Perpetual Groove at Martyrs | Photos
Story by:
Justin Ward
Last Thursday night was a great night for me to choose to head over to Martyrs to see Perpetual Groove (thanks Shimon Presents). Whit was down to go with me, and I was smart and planned for a day-off the next day — you can’t ask for better “show conditions” than that…
Perpetual Groove is a jamband with a stupid name. I’m sorry, but it’s true. And I think the turnout that night could be slightly indicative that others are in agreement with me there. Maybe David Cross is in agreement on this one, also?
There was only about 20 people there when we showed up and the band came right on for the first set soon after. About 50 or so were there by the time we left (partly through the second set). There were moments of greatness in there where the band got into a great jam (dare I say…groove), but all in all, the show just fell flat. I think these guys have a huge potential built up, but their stage presence just didn’t blow me away at all.
Jambands rely on their rabid fans, a packed room, and a debacherous crowd. Simply put, that was nowhere near in effect on Thursday night when we saw them. I’ll have to give these guys another chance soon enough, and I’ll admit that this weighed heavily on my opinion to go see them again the next night or not. I figured it best to catch them on their next run through town after the stuff from their new album, Livelovedie, has been thoroughly digested.
Speaking of their new album, JamBase just posted their review of the album. The review calls their new album’s crossover appeal risky, whereas I’d probably say that it’s “smart” first and foremost. And here’s a live cut of one of my favorites off the new one…
- Perpetual Groove – Two Shores (live, 11/8/06) [mp3]
Read on for some more photos (or go to my full Flickr set here).
I’ve always found the Perpetual Groove name to be sadly appropriate. Their jams groove ad nauseum and never peak – quite annoying.
Hey guess what! WNEW is giving away tickets to see Perpetual Groove in concert- check it out and click below!
FREE PERPETUAL GROOVE TICKETS!
Hey guess what! WNEW is giving away tickets to see Perpetual Groove in concert- check it out and click below!
FREE PERPETUAL GROOVE TICKETS!
ive seen them several times, no georgia shows, but several in alabama, and i think they are a really a great band with potential for bigger things. first impressions are sometimes hard to shake. find these guys at a show with a big crowd, and they will definately blow away any bad first impressions. they really don’t get the publicity they deserve either.
ive seen them several times, no georgia shows, but several in alabama, and i think they are a really a great band with potential for bigger things. first impressions are sometimes hard to shake. find these guys at a show with a big crowd, and they will definately blow away any bad first impressions. they really don’t get the publicity they deserve either.
Please Disagree with Me
I just recently published a small review and photos on the Perpetual Groove show I saw last Thursday at Martyrs, and let me tell you — their community wasn’t too happy to see that I had called their band name…
Please Disagree with Me
I just recently published a small review and photos on the Perpetual Groove show I saw last Thursday at Martyrs, and let me tell you — their community wasn’t too happy to see that I had called their band name…
Perpetual Groove is amazing. All you haters are taking them for granted. I dont know how you could judge a band on one show, and no one came. It was a horrible turn out, but the band played amazing. Best show i’ve ever seen in front of 20 people. Listen to them studio and live shows. I think it helps to understand their music before you hear one song, or one part and make profound judgements. Go see them in Georgia, i think it will change your perception.
Perpetual Groove is amazing. All you haters are taking them for granted. I dont know how you could judge a band on one show, and no one came. It was a horrible turn out, but the band played amazing. Best show i’ve ever seen in front of 20 people. Listen to them studio and live shows. I think it helps to understand their music before you hear one song, or one part and make profound judgements. Go see them in Georgia, i think it will change your perception.
Listen folks.
When this band plays to a full room, they are quite impressive.
They have several songs that are quite anthemic in nature and Butler’s raspy vocals really bring these tunes home.
Pgroove is a solid band. They are more tight than many bands that get more press, this is a fact.
Listen folks.
When this band plays to a full room, they are quite impressive.
They have several songs that are quite anthemic in nature and Butler’s raspy vocals really bring these tunes home.
Pgroove is a solid band. They are more tight than many bands that get more press, this is a fact.
Saw them at Roo 05 on accident. Was walking around on Thursday night looking for a good show and ended up front row watching these guys. They played a great show and closed with “Bulls on Parade” by RATM. But the fan’s presence definitly reflects on the band’s stage presence for sure.
