Poker Face first hit the Lehigh Valley in 1989 playing venues such as the Airport Music
Hall, Zodiac Club and the Pascal Club (now Irv's Gentleman's Club). In 1992, the band
released its first album, Game of Love, and embarked on a lifelong career of music and
mayhem. Throughout it all, they played for Presidential candidates and hardcore rock'n
rollers, shared the stage with dozens of nationals and hundreds of unknowns, worked with
the best in the industry and the worst of humanity. Now, 20 years later, their 5th full
length album, "Peace or War," has just been released with no intentions of slowing down.
After the debut of Game of Love, Poker Face set out on a mission to strengthen the Lehigh
Valley music scene by getting local artists, venues and enthusiasts to come together.
The "Just Do Me" bash was born and continued for 5 consecutive years featuring multiple
bands performing over several days. This was followed up with three Rocktober bashes and
continued into the next millennium with two years of hosting the Backyard Buzz weekly
showcase and four years of BeLeVe (Best of the Lehigh Valley) festivals.
Early on, the band pushed to get their music out to a larger audience with showcases in
Philadelphia and New York City. Playing on the success of their festivals and the "do it
yourself" mentality, trips to the Big Apple grew to include several bands packing up to 4
full tour buses.
During all of this, two more albums had been released: Next "1996 and Sex, Lies &
Politiks" 2000. The flavor of the music was still thick with harmonies and intricate in
form, however, the message had changed from one of pop-love to that of questioning
authority and shedding light on the dark underbelly of national politics. The band was
now travelling more extensively throughout the Mid Atlantic region and became a staple at
protest rallies and freedom based events in Washington DC.
With the completion of their 4th album, "Made In America," Poker Face had now bought a
beat up old motor home on E-bay and was playing in over 20 states throughout the country.
They were getting airplay on hundreds of college stations and lead singer, Paul Topete,
was now writing freelance for American Free Press.
In an effort to produce new material in a timely fashion, the band invested in their own
studio equipment. Unfortunately, the learning curve was not anticipated and crashing
computers necessitated the recording of the full album three times. A Presidential
election also diverted the studio efforts as the band was constantly requested to play in
support of Ron Paul in every part of the country from Sturgis, SD to Clearwater, FL.
During this marathon project, new relationships were forged. The band had the
opportunity to write with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and mix at Seattle's Robert
Lang Studios (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains) with producer Toby Wright (Alice In
Chains, Metallica, Bob Marley, Ozzy Osbourne and 100s more). The finishing touches were
put on their 2009 album, "Peace or War," and a sneak peek release occurred this October
with shows near St Louis, MO and Louisville, KY.
With 20 years under their belt, Poker Face is just getting started. Just wait and see
what will unfold with 20 more.
The members of Poker Face wish to thank the LVMA staff for this recognition and their
continued support of Lehigh Valley artists.
"Poker Face" www.pokerface.com
Paul Topete
Dennis Beidler
Brett Griffiths
