    OUR REVERBNATION PAGE MYSPACE LINK HERE REVIEW OF PEACE JONES -- CLICK HERE + SCROLL DOWN PAUL'S BLOG Visit The Elders, a global council comprised of great minds, including Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela Asheville's URTV 20; Our Local Television Station Great WNC Regional Radio: WPVM, People's Voice of the Mountains! NORML News Homepage SCOTT'S MYSPACE PAGE ERIC'S MYSPACE PAGE People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Our EPK Page MOUNTAIN XPRESS' LISTING OF PJ WANT2BEDISCOVERED Rebourne TAKE 5 MARCH 2008 PODCAST OF PEACE JONES Jam Society PJ Page Some Big Label's Listing of PJ ASHEVILLE TAKE 5 PJ PAGE Recent Press Review from Asheville NC THE INDIE |
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SOME RECENT PRESS ARTICLES: *************************************************************************************************************** ASHEVILLE MOUNTAIN XPRESS< July, 2006 The macho magic flute Local band is pro-woodwind, anti-warby Alli Marshall
"I sort of approach things with a Frank Zappa attitude," professes Peace Jones front man Paul DeCirce. He's talking about the organization of his funk-jam group, but he could also be talking about the art-rock ingenuity underlying the party-hearty hip-hop and reggae-infused cadences. (By the way, it's unquestionably his project – he writes and produces all the material.) What's so arty about Peace Jones, at first glance, is the use of the flute, especially when layered between '70s-style keyboard solos and quirky spoken-word lyrics a la early '90s De La Soul (back when they still had soul). But there's also the way the group strives beyond its own musical boundaries, aiming to transcend its jam band leanings. "Peace Jones fits into the crunchiness," DeCirce asserts, "but I like to think we're still progressive." "Aqualung": the new "Freebird"Peace Jones got its start in 2004 at one of the Bonfires for Peace productions in Pritchard Park. The grassroots concerts featured up-and-coming area bands, most of which were not yet playing local clubs. While most musical acts have to climb the ladder of open mikes and coffee-house shows before they earn larger, paying gigs, the Bonfire series gave new artists a stage. "Peace Jones has been [on] a shoestring," DeCirce notes. "[When it comes to] paying one's dues, I'm almost the poster boy." The musician was penniless when he came to Asheville eight years ago and began busking on downtown streets. He started out as a drummer (and even went briefly by the nickname "Drum"), playing with groups like Paperboy and Scrappy Hamilton while privately honing his guitar and flute skills. "I'm kind of self-taught in all that," he admits. As for what it means to be in front of a band holding a flute – an instrument often connected with symphony musicians and grade-school girls – DeCirce has a lot to say. "Third-grade girl flautists grow up to be college attendees and part of the music market," he shrugs. But all wind instruments aren't prissy. "There's a school of music that's flute and drum working together," DeCirce reveals. "I associate it with rhythm and drumming, like fife and drum [corps]." And if those bands historically known for marching ahead of the military into battle aren't macho enough, there are always flautists-turned-rock gods like Clay Cook and Jerry Eubanks of The Marshall Tucker Band, and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull (who, it's worth noting, played not only flute but piccolo). "Jethro Tull is the main iconic image of the modern rock flautist," DeCirce agrees. "I get a lot of requests to play 'Aqualung.'" Which, by the way, doesn't actually have a flute part. "But," he adds, "I do have a lot of trouble pulling [my flute] out at some of the county shows we play." A message you can boogie toThere's more to Peace Jones, though, than the novelty of a guy playing funk on a wind instrument. "Even if you did take the flute away, our sound is interesting on its own," the front man muses. "I think of the flute as the icing on the cake." Listen to a couple