This weekend, internationally known psychedelic rock band Perpetual Groove (or P-Groove as they’re known to their fans) will play a large scale two-night outdoor gig at the Historic Roundhouse Museum just off MLK, Jr. Blvd. downtown. The band, which formed years ago in Savannah —and cut its teeth on countless marathon shows at the now-defunct jam-band showcase JJ Cagney’s— has gone on to become one of the more notable U.S. acts in its genre. They are regularly featured at major outdoor music festivals, and headline clubs, theatres and halls nationwide. According to industry sources, over the past three years, P-Groove averaged over 400 audience members at each of their own shows, and just a few nights before the following interview took place, they played their first-ever arena gig, drawing somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 folks to Clemson, S.C.’s Littlejohn Coliseum. That sort of growing draw, combined with a successful tour of Japan a few years back can be traced directly to the group’s mesmerizing combination of a trance-inducing, improv-leaning hybrid of British rave and Southern boogie music and its dazzling, high-tech light show (a visual component which the band works hard to design and maintain. However, despite such momentum and popularity, the group (now based in Athens, Ga.), which plays close to 200 live shows annually, has rarely appeared in Savannah for the past several years. Now, in the wake of their just-released sophomore studio album LiveLoveDie (a more rock-oriented CD that is perhaps the first ever “Green disc” produced and manufactured using primarily renewable energy sources), they’re returning to Savannah to help benefit The Jolly Foundation, a locally-based non-profit organization to which the band feels a special bond. Guitarist Brock Butler and keyboardist Matt McDonald took a break from their road schedule to speak with Connect about these upcoming ALL-AGES shows, and the band’s enduring connection to Savannah. Tell us about the Jolly Foundation. Brock Butler: Mary Ellen McKee and her family are life-long friends of mine. Mary Ellen was in an accident. Struck by a car. The Jolly Foundation are her priorities put to use. Sea turtles, supporting the arts, research for brain trauma, etc... Savannah is where she lives, so I feel that’s where the Jolly Foundation is. Definitely the reason to come to town, and really bring something extra. Because it’s an extra special cause. Matt McDonald: Everyone should visit their website (http://www.jollyfoundation.org) and learn Mary Ellen’s incredible story. She’s a true inspiration to us all. What makes this new studio album different from your previous recorded output? Brock Butler: I would say it’s the most focused and concise record we’ve made. We went in with the attitude of (really) using the studio. I guess we figured, the whole reason we’re paying for a nice studio is to use it. I think the album is a good blend of that and our live show energy. Matt McDonald: First and foremost, what makes this album different is we’ve become a real band that’s been together for over five years. That might not sound like much, but anyone who’s been in a touring band knows it’s not an easy task to live on the road with the same people day in and day out. We all feel this is some of our best work. This band’s reputation has been made much more as a live act than as a studio group. How important is one aspect to the other? Matt McDonald: Live playing and studio performance are two completely different animals that (performance-wise) can’t even be compared. A band like us uses improvisation nightly. Our shows aren’t rehearsed “performances.” Songs, approach, everything changes nightly. Even production! Many longtime fans may be a bit surprised by the more straightforward rock direction the band seems to be moving into. Brock Butler: There’s always been a little more rock sneaking into our choice of covers. Eventually, that made its way into our songwriting. I think we were all pretty aware of the direction we were taking. How is P-Groove a different band than it was four years ago, or even further back? Brock Butler: We bond, go through good and bad times. There’s no faking that. Matt McDonald: It’s a much better band, that’s for sure! I have a hard time listening to shows from one year ago, much less four! When you play with the same guys as often as we do, you start to get some mind-reading type shit going on. Plus, we now have the greatest crew in rock’n’roll. Do you enjoy yourself more these days, or on some level, did you have more fun back when the group was essentially a bar band? Brock Butler: I certainly like playing what I consider appropriate rooms. There were fun times in sweaty dives, but I like for Jason (Huffer, lighting director) to have the physical space to achieve his vision. Matt McDonald: I enjoy the larger audiences. There’s nothing else like playing to that many people and that kind of energy coming back at you in a big beautiful room... Our first arena show was this past weekend. It sounded the best we ever have. Most acts in the jam-band movement earn a lot of instant fans by plugging into that demographic, yet many seek to distance themselves from that label. Is your stylistic shift a step away from the jam-band community? Matt McDonald: I’ve