Good luck, Craig!
12/27/2005: Sorry for the long delay, but during these last few months, a lot has been going on with Tri-Polar. A while ago, Brian announced of a Tri-Polar hiatus and his temporary departure of the band. Whether or not this situation will be resolved is up in the air. A few fans reported that members of Tri-Polars were allegedly found at some parties, but the band did not perform (I do not have an official confirmation of these reports yet). However, Brian stated that the band isn't calling it quits. For the time being, they are just taking a break. Should there be more news about Tri-Polar, MU will let you know!
9/14/2005: HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY TO CRAIG MONTOYA!!!
Also, welcome to the new Montoya Universe! Sorry for the delay and everything, but from I finally got all the bugs worked out! Enjoy and have a great time here at MU!
5/27/2005: Tri-Polar's self-titled album is released today. To get your copy, go to www.tripolarmusic.com!
5/11/2005: After updating their main website, Tri-Polar has announced the COMPLETE tracklist for the self-titled debut album (MU and Tri-Polar Nation will have lyrics available ASAP):
"Where Do We Go"
"If This Wreck Will Roll"
"Let It Die"
"Cutters"
"Puppets"
"Let Me Know You're There"
"Let's Get High"
"Glide"
"F*** Buddy"
"Wigga Please"
"Walk All Over You" (AC/DC cover)
Currently, full clips of "Where Do We Go" and "If This Wreck Will Roll" are available for your listening pleasure at Tri-Polar's site.
Also, don't forget the record release concert on the 27th! If you're 21 and over planning to attend to this show, remember: great deal on the alcohol, a heavy metal karokee contest, and models from FatalBeauty.com. You can also have a chance at winning a guitar or a free tattoo. This will be sponsored by FatalBeauty.com. PBR (you Portlanders know what that mean), and Guitar Center.
5/8/2005: This afternoon, Craig announced at Hungry and Hollow that the new Tri-Polar record is done! It's heavy, but not heavy metal... And on a side note, bombastic (those who are part of the H&H know what I'm talking about)! You can purchase the album on either Tri-Polar's site and on Amazon.com. MU will have the complete track listing and lyrics ASAP... Probably after the site is done with its face-lift this summer.
4/28/3005: In case you haven't HEARD, Scotty has left Tri-Polar due to some personal reasons. He will be replayed by former Red Sector guitarist Kevin Hahn. This does not mean the band will postpone the release date and concert next month.
Speaking of which, Tri-Polar has announced several songs that HAVE made it to the final cut. Here are 7 known songs as off right now:
"Wigga Please"
"Cutters"
"Let's Get High"
"Let It Die"
"Where Do We Go"
"Glide"
"F*** Buddy"
I am so STOKED to hear the album now!!!
3/23/2005: Craig has put 6 basses and 2 electric guitars he has owned over the years on eBay this week. Prices for the bids are ranged from $100 to $800 (amps are not included), but only two bids have been made as set bids. He might sign the winning basses/guitars or even let the entire band sign them. The money that Craig receives will be going toward the promotion of Tri-Polar's album, so this is for a good cause! You have until Monday night or Tuesday to place your bid. No word yet about shipping and handling charges. He also wants to give away some of his smashed basses, but he is still cluess as of what he should do! If you live in the Portland area, Craig is planning to give away one of his other basses at the record release party.
You know... The black Fender looks quite appealing to me... I'm going to go for it this weekend.
3/18/2005: Write this one on your calendars: Tri-Polar will be having a record release concert on Friday, May 27, 2005 at Sabalas Mt. Tabor in Portland, OR (I'm guessing since the band has played at Sabalas before, this will be 21+ only). Not only will it be concert to promote the Tri-Polar album, it will also be "benefit" for the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, which has been supporting the band and been also trying to spread the word. No word yet about the supporting acts and exact times. It has been said the record will be available online and offline the week of this concert. Thanks, Eric Hellzer for posting this at Tri-Polar's message board!