tracks from Peace Jones' EP, Laundry Lady (taken from the soon-to-be-released full-length album, Down to the Bone) and the first thing you'll hear is an infectious, danceable beat. There's a definite Friday afternoon feel when audiophiles crank up the feel-good hip-hop, dancehall and reggae. And the EP's title song delivers on that promise with whimsical lyrics about a crush on a beehived matron of the Laundromat. But DeCirce isn't satisfied with being the soundtrack to a party. "I feel somewhat responsible," he insists. "If you're going to entertain people and you can make a point in some way, you should." His point? It's in the band's name. "Some people jones for power," the flautist explains. "We jones for peace." DeCirce continues, "I don't think there's a lot in the entertainment industry that speaks to world peace or inner peace." So, listen between the beats for Peace Jones to expound on war, the oil crisis and the need for alternative energy, among other soapbox-worthy topics. "Some people just don't want to think about it," he acknowledges. "They just want to have a good time; they've been working all week. They don't want to hear a strange man with a flute talking about biodiesel fuel." What DeCirce does – a tactic employed by reggae great Bob Marley – is sneak the message in between a contagious groove and a catchy hook. First, get the crowd dancing, then expand their minds. Though the flautist doesn't think the conscious music movement will ever eclipse the Top 40, he points out that jam-oriented festivals like Bonnaroo, which draw many message-toting bands, are beginning to get noticed by the likes of Rolling Stone. For now, Peace Jones is happily to be gaining enthusiastic audiences at home. "People around Asheville get what I'm doing," DeCirce says. Peace Jones plays the Town Pump on Thursday, Sept. 28. 9:30 p.m. 669-4808. Peace Jones New CD Launches Booty-shaking Flute Craze Peace Jones' new CD "Down to the Bone" features funky flute and quirky lyrics that'll have you singing in your car. This hot new CD breaks out a unique new sound from Asheville, NC. Asheville, NC (Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWEB ) November 3, 2006 -- Peace Jones has released "Down to the Bone", their first full-length CD. It's working-class funk-rock with a reggae vibe, featuring Paul DeCirce's artistic use of the flute and quirky lyrics. Whether you get down with the "Laundry Lady", hang out with "Mr. Anderson", join in on the "Mutiny" or get inspired by "The Vision," there's something for everyone on "Down to the Bone."
"Artistic use of flute, layered between 70s-style keyboard solos and quirky lyrics a la early 90s De La Soul. Peace Jones gets the crowd dancing, and then expands their minds." -- Alli Marshall, Mountain Xpress, Asheville NC, Sept. 27, 2006 "There's just no stopping this pied piper. Peace Jones creates a mesmerizing, booty-shaking small town ruckus; working class funk-Americana…shades of Mighty Mighty Bosstones, George Clinton and Rare Earth..." -- The Indie, Asheville NC, Oct. 2006 Diverse performances throughout the eclectic Western North Carolina and Southeast regions have won Peace Jones wide acclaim and over a dozen reviews/interviews in regional newspapers and radio stations. DeCirce's flute playing and quirky, fun originals are quickly gaining the band many regional fans. 2007 will have the group supporting their new release "Down to the Bone" and touring throughout the east coast and farther. Go to http://www.peacejones.com for more information about Peace Jones and "Down to the Bone." For booking considerations please contact Carnyx Entertainment. Get your copy of "Down to the Bone" now and watch for Peace Jones in your city soon. **************************************
After paying his dues as a longtime drummer in the Asheville scene, frontman Paul DeCirce has drawn comparisons to the Pied Piper for his ability to create a revolution through fluting. Proficient on most instruments, DeCirce provides solo embellishments on guitar, harmonica and flute during a Peace Jones set.
