Peace Jones performed their first gig in June of 2004. Fronted by
wild-eyed Flautist / Guitarist / Songwriter Paul DeCirce, PJ is well
known in the Western North Carolina region as an innovative and
inventive group. Considered to be adept in a number of cross cutting
genres, Peace Jones play everything from 70s soundtrack funk to
ska-reggae to rock and roll epics, from mellow country ballads to
experimental flute jazz meanderings, to slide guitar hard blues and
front porch harmonica jammin'.
Peace Jones reflects the acquired musical exposure of DeCirce, who hails
from Syracuse NY. His urban upbringing was in late 70s funk and then 80s
style hip-hop, while at the same time a thorough education in his
mother's record collection. So it was Bob Dylan and RUN-DMC all at once.
This conglomerative mixture results in a kind of Urban Americana.
The band's songs are rooted in American styles of blues, folk and
ballad, while at the same time inserting heavy amounts of groove, R&B
rhythm and 'hippy hop.' The result is unique only to this band; many
regional critics have hailed PJ as some of the most unique and catchy
music produced in the region...period.
Funkmaster P 'Drum' DeCirce has been a staple of the Asheville NC music
scene since 2000. First as a drummer well-known for his style and
versatility (featured in the July 2003 MODERN DRUMMER), and then as an
emerging frontman, guitarist and flautist, DeCirce has been unflinching
in keeping the path on the positive and progressive tip. The band has
endured many hard roads, yet night after night, Peace Jones continually
come up on the top of the list in many club and critics lists as 'da
real deal, dawg.'
Joining P on the vibe is Eric Ciborski. Ol' "I'll Smoke-em if u got'em"
is from New Dirty and was also deep in the New Orleans scene when
Katrina struck. His fluid keyboard playing adds to much to P's
wah-drenched sound. Scott Blanchard from CT is on the bass and back-up
vocals. He is also the resident politician and collective (im)morale of
the band. Todd Omley is the drum-meister, lickety-splitting down any
style that P dares to bring forward and Todd can already do that style
because he 'likee'.
The band released their debut CD in 2004, The Path Narrows , it featured
an introduction to the band's sound with songs like "Slice and Dice,
Martha" and "One Good Thing." In October of 2006, the band released
their first full length Down to the Bone . This CD has been moving well
regionally, with no less than five tracks making it to the
listener-supported WNCW's airwaves for four strong months.
2008 marks a vital year for Peace Jones in their movement to bring
positive messages of peace and justice to their widening audience. The
band is currently in the studio, recording a new full length CD and
plans on a heavy string of performance dates in the fall. Keep a close
eye for appearances near you and keep PJ on the list of 'upcoming bands
to watch.'