03/15/05: This might not be surprising for some of you, but pardon me for my laziness. Brian of Tri-Polar recently stated that the first Tri-Polar album will be released this May with about 11 or 12 tracks total. As mentioned before, Craig and the boys will be putting together the track list, and it sounds like these songs are what Tri-Polar really is: rock, rock, and rock (okay, as long as they sound like they are single-worthy, we'll be happy). Even better news: the band will add a bonus track, and it has been said that the track will be their cover of AC/DC's "Walk All Over You." Tri-Polar is debating if they should send out advanced copies to current webmasters and fans/street teams. They're also debating over the album's title! HURRY UP, GUYS!
02/25/05: After a third attempt of recording the last song for their record, Tri-Polar has announced to release all their songs instead of a demo. Only a few songs will not be available, and touring, especially outside of the West Coast, will not be on the agenda until the band is signed onto a label (and Craig has been lazy about the shopping part, tsk tsk). The record and some merchandise will soon be accessible, and expect Tri-Polar's official website to have a different look too!
Also, check out Craig's story of the flat tire after the Ashland show last month in his journal.
02/03/05: Members of Tri-Polar went into the studio to do auditions for the film Bigger Than Jesus this afternoon. Craig Montoya was to sing as James Hetfield of Metallica. Brian Lehfeldt was to sing as the controversial KISS bassist Gene Simmons. Scotty Heard was to sing as Robert Plant. Also to appear at the auditions were Eric Hellzer of Drumattica (Brian's other band) and Storm Large of Storm and the Balls. No word yet how the musicians did.
Also, Craig will be playing with Jason Demain Saturday night. Check Jason's site for more information
01/04/05: After a long break, Tri-Polar is back in the works! Craig has announced two songs "Where Do We Go" and "Cutter." There is a problem: the band is debating if they should keep writing or work with what they've got . Also, expect an album in the very near future. ;)
11/20/2004: As Tri-Polar awaits in the mixing process, Craig and a new band will be doing a free rock show Monday, November 22, 2004 at the Viper Room at 9:30PM in Portland, OR. This new band includes Jason Demain of Camaro Hair, Ryan of All the Dead Horses, and Jinxx of Debris.
Viper Room
720 SE Hawthorne Boulveard
Portland, OR
10/5/2004: Everclear, Craig's former band, has released The Best of Everclear: Ten Years Gone, a compilation album full of Everclear's personal best songs and several well-known singles, including two recordings from the Slow Motion Daydream era. If you aren't an Everclear fan but would like to hear some earlier stuff from Craig, this album is for you!
9/23/2004: Check out Tri-Polar's new song "F*** Buddy" at the band's official website or their new page at MySpace.com!
Also, if you haven't, add Craig and Brian to your MySpace Buddy List!
9/14/2004: HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY TO CRAIG MONTOYA, THE COOLEST AND BAD@$$ BASSIST OF TRI-POLAR!!! :D
9/13/2004: Tri-Polar now has a spot on MySpace.com! You must become a registered member (free registration) in order to interact with other fans. Click here to view the page!
Less than 24 hours to go, Craig...
9/2/2004: Tri-Polar has a live video format of "This Wreck Will Roll" from the 8/28 show at the Roseland Theater at their official site. Check it out!
Also, don't forget Craig's 34th birthday is on the 14th! ;)
8/19/2004: Tri-Polar's website is officially finished. There are many pictures, a journal entry, and a message board. Go to the Montoya Universe Links page to check out Tri-Polar's site!
8/7/2004: Craig has announced several songs that have been recently recorded this past week:
"Let It Die"
"If This Wreck Will Roll"
"Wigga Please"
"Opener" (This song has Scotty Heard on lead, but the title is to be changed)
"Glide"
"Let Me Know You're There"
"Right Time As Always"
Also, Tri-Polar's main site should be completed within in the next three weeks! :) And in case you haven't heard, the boys didn't win the Battle of the Bands, but the winner happened to be a band Brian helped produce! At least they got some promotion.
7/27/2004: You can catch Tri-Polar's chance at the Battle of the Bands tonight at:
KUFO's Home Grown Hunt Finals
Tuesday, July 27, 8PM
Roseland Theater
8 NW 6th Ave.
Portland, OR
(503) 219-9929
And for all you local men out there, judges will include girls from Playboy TV's Weekend Flash. Good luck, boys!
