‘Can We Stop Trying To Win?’ first single from the upcoming album to be released later this year.

‘Can We Stop Trying To Win?’ was born out of frustration with the competitive winner-take-all paradigm that has us at each other’s throats when we could be working together to make things better overall. This is the first single from the upcoming album to be released later this year. Ten Foot Pole’s friendly/approachable vibe, relatable lyrics, conversational stage banter and extensive touring have led to a modest but very devoted fanbase.

Ten Foot Pole is:

Dennis Jagard, lead vocals and rhythm guitars

Scott Hallquist, lead guitars

Richie Petrillo, bass guitar

Guillaume Fortin, drums

Ten Foot Pole originated as Nardcore (Oxnard hardcore scene) band Scared Straight, with an ill-fated first US tour in 1985 with Ill Repute, which ended early in Pittsburgh due to the car and both bands’ gear getting stolen. The straight-edge vibe uptight sounding title was swapped for the more fun Ten Foot Pole moniker in 1993, just before the first European tour—many copies of the ‘Swill’ album from that tour have Scared Straight scratched out or covered by a TFP sticker, a typical DIY move, fit for a band that played in squats, bars and youth centers. The album ‘Rev’, released on Epitaph Records in 1994, and touring with NOFX and Face To Face, caught the attention of the 90’s punk fans that preferred not-quite-radio-friendly tunes and DIY shows. Dennis Jagard, the principle songwriter/guitarist, took over singing duties from Chicago White Sox baseball pitcher Scott Radinsky, allowing the band to tour relentlessly for a decade, as well as churning out more underground favorite albums such as ‘Unleashed’, ‘Insider’, ‘Bad Mother Trucker’ and ‘Subliminable Messages’—a staggering collection of double-time beats, power chords and punk anthems.