Interview: John Polydoros (Small Doses)

As the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation in WNC approaches, the community is still reckoning with all that was lost — and all that was revealed. The storm brought immeasurable trauma, but it also showcased the region’s resilience. 

In the days and months that followed, grassroots organizations, independent venues, and compassionate neighbors became lifelines. Few embodied that spirit more fully than BeLoved Asheville, the local nonprofit that has long worked to expand food access, affordable housing, racial equity, healthcare, and other vital community needs. Their response in the aftermath of Helene was nothing short of extraordinary.

That example of solidarity sparked inspiration in Asheville’s creative community as well. Local punk band Small Doses — led by WNC natives Matt Aycock (drums) and John Polydoros (vocals/guitar) — wanted to turn that spirit into action. The result is Still Here Fest, a two-day music event taking place at Fleetwood’s on Friday, Sept. 19-Saturday, Sept. 20. With proceeds supporting BeLoved, the event isn’t just a showcase of local talent, but a celebration of survival, resilience, and the power of community to rebuild together.

Each night features five standout bands from the region. Friday’s lineup includes On The Block, Billy Bats & The Made Men, Tiny TVs, Pinkeye, and Madder Max. Saturday showcases Fantomex, The Jesus Casino, Small Doses, Night!Night!, and Hologi.

Ahead of the festival, Asheville Stages spoke with Polydoros about the origins of Still Here Fest, BeLoved’s wide-reaching impact, and the importance of community.

Jonny Leather: How did Still Here Fest first come together?

John Polydoros: Pre-Helene, Matt and I had always wanted to create something of our own. We had decided that instead of waiting around to be part of something, we would make that something on our own — a festival that we would curate ourselves, book ourselves, and use as an opportunity to expand our community of bands beyond WNC. 

Before we had the chance to realize that goal, Helene struck. From that moment on, the idea became more than just a fest or a show, but a celebration, an acknowledgement of the strength and perseverance we were seeing every day from the Asheville community, as well as the rest of WNC. For us, no one embodied that more than the creatives of Asheville and BeLoved Asheville. Still Here Fest is a celebration of those folks.

JL: The phrase “Still Here” carries a lot of weight. What does it mean to you, and what’s impressed you most about Asheville’s resilience?

JP: I think a lot of us are still unpacking our own traumas surrounding Helene. I know that survivor's guilt is a very real thing. Being one of those who are still here can carry a heavy weight, but in being one of those who are still here, we have an obligation to continue on, to honor their memories, and celebrate the lives we still have. Watching how the Asheville community came together in the aftermath of the storm was a testament to that sentiment. 

What impressed me the most was how quickly the city (and this is also true for a lot of WNC) banded together — gas runs, food and clothing drives, people driving in tanks of water. People opened up their homes and lives to strangers and neighbors. It is very easy to die a slow, painful death [brought on by] cynicism, but I really thought this moment, despite the breadth of the tragedy we were all experiencing, was a shining example of what people are really capable of when we are at our best as a community.

JL: BeLoved played such a huge role in the aftermath of Helene. Did you have any personal connection with them, whether through volunteering or direct support?

JP: I was aware of BeLoved before the storm, and I had a deep admiration for what they do. Watching them post-Helene, the impact they were having, and the compassion with which they were doing it only strengthened that admiration. Still Here Fest was conceived to draw attention to the work these wonderful people do and raise some money to help keep that beautiful machine going. 

JL: Did you all grow up here in WNC?

JP: For the most part, yes. Matt and I were in our first band together 30-some odd years ago in McDowell County. We had literally no clue what we were doing, how to tune instruments, or what key we were in. We covered The Misfits and Helmet songs poorly and had a blast doing it. I moved away for about 25 years and then moved back to my hometown area [in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic]. Shortly after, Matt and I started up Small Doses, our first band together in three decades. I like to think we are a little better at our instruments now, but that's probably debatable.

JL: The flooding hit a lot of bands and venues hard — how did it impact you personally?

JP: It was a rough several weeks for recovery in my area. It was the same experience many people had: scarce resources, no water or electricity for weeks. We have several large trees on our property. We were exceptionally fortunate that none of them fell and caused any damage. In the end, for me, I was lucky that, despite being without all the comforts we take for granted, I personally didn't lose nearly as much as others. I work in my small hometown, and the hardest part of the experience was seeing the devastation it had on the community there.

JL: Punk, and independent music more broadly, has such deep activist roots. How do you see that tradition continuing in Asheville’s scene today?

JP: Asheville is such an incredible city for activism. There are few places in this state, let alone our country, where folks put their money where their mouths are when it comes to what they believe in. Inclusivity isn't a chore here; it's a way of life. Diversity is seen as a strength —, it's celebrated and encouraged. Bands like On The Block, for example, are precisely the outspoken and brash activist punks that we clearly need right now to meet the moment we currently find ourselves in. 

JL: DIY spaces and independent venues have always been crucial for punk and underground music. How important have they been in Asheville’s recovery and resilience?

JP: I think anything that makes you feel like life is getting back to some kind of "normal" is a good thing. Music, especially live music, played a huge role in returning that normalcy to everyone's lives. People can talk about how healing music is to the point of almost a cliché, but when you actually see it in action — you actually see people heal in front of you — you know it's more than a cliché. That healing wouldn't have been possible without these venues reopening their doors, many of which were staging grounds or donation centers after the storm. 

There are so many terrific venues in Asheville, each run by some of the best folks you could ask for. For us, Fleetwood's was the first venue to welcome us with open arms, so we very much wanted them to be a part of Still Here Fest.

JL: What moments since the storm have stood out to you as signs of hope or solidarity?

JP: Honestly, that first morning after the storm. I drove to a nearby Wal-Mart grocery store because it was one of the few remaining areas with cell service, and I sat there for a few hours, charging my phone in my car and talking to people. The road, just a half mile away, was completely underwater as far back as I could see. Just watching and listening to people offer each other help, or just their sympathy to the other's struggles, was a moment unlike any I had ever experienced. 

In the following days, I'd watch as people would offer help, run supplies, and provide food and shelter to one another. And for a brief moment, you kind of got to see what the world would really be like if we focused on each other, and what we can do to meet each other's needs, instead of what can we take out of this world. 

JL: It’s a strong lineup of local acts. Have you noticed a deeper sense of camaraderie within the scene since the storm?

JP: For us, and the ever-widening circle of bands we play with, absolutely. Truly, some of the first people I saw making a real difference in the immediate aftermath were the musician and artist communities. These were the folks on the frontlines of everything — organizing, donating, volunteering their time. Asheville has a collection of truly unique and insanely talented folks, of which we are lucky to be a small part. We are excited to bring a small sampling of that talent to Still Here Fest.

IF YOU GO

Who: Still Here Fest
Friday: On The Block + Billy Bats & The Made Men + Tiny TVs + Pinkeye + Madder Max. Saturday: Fantomex + The Jesus Casino + Small Doses + Night!Night! + Hologi
When: Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m.
Where: Fleetwood’s, 496 Haywood Rd., fleetwoodschapel.com
Tickets: $12 each day

(Photo of Small Doses by Geddi Monroe)