Galen Polivka (Born December 31, 1970) is the bassist and oldest member of The Hold Steady at 40. He is a native of Wisconsin. His prior musical experience included the band "Punchdrunk". Galen ("Gales") still pulls the occasional shift at the band's watering hole "Hi-Fi Bar" in the East Village. He was married to Vanessa Bailey.
Galen is a fan favorite, known for his rock solid bass lines and throwing dollar bills into the audience at show's end. Fans can often catch Gales pre-show by hanging where smokers congregate.