had a problem with the over generalization of the term “jam-band.” Artists like Karl Denson, Bela Fleck, Robert Walter’s, bands like Soulive, Yonder Mountain String Band, Disco Biscuits, and us all get lumped into this category — yet no one sounds the same. We all use improvisation and that’s really all we have in common. If we must give it a new label, then P-Groove is “trance arena rock.” Was “greening” this CD worth the trouble? Brock Butler: All of it’s worth it to me. I get to do my favorite thing in the whole world for a living. How modest or glamorous a living? Stay out my business. Just playin’. Many still think of P-Groove as a Savannah band though you’re now based in Athens. Why has the band has been so absent? Brock Butler: Savannah is an awesome city. I lived there for nine years, and as of right now there doesn’t seem to be a room that’s just right for us. I think we’re still waiting for just the right situation. Matt McDonald: The band met in Savannah and spent its early years there, so in some ways it will always be a Savannah band. We have most definitely not avoided Savannah. There aren’t any “clubs” or music theatre rooms that cater to bands like ours there. Fortunately, there are places like the Roundhouse, the Lucas Theatre, and the Trustees Theatre that have allowed us to do some special shows in Savannah. I’ve heard that in some ways P-Groove felt a bit ignored or shortchanged by Savannah’s music scene. Is that correct? Brock Butler: I actually feel that there isn’t a real big scene in Savannah. It’s not a huge city. To its charm, but that’s not good if you’re trying to grow. I’ve always felt love from the audience, but I know almost all of them by name. When you can name every person in your crowd that’s a sign of something. I think we hit our ceiling (there). Atlanta and Athens just have more numbers for us to try and turn on to our music. Why do you think some folks have a hard time describing P-Groove’s music? Brock Butler: I think it is one of the greater compliments, if someone can’t completely wrap you up in only a few adjectives. Matt McDonald: Because it’s unique. We are lucky to have that problem I think. For those readers who’ve never seen or heard P-Groove before, what would you say to try and entice them to come see this show? Matt McDonald: We never do the same show twice, or repeat any songs when we do a two-night run like this. It’s time to come home and pull out all the stops and, yes, we do have plenty up our sleeves. We’ll make you dance, pump your fist in the air, laugh, maybe cry. More than anything else, people continually go to show after show of ours because they get something emotional out of it — something they carry with them. That’s what I’m told most by fans, that they feel something real during our shows that keeps them coming back. ƒç P-Groove plays 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at the Historic Roundhouse, downtown behind Parker’s on MLK, Jr. Blvd. by the Visitor’s Center. Proceeds benefit The Jolly Foundation. $25 advance tickets to these ALL-AGES shows sold at http://www.pgroove.com.

Perpetual Groove At Legends April 5th Athens Group Releases LIVELOVEDIE Perpetual Groove, a Georgia-based band that has evolved from trance-rock to arena-rock, will perform at Legends in Boone on Thursday, April 5th. By Jeff Eason Folks who have listened to the spacey jam-rock band Perpetual Groove for the past few years may be surprised to learn that they have become a rock band. The quartet has jettisoned much of its laid-back attitude for its latest album, LIVELOVEDIE. Perpetual Groove will perform at the Legends Music Hall on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone on Thursday, April 5th. Door open at 9 p.m. LIVELOVEDIE marks a departure for the band, as does its new touring philosophy that keeps it closer to its home in the Southeast. The band started over four years ago in Savannah but has recently moved to Athens, Georgia to be part of that college town’s burgeoning live music scene. “We’ve taken a break from the really long hauls,” said Perpetual Groove keyboardist Matt McDonald. “We’re usually touring about four days at a time now, mostly through the Southeast, based out of our home in Athens (Georgia).” With a heavier sound than previous P-Groove albums, LIVELOVEDIE eschews spacey electronics in favor of crunchy guitars and lots of big beats. The new album will force the band’s fans to find a new label for what was once described as a “trance-rock” group. “I think it is our best album so far,” said McDonald. “It certainly has been received well by our audiences. It’s a little more rock and roll, a little edgier, than the previous albums.” McDonald noted that the album contains no musical guests outside the Perpetual Groove quartet but that the fact that it was recorded in the laid back atmosphere of Tree Sound Studio in Atlanta shaped the recording process. “This was the first time that we had the opportunity to write songs in the studio,” said McDonald. “I think that immediacy comes through in the album.” “We are really excited to bring these new songs to our fans,” added Brock Butler, singer and guitarist for the band. “We’re the same band you have come to know and love, but like any good artist, we change. Where we are in our lives changes, so what we