7/26/2004: Tri-Polar is now one of the final 5 bands to perform at the Mayhem in the Meadows II's Battle of the Bands tomorrow night. If they win, they will play at the festival July 28th as the opening act. Good luck, Tri!
7/22/2004: At White Lightning, Brian Lehfeldt has said that Tri-Polar is getting ready to record (hopefully) 5 new tunes this week, including "Wigga Please," "F***buddy" (pardon the French edit), and "This Wreck Will Roll." One of these many new songs might be on the starter page at Tri-Polar's website soon!
7/20/2004: Tri-Polar is now one of the twelve finalists of the Battle of the Bands to perform with Slipknot and Slayer at the Mayhem in the Meadows! Check out the related thread at the Montoya Universe Message Boards for more information!
7/10/2004: Unfortunately, Tri-Polar wasn't able to record their new songs Tuesday due to Brian's illness (he was almost sent to the ER). Get well, Brian! Tri-Polar is now shooting for studio time next week.
7/6/2004: Tri-Polar began recording three (or four) new songs today!
7/1/2004: Tri-Polar is planning to record 3 new songs to add onto their first 5 originals. Thanks to Anthony/meeker for the info!
6/13/2004: Tri-Polar has recently added a new song called "Glide" at their site! REALLY GOOD!!! Also, expect new stuff in the near future. (Days, weeks, months... Who knows?)
5/22/2004: Check out Tri-Polar's first song "Let Me Know You're There" at Tri-Polar's website! It has MU's stamp of approval!
5/15/2004: In Brian's post at White Lightning, Tri-Polar should have their site up next month (fans can see the starter page only at this moment). They also just finished 2 new songs and will most likely post one of them on the site. Also, expect some shows in the PDX area this summer.
5/13/2004: According to the webmaster of Scotty Heard.com, the name Tri-Polar is here to stay!
5/11/2004: Well, unfortunately, Stripsearch is NOT Craig's band name. There is another group that uses it, but Craig and co. have narrowed it down pretty much. MU should be getting more information about it pretty soon.
5/6/2004: Craig Montoya has officially announced his new band's name today: Stripsearch. Sounds like one of Craig's brilliant creations.
4/30/2004: Craig and the gang will be holding a gig tonight at Devils' Point Bar in Portland tonight, but you will need to give the bar a call for the time.
Devils Point Bar
5305 SE Foster Rd
Portland, OR 97206
Phone: (503) 774-4513
4/26/2004: Attention all Portlanders, there might be a possible gig with Craig's band this weekend. Craig is waiting for a response from a club owner.
As for the show from last weekend, Craig said that the fan base was impressed, even though he nearly passed out on stage because he was so nervous. But this was the trio's first concert in public. Congrats, guys!
4/25/2004: During this weekend, Craig and his band held a surprise concert in Washington to promote their music. Still nameless, the trio performed ten songs, including an AC/DC song called "Walk All Over You." No word about the fan attendance.
3/24/2004: A few days ago, drummer Brian Lehfeldt dropped a word at White Lightning that the band has recorded their four-track demo. All they have to do now is to go "window shopping" for record labels! :) Also, they're still nameless!
3/11/2004: According to the update on Craig and his band, the group narrowed their demo down to four songs. Everything is recorded, and Scotty will be singing one song, while Craig performs the rest. They will be mixing it for a few days, and Craig might be going to Los Angeles to talk to some manager and labels. Good news, though. He is currently writing new songs and finishing lyrics for recorded songs. There is a problem: Craig needs help for a good name for the band. Got one? Give it to MU to add to The List of Possible Band Names!
3/8/2004: In late February 2004, Everclear bassist Craig Montoya announced his departure of the Portland, Oregon, trio. He will not be returning to the Grammy-nominated band any time soon. Instead, he will be fronting his own band, including former Everclear touring percussionist Brian Lehfeldt on drums and guitarist Scotty Heard (both Brian and Scotty were part of the band Sweaty Nipples). Craig will continue doing bass but, in addition, he will also do lead vocals (it has been reported that Scotty will do a few songs on lead too). The group is more of a heavy rock band with a mix of Queens of the Stone Age + Melvins + AC/DC + Soundgarden, but, ironically, nothing like them! The band's official name is yet to be released.