PETE AND J: Without A Band

Pete and J

Without A Band

© 2005 Peter Harper and Jason Blynn (837101088169)

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Our sound is an acoustic mix of modern folk, rock, and singer/songwriter music with an emphasis on vocal harmony.

notes

It begins here. Right now. Ready? GO! You are now embarking on a whirlwind, 180-word novella on the history of Jason "JBlynn" Blynn, and Peter "Pete" Harper. The paths of "Pete" and "J" (who will henceforth be referred to without quotations) crossed when the outdoorsy, semi-crunchy, straight-out-of-a-Phish-rip-off-jam-band J, a collegiate sophomore at Amherst college, led Pete and a group of his fellow wide-eyed freshmen into the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a 1st year orientation trip. Upon arrival at the second campsite, the group, after a rousing but slightly awkward session of "never-have-I-ever" with a pot of leftover refried beans, discovered that the site's keeper had not showered in over 3 months. She also possessed one golden retriever, and one banjo. Pete immediately asked to play the banjo and subsequently entertained the group all night singing songs around the campfire. J's love for dogs prevented him from enjoying even one minute of Pete's music, but was later told by his trip co-leader that Pete "was pretty good". And thus it began. J tried to convince Pete to audition for the all-male a cappella group he was directing that year, the world-renowned "Zumbyes". Pete was quite uncomfortable with the idea. But, J seemed alright and Pete showed up for the audition. Pete ended up joining the Amherst College Zumbyes, even though it was and still is well understood that college a cappella is super lame. After joining the group, they had to be friends. Again, Pete was quite uncomfortable with the idea.

Aside from Zumbye World Domination, Pete and J began strumming guitars and singing "Kumbaya" together. How cute! Craving a band but not finding the necessary counterparts led Pete and J to begin writing and performing acoustically at the Marsh Coffeehouse Open Mic. The two continued jamming and performing together, when finally the end of the year arrived and Pete proposed that J come and live in Chicago to play with his former band mates in a new summer flavor, The Cartwheel Kids. Despite the Sesame Street-like band name, and a super-awkward first show in Winnetka, IL, the band decided to focus on recording, and subsequently turned out A Few of Our Favorites, to a smattering of sales and light applause.

Over the the next few years, Pete and J wrote and performed as much as they could given their busy college schedule of parties, gigs, girlfriends, and procrastination. During the summers they recorded stripped-down acoustic versions of the tunes they were working on, all of which would eventually be released on Without a Band in 2005.

By J's senior year, Pete and J graduated from the tepid and quite awkward engagements of Marsh Coffeehouse to a handful of private functions for Amherst College and a weekly gig at the famous McMurphy's Uptown Tavern. And boy was it worth the long walk uptown! Sunday nights began to rock like Mondays, or even Tuesdays that felt like Wednesdays or Thursdays. Needless to say, everyone felt good. Simultaneously, the pair founded their college frat-rock band, The Naughty Muffins! Throwing a party every 3 weeks or so in the infamous Seelye Ballroom, the Muffins were naughty, very naughty. They rocked Amherst College (and select members of the other four colleges in the area) with such landmark shows as Muffstock, Muffaroo, and, of course, Muffapalooza: Back to the Bakery.

Pete and J now live in New York City with J's former band mates, Chris O'Connell and Sarab Singh of Pea Soup. Pete and J perform a maddening number of shows and open mics every week. The duo, now based in New York City, still plays regularly in the Philadelphia and New York City areas and just released an album of acoustic tracks (Without a Band) recorded over the years in Philadelphia (and Brazil). Pick up your copy today! And keep an eye out for Pete and J acoustic and electric shows in the near future. They're wily ones, us two. I mean, those two. Hehe! Like we, I MEAN, Pete and J, would write their own bio! Preposterous!

reviews

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  • can't wait for the next album
    author: Val

    The kind of music ANYONE will enjoy!

  • Amazing
    author: Annika Johansson

    I love this album! It is really a fantastic buy, worth way beyond what I paid for it. It is a very versatile cd, great for car trips, cleaning, lounging, etc. Really and truly fantastic.

  • really enjoyed it
    author: s taylor

    i really enjoyed this cd. the harmonies were excellent. a little Simon and Garfunkel and some of the old folkies. and that's a good thing!

  • Incredible vocals, great songwriting
    author: Tim Ledlie

    This CD is filled with songs that are well-written and impeccably performed. Two fantastic and complementary voices that combine in creative harmonies. Great song variety and excellent guitar-work.

  • Great Album!
    author: Brett

    I discovered Pete and J through a friend and Amherst graduate, Kelly. She had very good things to say. After some investigation, I found that Pete and J were featured on XPN's World Cafe - one of Pennsylvania's premier sources of up-and-coming artists. I'm pleased to say that this album rocks. Great guitar. Great harmony. Great lyrics.

  • Incredible songs for any mood
    author: Katie

    I love this CD! I have not taken it out of my car and it plays all the time on my ipod. Philladelphia Sun is the song I currently cannot get out of my head no matter what I try. It just sticks with you it's so beautiful!

  • tremendous duo...great sound
    author: monte

    The music is very creative, and the talent is right up there with the best...I can't wait to hear the complete band when they put out a CD.

  • AMAZING BEAUTIFUL UNIQUE SOULFUL MUSIC
    author: I LOVE PETE AND J

    i am obsessed. they play beautifully. really original makes you feel like a wee kid again, in a good way.,

  • awesome
    author: Amy

    these guys are so talented! i'm in awe. my favorite is "pennsylvania sun."

  • La la la la la
    author: Josh from Michigan

    This CD doesn't exceed my wildest expectations, but given that my wildest expectations were that it would help me get a job that pays in the six figures and write my award-winning novel for me, I guess that's not so bad. At least the music's good. And by good, I mean really good. Like in the way that cocoa or chicken soup is good on a gray, wintry afternoon.

  • Great cd!
    author: Liz from Houston

    I love this cd! Great music and great lyrics. I'm just waiting for a tour through Texas....

  • beautiful acoustic music with great lyrics, a real find
    author: Rachael Willhite

    I just got this cd a few days ago and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The tracks range from heartbreakingly raw and beautiful to surprisingly infectious and motivating. If you like acoustic music with great lyrics and a lot of soul then you will love this cd.

  • author: David Bugge

    Provocative poetic prose put to catchy driving acoustic melodies. It's a cd that one can listen to over and over again, and discover something new each time. Everyone I've shown it to has fallen in love with it.

  • Mellow but filled with soul, this CD rocks!
    author: Leora Maccabee

    If you like it straight up and acoustic, with some soul and energy, this CD is for you. I was thrilled to see that all the songs are originals too - unique and interesting lyrics make it even more fun to listen to. Great purchase.

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