Album Notes

A collage of sounds and styles-maximum R&B grooves with rock guitar, fresh melodies with classic rock'n'roll ambiance-THE GROOVE is Pete Munday at his best. Pete says, "I wanted to mix different styles of songs together on one album: acoustic songs, rockin' pop, country, and up-tempo love ballads."

Munday has never been comfortable with borders, limitations, or affiliating himself with a musical movement. He just does what comes naturally, writing and performing hooky pop-rock songs that pack an emotional wallop. From relationships ("Breakdown Girl") to the journey to becoming a better man ("Consequence Song"), Pete writes about what comes to mind at any given time and place, initially writing straight from the heart. He started writing songs during high school in Washington state, when the grunge era was blossoming. His first efforts were simple, folky love songs-out of step with grunge, but they felt true to him, and he continued to develop musically along more melodic lines. Pete's influences have always been timeless songwriters, the artists and bands that could capture a feeling in a few chords. As a child, his musical heroes included Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke and The Beatles; over time he began to admire The Who, AC/DC, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, U2, Led Zeppelin, The Police and The Rolling Stones, among others.

Growing up was anything but ordinary, as his father was a preacher and police officer. Pete grew up singing in church every Sunday and traveling with his missionary family -from Cyprus to Louisiana, Greece to Tennessee, Washington to Idaho, and finally to California. Pete has had the opportunity to travel independently as an artist as well, touring South Africa for two months, as well as Tokyo, Japan. Returning to Los Angeles, Pete started his own record label, Different Records, and released his debut album driving with no mirrors in April of 2000.

His next Different Records release was the highly acclaimed Hoopla Jimmy. After touring for a year, Pete plunged into the studio and recorded the long awaited album: THE GROOVE. A fascinating mix of old and new creates the style of this recording: a fresh take on classic rock; inventive songwriting blending new and vintage sounds. This is all summed up best by a listen to the title track "The Groove". Pete enlisted Andy Ackland (The Eagles, Bob Dylan) to mix the song "Goodbye Beautiful" as well as mastering the album. The album features Ray Artis (Dakota Moon) playing bass and David Leach (Ben Harper) playing percussion on "Consequence Song". The result is Munday's fiercest, fullest music-the vocals crisp and immediate, the instrumentation in the pocket and full of heart.

The live show is an electrifying experience, running the gamut from full force rock to Pete performing solo/acoustic. Bassist Ray Artis plays bass with precision and style that will make your head bob. Josh Ketchmark delivers melodic and soulful guitar. Sam Jones completes the rhythm section with drums that are the heart beat of this dynamic band. The band is currently touring to promote THE GROOVE; combining the essence and vitality of rock n' roll with the integrity of classic pop songs.