside vocalist Layne Staley, bassist Johnny Bacolas, and drummer James Bergstrom.[9] The band initially operated under the name Sleze before adopting Alice N' Chains, drawing from Pollock's high school experiences jamming with friends that honed his glam-influenced guitar style.[9] Playing in the glam metal genre, they emphasized theatrical performances and covers of hard rock acts, reflecting the vibrant local club scene of mid-1980s Seattle.[10] In 1987, Alice N' Chains recorded several demos that captured their energetic, hair metal sound, including tracks performed in drag for local videos like the 1987 "Father Rock" appearance.[9] The group toured extensively in the Seattle area through 1987, playing venues such as the Tacoma Little Theatre on May 1, 1987, and Kane Hall at the University of Washington on June 6, 1987, often incorporating elaborate stage antics with female dancers to engage audiences.[10][11] Their final performance occurred on August 5, 1987, marking the end of their active run.[9] A pivotal moment in the band's history came in the summer of 1987 when Pollock introduced Staley to guitarist Jerry Cantrell at a party, forging a creative partnership that directly led to the formation of Alice in Chains later that year.[9] This connection highlighted Pollock's role as a bridge in Seattle's emerging music network. The band disbanded in August 1987 amid shifting musical tastes, as members pursued directions aligned with the rising grunge aesthetic over glam metal.[9][11]My Sister's Machine
My Sister's Machine released two studio albums during its original run in the early 1990s. The debut album, Diva, was issued in 1992 by Caroline Records and produced by Ronnie S. Champagne alongside the band members.[12] Recorded at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, Washington, the album features a grunge and alternative metal sound characterized by heavy riffs and melodic elements.[13] It did not achieve notable chart performance.[14] The full tracklist for Diva is as follows:| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hands and Feet | Wright, Pollock | 3:58 |
| 2 | Pain | Wright, Pollock | 2:21 |
| 3 | I Hate You | Wright, Pollock | 3:39 |
| 4 | Wasting Time | Wright, Pollock, Ivanovich | 5:08 |
| 5 | Love at High Speed | Wright, Pollock | 4:21 |
| 6 | I'm Sorry | Wright, Pollock | 3:28 |
| 7 | Walk All Over You | Wright, Pollock | 3:48 |
| 8 | Sunday | Wright, Pollock | 3:59 |
| 9 | Monster Box | Wright, Pollock | 2:55 |
| 10 | Diva | Pollock | 5:05 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inside of Me | Pollock, Wright | 3:49 |
| 2 | Broken Land | Pollock, Wright | 3:16 |
| 3 | This Is Fear | Pollock, Wright | 3:33 |
| 4 | Steamy Swamp Thang | Pollock, Wright | 5:23 |
| 5 | Feed | Gohde, Ivanovich, Pollock, Wright | 3:33 |
| 6 | Empty Room | Pollock, Wright | 5:08 |
| 7 | 16 Ways to Go | Ivanovich, Pollock, Wright | 3:01 |
| 8 | Enemy | Ivanovich, Pollock, Wright | 3:27 |
| 9 | I Slip Away | Pollock, Wright | 3:18 |
| 10 | Burn | Pollock, Wright | 3:37 |
| 11 | Mockingbird | Pollock | 4:04 |
| 12 | Cracking New Ground | Pollock, Wright | 4:32 |
Tanks of Zen
Pollock formed the hard rock band Tanks of Zen in 2000, recording the unreleased album American Hangover that year. Tanks of Zen's sole studio album, Love's Gentle Maw, was released in 2011 on Headless Records.[19] The album, self-produced by the band following a crowdfunding campaign to fund mixing, features eleven tracks centered on themes of relationships.[20] No singles were issued from the release.[21] The full tracklist is as follows: [21] As of 2025, no additional albums have been released by the project, and no documented unreleased material exists.[22]Soulbender
Soulbender, formed in 2001, released its debut self-titled studio album in 2004 through Licking Lava Records.[23] The album features progressive hard rock elements and was produced by Eric Janko and the band itself, with mastering handled by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering.[24] Key contributors included Nick Pollock on vocals, Michael Wilton and Dave Groves on guitars, Marten Van Keith on bass, and Wes Hallam on drums.[24] The tracklist for Soulbender (2004) is as follows:- "Fix Me" – 4:40
- "Clockwork and Compass" – 3:34
- "Rabbit Hole" – 4:32
- "The American Dream" – 6:43
- "Samsara" – 3:06
- "Prime Time" – 3:24
- "Shoot Poem" – 6:20
- "This Ocean" – 4:07
- "Hunger" – 5:33
- "Three Towers" – 6:59[23]
- "Turn Anger Up" – 3:27
- "Shoal" – 6:30
- "Slave to Reality" – 3:35
- "Seraphim" – 6:35
- "Fix Me" – 4:40
- "Clockwork and Compass" – 3:34
- "Rabbit Hole" – 4:32
- "The American Dream" – 6:43
- "Samsara" – 3:06
- "Prime Time" – 3:24
- "Shoot Poem" – 6:20
- "This Ocean" – 4:07
- "Hunger" – 5:33
- "Three Towers" – 6:59[25]
The National Guard
The National Guard, formed in 2015 by Nick Pollock along with bassist Nick Rhinehart and drummer Erin Tate, debuted with the EP Wheel on November 7, 2017, via Rocket Heart Records.[26] The EP features two tracks:| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheel | 4:44 |
| 2 | Inauguration Day | 4:53 |
| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Whole in Us | 6:19 |
| 2 | Bored | 3:52 |
| 3 | Fire Sermon | 4:27 |
| 4 | Death Blossom | 4:00 |
| 5 | I'm a Trigger (She's a Weapon) | 4:13 |
| 6 | Inauguration Day | 4:53 |
| 7 | Dopamine | 4:16 |
| 8 | Wheel | 4:44 |
| 9 | This World | 4:55 |
| 10 | Coda | 5:44 |
Other musical projects
In addition to his primary band affiliations, Pollock provided guest vocals on the track "Silvertongue" from the Irish rock band Sundance Crow's self-released EP Silvertongue, issued as a free digital download in January 2010.[30] Pollock has participated in Seattle-area grunge revival and tribute events, including a performance with the tribute band Jar of Flies at the 2017 Layne Staley Tribute concert held at the Moore Theatre, where he sang Alice in Chains' "Would?" as part of the annual benefit for the Layne Staley Fund.[31] While Pollock has engaged in occasional informal collaborations with local Seattle musicians during the 2010s and early 2020s, often in jam sessions or one-off appearances tied to the regional rock scene, he has not released any major solo recordings or pursued extensive side projects beyond these guest involvements.[32]Discography
My Sister's Machine
My Sister's Machine released two studio albums during its original run in the early 1990s. The debut album, Diva, was issued in 1992 by Caroline Records and produced by Ronnie S. Champagne alongside the band members.[12] Recorded at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, Washington, the album features a grunge and alternative metal sound characterized by heavy riffs and melodic elements.[13] It did not achieve notable chart performance.[14] The full tracklist for Diva is as follows:| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hands and Feet | Wright, Pollock | 3:58 |
| 2 | Pain | Wright, Pollock | 2:21 |
| 3 | I Hate You | Wright, Pollock | 3:39 |
| 4 | Wasting Time | Wright, Pollock, Ivanovich | 5:08 |
| 5 | Love at High Speed | Wright, Pollock | 4:21 |
| 6 | I'm Sorry | Wright, Pollock | 3:28 |
| 7 | Walk All Over You | Wright, Pollock | 3:48 |
| 8 | Sunday | Wright, Pollock | 3:59 |
| 9 | Monster Box | Wright, Pollock | 2:55 |
| 10 | Diva | Pollock | 5:05 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inside of Me | Pollock, Wright | 3:49 |
| 2 | Broken Land | Pollock, Wright | 3:16 |
| 3 | This Is Fear | Pollock, Wright | 3:33 |
| 4 | Steamy Swamp Thang | Pollock, Wright | 5:23 |
| 5 | Feed | Gohde, Ivanovich, Pollock, Wright | 3:33 |
| 6 | Empty Room | Pollock, Wright | 5:08 |
| 7 | 16 Ways to Go | Ivanovich, Pollock, Wright | 3:01 |
| 8 | Enemy | Ivanovich, Pollock, Wright | 3:27 |
| 9 | I Slip Away | Pollock, Wright | 3:18 |
| 10 | Burn | Pollock, Wright | 3:37 |
| 11 | Mockingbird | Pollock | 4:04 |
| 12 | Cracking New Ground | Pollock, Wright | 4:32 |
Tanks of Zen
Tanks of Zen's sole studio album, Love's Gentle Maw, was released in 2011 on Headless Records.[19] The album, self-produced by the band following a crowdfunding campaign to fund mixing, features eleven tracks centered on themes of relationships.[20] No singles were issued from the release.[21] The full tracklist is as follows:- Pure Land
- Alibi
- Skin Deep
- Sum
- Life Crisis
- Make Up!
- Another God
- Gravity
- Alana
- Bom
- Oh
Unreleased
American Hangover (2000)[33] As of 2025, no additional albums have been released by the project.[22]Soulbender
Soulbender, formed in 2001, released its debut self-titled studio album in 2004 through Licking Lava Records.[23] The album features progressive hard rock elements and was produced by Eric Janko and the band itself, with mastering handled by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering.[24] Key contributors included Nick Pollock on vocals, Michael Wilton and Dave Groves on guitars, Marten Van Keith on bass, and Wes Hallam on drums.[24] The tracklist for Soulbender (2004) is as follows:- "Fix Me" – 4:40
- "Clockwork and Compass" – 3:34
- "Rabbit Hole" – 4:32
- "The American Dream" – 6:43
- "Samsara" – 3:06
- "Prime Time" – 3:24
- "Shoot Poem" – 6:20
- "This Ocean" – 4:07
- "Hunger" – 5:33
- "Three Towers" – 6:59[23]
- "Turn Anger Up" – 3:27
- "Shoal" – 6:30
- "Slave to Reality" – 3:35
- "Seraphim" – 6:35
- "Fix Me" – 4:40
- "Clockwork and Compass" – 3:34
- "Rabbit Hole" – 4:32
- "The American Dream" – 6:43
- "Samsara" – 3:06
- "Prime Time" – 3:24
- "Shoot Poem" – 6:20
- "This Ocean" – 4:07
- "Hunger" – 5:33
- "Three Towers" – 6:59[25]
The National Guard
The National Guard, formed in 2015 by Nick Pollock along with bassist Nick Rhinehart and drummer Erin Tate, debuted with the EP Wheel on November 7, 2017, via Rocket Heart Records.[26] The EP features two tracks:| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheel | 4:44 |
| 2 | Inauguration Day | 4:53 |
| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Whole in Us | 6:19 |
| 2 | Bored | 3:52 |
| 3 | Fire Sermon | 4:27 |
| 4 | Death Blossom | 4:00 |
| 5 | I'm a Trigger (She's a Weapon) | 4:13 |
| 6 | Inauguration Day | 4:53 |
| 7 | Dopamine | 4:16 |
| 8 | Wheel | 4:44 |
| 9 | This World | 4:55 |
| 10 | Coda | 5:44 |