write about changes. Our songwriting has improved leaps and bounds since our last record.” The new album features a cosmic blend of jazz-rock, new-psychedelia and progressive rock. Like another Bonnaroo Festival band, Umphrey’s McGee, Perpetual Groove just keeps getting better with age. McDonald added that the band has put aside its usual heavy touring schedule this year in order to concentrate on returning to the recording studio. The band plans to record through the early part of the summer and release a new disc in July. “The material is already there,” said McDonald. “We just have to focus on how we want to record it and present it.” Tickets & Times Advance student tickets for Perpetual Groove’s show at Legends are $8 and are available at the student information desk in the Plemmons Student Union. Guest and at-the-door tickets are $12. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the music starts around 10 p.m. This show is a BYOB show for guests 21 and older with proper ID. That means attendees 21 and older can bring up to a six-pack of their favorite beer or wine into the venue. For more information, call the ASU Department of Student Programs at (828) 262-3032

P Groove to perform at Pantana Bob's Live music still lives in Greenville Liz Fulton, Senior Writer As one of the last beacons of pure musical talent to perform in Greenville, Perpetual Groove will take the stage at Pantana Bob's tonight. P Groove is a jam band, but unlike many of their contemporaries, words and meaning is infused within their extensive yet highly enjoyable jams. Fans describe their music as "trance arena rock" due to their experimentations in live 5.1-concert surround sound, an intense retina blinding light show and a willingness to keep the connection strong between band and fans. Founded in Savannah, Ga., within the creative walls of the Savannah College of Art and Design, bassist Adam Perry and guitarist Brock Butler met during their freshmen orientation. Throughout their tenure at SCAD, the two formed Perpetual Groove with two other schoolmates who departed the band shortly after graduation. Since 2001 when drummer Albert Suttle and keys player Matt McDonald joined the gang, P Groove transitioned from a local act enjoying the venues Georgia has to offer into a powerhouse touring machine playing at least 150 shows a year. Their third studio album, LiveLoveDie was released three weeks ago co-produced by the band and Robert Hannon (Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below). LiveLoveDie is more grown up than their past releases, with members of the band bringing something directly to its conception. Many of the songs were written while in the studio resulting in a collective contribution of four very talented and individual musicians. In a recent interview published on JamBands.com, Butler expressed Perpetual Groove's emotional ties to their music. "A lot of our songs, especially the ones with lyrics, start off as more of a singer-songwriter approach. Even the stuff that doesn't have lyrics, we may use electronic effects, but there is still that human element." First-time visitors and hard-core followers will not be disappointed with their live show this Thursday. Besides playing a vast array of songs from their music library, the band has also begun to cover more regularly the high-energy recordings of Wu-Tang Clan and Rage Against the Machine. "That is something for the kids," said Butler. "It's a way to let people know everything isn't so serious." All kidding aside, Perpetual Groove is a band that honestly believes in the power of music and its ability to connect with everyone and everything. "The first time I saw them at Red Rooster, they just played and played with no breaks in between songs. It seemed like they were having the best time," said junior communication major Sami Allen. "I have never felt such energy between a band and the crowd during a show." With the release of LiveLoveDie, Perpetual Groove took many painstaking steps to ensure that there was zero negative impact on the environment from its production to its packaging. In association with Tree Sound Studios, Sustainable Waves and Green Mountain Energy Company, the album was the first ever to be produced with zero net carbon emissions. All of the packaging was 100 percent recyclable and renewable energy credits were used throughout the recording. Stop by PB's this Thursday for an evening full of good vibes and meaningful music. The show starts at 10 p.m. with tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Come see why High Times magazine called them a highlight of the Langerado Music Festival. This writer can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Perpetual Groove (PG) is taking a ground breaking, passionate approach to making music while leaving a positive impact on the environment, and setting an example for not just their fans, but the entertainment industry as a whole. PG is the first band to take extreme steps in making their products and business as environmentally friendly as possible. With LIVELOVEDIE, their latest studio effort co-produced by Perpetual Groove and Grammy winner Robert Hannon (Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below), they have gone where no major labels hat yet. The album is the first to be produced