Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 15, 1998
Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz had a strange reaction when he saw himself starring as the male lead in his buddy Jewel’s video. He shaved his head.
“I was in a bar in Boston when the video came on and I thought, `God, Jewel looks great, but who’s this stupid guy?’ ” said Poltz, phoning from an airport in Montreal. “I just cringed. Then I went and cut all my hair off. It seemed like the right thing to do.”
Still, MTV and VH1 liked the video for “You Were Meant for Me” – which Poltz co-wrote with Jewel – so much that the cable music channels gave the pretty song plenty of air time.
Touring to promote his solo debut album “One Left Shoe,” Poltz – who also fronts the Rugburns – returns to Chicago for a concert Wednesday at Schubas. The show will be videotaped for a future VH1 special.
“VH1 asked me where I wanted to film the show and I said at Schubas in Chicago,” he said. “Chicago is my home away from home. I just really like the crowds. The audiences are always really attentive and it’s a great place to play.”
Known as much for his marathon-long sets as his confessional songs, Poltz said the downside of being the opening act – as he was touring with Bob Dylan and Luka Bloom – is that he only gets 40 minutes to play.
“I’m kind of a long distance runner,” he said. “I start hitting my pace after the 1 1/2 hour mark. I’ve never been a sprinter. I just like doing my kind of show, which is why I like headlining. I don’t care if it’s for a small crowd, because numbers don’t mean anything to me. All I care about is if it’s religious for me.”
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Poltz grew up in Pasadena and Palm Springs, Calif. After studying political science at the University of San Diego, Poltz set up residence in San Diego.
“I hold two passports, so if a hostage situation breaks, I become Canadian really fast,” he said, laughing. “Since Christmas, I’ve spent just three nights in my own apartment. I’ve been to Paris, Hamburg, Stockholm, everywhere. I like playing live and in different cities, but I wish I could beam myself to the cities rather than get in another van again. And I swear I’ll go postal if I ever see another Hardee’s.”
It’s times like that he wishes he had his stash of Pepperidge Farm cookies on the road with him. Speaking of which . . .
“When I was recording my album, I would get those cookies and put them in the kitchen next to the studio for everyone,” Poltz recalled. “All of the sudden, this guy walks in, and I’m thinking it’s a homeless guy. He’s kinda overweight and unshaven, and he just shuffled in saying, `Mmmmm, cookies,’ and kind of jammed his hand into the cookie box. I was kinda scared until I realized, `Oh my God, that’s Brian Wilson!’
“I said, `Hi, my name’s Steve Poltz and it’s really an honor to meet you.’ And he ignored me and turned around and shuffled out.”
Laughing, Poltz added, “I don’t think he ever heard any words I said. That was so great.”
