I went to celebrate a local Morgantown, WV artist, studio engineer, and genuinely cool and humble person, Mark Poole, on his birthday at 123 Pleasant Street. His band, Phantom Six, was playing alongside a new band from Wheeling, WV, called Exit Angles. My interactions with Mark have always been filled with love and mutual respect. I worked at his studio, Zone 8, in the past, which brings back memories of the days before digital recording, when engineers had to really know their craft to achieve great sound. Mark definitely knows his craft.
Although the studio typically feels geared more toward rock, punk, or metal, the hip-hop projects I worked on there were always a fantastic experience. Last year, me and Power Forward recorded at Zone 8, and the mixes Mark sent back sounded incredible! What I love most about Mark is his vibe; he is laid-back, but there’s just something about him that exudes the spirit of a great human being. I take great pride in the music history and scene we have in Morgantown, and Mark Poole has been instrumental in curating that scene for decades. That’s why I wanted to pay my respects and enjoy some great music.
What I didn’t expect was the opening band, Exit Angles. When I first walked into the venue, I mistakenly thought the lead singer was a friend of mine, and the lead singer played along, which only added to his coolness. I later realized he wasn’t who I thought he was—just my old memory playing tricks on me. However, the band completely blew me away with their unique sound and passion, and I became an immediate fan. I met up with my friend Brandi Irvon and his two sons to watch both bands perform. I even purchased some merch; it was a fantastic night. The birthday boy, the legend, is still showing us local musicians how it’s done!