using renewable energies from the recording all the way down to the manufacturing having zero negative impact on our environment. The packaging of the album is 100% made from recyclable materials – 50% post consumer waste and 50% postindustrial/manufacturing waste to using soy inks exclusively in the packaging. This all done through Perpetual Groove’s partnership with Tree Sound Studios, Sustainable Waves, and Green Mountain Energy Company and is being released by the environmentally friendly label, Tree Leaf Music. A celebrated, international touring act for over four years with an enormous on-line community message board of over 2,300 active members, Perpetual Groove has built a reputation on intense, emotional music that fans call “trance arena rock,” and won over legions of fans with their experimentations in live 5.1 concert surround sound, an intense retina blinding light show, and a willingness to keep the connection strong between band and fans. The Athens, GA-based band’s riveting live performances have catapulted them into the “must-see” category of live rock bands. With a funky blend of jazz-rock, neo-psychedelia, R&B, trance electronica, progressive rock and anthemic arena rock, the Bonnaroo veterans have conquered the festival circuit and continue to tour relentlessly. “We are really excited to bring these new songs to our fans. We’re the same band you have come to know and love, but like any good artist, we change. Where we are in our lives changes, so what we write about changes. Our songwriting has improved leaps and bounds since the last record,” says Brock Butler, singer & guitar player for the band. LIVELOVEDIE is a departure for the quartet. With a stronger focus on lyrics and song structure and a much heavier overall sound, the album is sure to surprise even the most die-hard of “PGroove” listeners. Perpetual Groove has shown a flair for creating genre-spanning music, yet keeps their catalog fresh and unique by constantly changing the material in the live setting. The band will be touring internationally through 2007 to promote the release of LIVELOVEDIE. The tour kicks off with an appearance at The Langerado Music Festival in South Florida in early March 2007.

For a band like Perpetual Groove, making the jump from playing on a local scale in nightclubs and bars to the full-time endeavor of touring and recording albums can be daunting. But unless the band’s scale of trajectory changes anytime soon, it looks like it’s well on its way to the big time. Come next Tuesday, also known as national pastime Mardi Gras, Perpetual Groove will bring its electrifying road show to Knickerbockers, 901 O St., for a night of jams, jazz and psychedelic funk. The band, which has only been around for about four years, has seen a growth from playing to a steady fan base in Savannah, Ga., to finding a home on the road. The band now plays up to 200 shows per year across the U.S., and last year that schedule included a performance in front of more than 20,000 people at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee. “That was the biggest crowd we’ve played for by far,” said Brock Butler, Perpetual Groove’s vocalist and guitarist. “I made it a point to look out over the number of people out there. I wanted to remember that moment forever.” While Tuesday’s crowd at Knickerbockers is expected to be a little smaller than the audience at Bonnaroo, the band still puts in those little bits of extra effort to try and make the show equally as impressive. The band travels with its own lighting setup, a huge circular contraption that is described in the band’s press release as an “intense, retina-burning light show … unlike any other.” Experiments with 5.1 Dolby surround sound add another layer to the concert-going experience. Butler said the band focuses on original compositions from its albums, but he likes to mix in a few covers here and there, giving Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade” as some examples. Perpetual Groove is about to release its third album, “LiveLoveDie,” on March 6. Previous efforts included 2003’s “Sweet Oblivious Antidote” and 2004’s follow up “All This Everything.” Those efforts helped Perpetual Groove land a spot on Relix Magazine’s annual list of “Top Ten Bands to Watch” in 2005. The Knickerbockers gig is the last in a run of wintertime shows. The band will play the occasional show this spring before gearing up for another summer touring season, which will include stops at the Langerado Music Festival, Wakarusa Music Festival and High Sierra Music Festival. Justin Kadlec, cofounder of Rad Kadillac Productions, which is promoting the show, said Perpetual Groove is one of a few bands that has been requested by local music fans. “We’re at a point where booking agents are starting to ask us to book bands, but after Wakarusa last year, there has been a lot of interest in putting together a Lincoln date for Perpetual Groove,” Kadlec said. He added that the show almost didn’t happen because of some scheduling conflicts early on, but the band offered to come to Lincoln at the end of its tour when other options fell through. “I look at it like we really wanted them to come here, and they offered us the last date on the tour on Fat Tuesday,” Kadlec said. “I’m not sure there is a better recipe for a crazy night.”