Saw them at Roo 05 on accident. Was walking around on Thursday night looking for a good show and ended up front row watching these guys. They played a great show and closed with “Bulls on Parade” by RATM. But the fan’s presence definitly reflects on the band’s stage presence for sure.
I looked at the earlier discussion about bands with lousy names, and thought I’d add a few to the list. Note that these are or have been favorite bands of mine, so I’m not referring to their sound, talent, creativity, or whatever.
Disco Biscuits is a great idea, but sounds really silly when you tell people about it. Elemental Harmonics is pretentious. Motion for Alliance is grammatically weird. Future Rock is also pretentious, and misleading. Zilla? At least their first album was named “Egg,” since it sounds like a giant bird. moe. is pathetic. and. what’s. the. point. of. the. dot? A small band from Vancouver irritates me, called themasses (yes, lower case, one word). And finally, it’s hard to imagine that a band could fill stadiums with a mis-spelled sea creature as their moniker.
But there’s some great ones, too! Sound Tribe Sector 9 is intriguing, and STS9 seals the deal. Lotus is sweet. Brothers Past is evocative. Signal Path is cool, futurist. Pnuma looks a little funny, but works. Particle is awesome, as is their offshoot, Hydra. And here’s one people probably haven’t heard of: Oresund Space Collective. Now that’s worth looking into, yes? And what about Infradig? I’m not sure if it works or not, but happy to hear from others!
I looked at the earlier discussion about bands with lousy names, and thought I’d add a few to the list. Note that these are or have been favorite bands of mine, so I’m not referring to their sound, talent, creativity, or whatever.
Disco Biscuits is a great idea, but sounds really silly when you tell people about it. Elemental Harmonics is pretentious. Motion for Alliance is grammatically weird. Future Rock is also pretentious, and misleading. Zilla? At least their first album was named “Egg,” since it sounds like a giant bird. moe. is pathetic. and. what’s. the. point. of. the. dot? A small band from Vancouver irritates me, called themasses (yes, lower case, one word). And finally, it’s hard to imagine that a band could fill stadiums with a mis-spelled sea creature as their moniker.
But there’s some great ones, too! Sound Tribe Sector 9 is intriguing, and STS9 seals the deal. Lotus is sweet. Brothers Past is evocative. Signal Path is cool, futurist. Pnuma looks a little funny, but works. Particle is awesome, as is their offshoot, Hydra. And here’s one people probably haven’t heard of: Oresund Space Collective. Now that’s worth looking into, yes? And what about Infradig? I’m not sure if it works or not, but happy to hear from others!
name aside… after hanging out with these guys last time they were in town they all love what they do… and the jams do get some where, eventually. when they peak, they really peak. it might be hit or miss, depending on the crowd, but when they are on, they are own. a great light show taboot. whats not to like? again, name aside.
name aside… after hanging out with these guys last time they were in town they all love what they do… and the jams do get some where, eventually. when they peak, they really peak. it might be hit or miss, depending on the crowd, but when they are on, they are own. a great light show taboot. whats not to like? again, name aside.
I’ve always found the Perpetual Groove name to be sadly appropriate. Their jams groove ad nauseum and never peak – quite annoying.
the guys in the band are….ummmm…aware…of the connotations of their chosen name
but it is here to stay methinks…inertia and all that being what it is
sorry the show lacked luster considering how much i hassled you to go
they pull great numbers here in CO and shows down south in GA and NC are rowdy as hell…the midwest may be the last market they bust into i guess
Viva La PGroove
the guys in the band are….ummmm…aware…of the connotations of their chosen name
but it is here to stay methinks…inertia and all that being what it is
sorry the show lacked luster considering how much i hassled you to go
they pull great numbers here in CO and shows down south in GA and NC are rowdy as hell…the midwest may be the last market they bust into i guess
Viva La PGroove
these guys usually put on a great show. the crowd definately plays a factor. if you haven’t heard the umphreys show from athens georgia from february (i think), there is a nice transition during the set break of um>p groove>um. similar to the bonnaroo um/moe transition. i prefer the name p groove. perpetual groove is a pretty bad name.
these guys usually put on a great show. the crowd definately plays a factor. if you haven’t heard the umphreys show from athens georgia from february (i think), there is a nice transition during the set break of um>p groove>um. similar to the bonnaroo um/moe transition. i prefer the name p groove. perpetual groove is a pretty bad name.