Vernal Pool was originally formed in May of 2000. At this time, the name of the band was Constructive Interference. The original members of Constructive Interference were Chris Lechowicz(from the Healers), Brandon Walker(from Dr. Robert and The Dead Musicians Society), Heather Walker, Mario McDermott and Shane Johnson. We played at Booby's, Boo Jr's and the Evergreen Terrace Appreciation Day that summer. In September of 2000, we answered an ad in the Nightlife for a female singer looking for a band. This person was Sarah Werntz. In October, Sarah joined the band. Over the winter we played at Boo Jr.'s, and Hangar 9. In March of 2001, we decided to look for a new guitar player/male vocalist because Mario was leaving for Texas in May. We added Andy Waldron from The Dead Musicains Society and Minimum Wage in April of 2001. We played at Boo Jr.'s, the Carbondale Pavillion, Dental Hygiene Banquet, Booby's, Hangar 9 and the AHC Benefit Concert with Andy. The name of the band was changed to Vernal Pool in early April because Mario, who was leaving, came up with the name and might want to use it in Texas. At the end of August of 2001, Andy Waldron had to leave the band to fulfill school obligations. At this time, Andy talked to the lead guitarist of the disbanded Jenny's Way Out to see if he would be intersested in joing Vernal Pool. Aaron agreed to become the new lead guitarist of Vernal Pool. So the current members are Chris Lechowicz, Brandon Walker, Heather Walker, Shane Johnson, Sarah Werntz and Aaron Barber.
What is a vernal pool?
A vernal pool is a temporay pond that is formed in the spring by melting snow and ice. There are many vernal pool's in Southern Illinois.These ponds are an essential part of the life cycle of many native animals. Many salamanders and frogs use these pools to lay their eggs in so that the larva can grow without being predated on by fish. These ponds only last for a month or two and that is why fish are not able to survive in them. These amphibian larva are in a race to transform from an aquatic "fish like" state(with gills) into a breathing(with lungs), terrestrial state before the pond dries up. Our band is a lot like the animals living in a vernal pool. We are all students at SIU and Logan and most of us are only here for a short time. We are racing, like the salamanders, to make our mark on this town before we mature(graduate) and have to leave. |