"I've been playing the flute onstage since 2003. I taught myself basic technique in my teens. I put it down for years as I became a live drummer, then guitarist. The flute for me is an extension of the voice, allowing me to sputter and carry on much like a guitarist would except with my breath and inflection. It also adds a very nice balancing tone to the otherwise abusive amounts of funk and searing guitar that we're guilty of." Peace Jones combines elements of old and new that result in a varied list of references to classics and contemporaries, including Beck, Jethro Tull and Cake. The rhythm-centered, funky, bluesy grooves serve as a vehicle for DeCirce's lyrics that often have a political message. "We formed originally to promote my songs, which had found a niche in the Asheville region for their funky, fun style being positive in nature yet challenging in a political sense," DeCirce says. "Our music is about 50 percent fun lyrically, in the style of Zappa or 'hippy hop' stories, and the other 50 percent is more about our opinions in a social and spiritual sense. "We'd like to keep music and culture connected. Awareness of the myriad of political, ecological and spiritual travesties is the first step to collectively overcoming them. The lyrical content, even the vibe itself, if you will, all leads to unification. It's just innate in our personalities. It's a vibration that we're tapped into. Our music is healing." Meanwhile, "Asheville's scene is on fire right now," he says. "I've been playing gigs here since 2000 and have a substantial amount of street cred here. I can assure you this scene is completely out of control." With Asheville's noted bohemian feel, it is easy to assume that the city's style has influenced Peace Jones' own persona, but according to the Syracuse-born DeCirce, it's the other way around. "I don't feel like the Asheville scene has influenced me; I've influenced it. I've been here so long that I've seen clubs open and close and reopen. I've probably played close to 500 gigs in Buncombe County alone since 2000. It's funny, but now I feel PJ is coming into its own, and everyone sees us as the ideal mix of the Asheville scene when I've really been an outcast for so long." Peace Jones has made six previous outings to Knoxville since 2004, but hopes to increase that frequency this year. Branching out in support of last year's release "Down to the Bone," the band is looking to find a niche in other cities within the region. So far, Peace Jones has had mixed luck in finding that niche here in Knoxville. "I think the town is cultivating a friendlier face in general, and when we come over from Asheville, we notice it," says DeCirce of Knoxville's progress. "Good audiences can be found, but they have to be earned. It's like that anywhere. We've had some lonely nights in Knoxville. "All we care about right now is creating fans and friends wherever we go. This will lead us to where we need to be. One day, I'd like to think that Peace Jones is a group you can come and see night after night without getting bored. There's a cool, hip, relatively sober group of people who dig us, do their trades, tape some shows, and we move through this world together sharing in music. Someday, perhaps we can produce other artists of a like mind." Saturday night, Peace Jones returns to Knoxville, hoping to locate like-minded fans. The band will appear at Manhattan's at 10. Cover charge is $5. Peace Jones - Various ReleasesMarch 5th, 2007
Artist: Peace Jones Peace Jones invites you to be part of the funky flute revolution! This Asheville, North Carolina’s quartet offers a new and unique sound, which has been described as “Sublime meets Jethro Tull”. Through the mastery of numerous musical styles, Peace Jones successfully and artfully blends a nice mix of danceable funk, reggae, hard rock, acoustic ballads, and jazz/blues. Inspired by Peter Gabriel, Bob Marley, John Coltrane, Ian Anderson, Blind Willie McTell, Bernie Worrell, Louie Armstrong, KRS-ONE, Johnny Cash, Martin Barre, David Gilmour, Thelonius Monk, Elvin Jones, Phil Collins, Jerry Garcia, Cannonball Adderly, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Rolling Stones, Peter Tosh, and more, their positive lyrical message and professionalism, mixed with leadman Paul DeCirce’s “minstrel-like stage charisma,” are making Peace Jones an exciting new act. IndiePro Comments: Peace Jones is genius; amazing flute with skilled and funkified keys, strings, and percussion. Sometimes reggae-infused and sometimes straight up funk, these guys do it all so well. Totally original stylings with a natural vibe - nothing forced or corporate about Peace Jones - it’s 100% from the soul.
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May 2008: Performed at Mountain Sports Festival, 2008
May 2008: Headlined South Mountain Acoustic Revival Theatre's Mayfest May 2008: Mention in SE Performer Magazine March 2008: Article and podcast for Asheville Citizen Times Take 5 Magazine February 2008: Band is featured on UR-TV Mount Dungeon November 2007: Featured Band on Local Licks with Host BadAsh, 105.9 fm October 2007: Band performs for Macon / Jackson County Forest Alliance in conservation drive September 2007: Band performs live on URTV-20 Channel Asheville "The Matt Howard Hour" September 2007: Band performs in studio on UNCA campus "The Blue Echo" radio station August 2007: Winner, People's Choice Award at 105.9 The Mountain / Riverlink Battle of the Bands May 2007: Live Performance on Studio B at WNCW 88.7 studios, Spindale NC May 2007: Paul organizes the French Broad River Jam for Riverlink and performs at The Grey Eagle to raise money for French Broad River Cleanup Spring 2007: PJ are included in the CMT TV Show "Big Break" January 2007: Featured Article on Music Scene in Laurel of Asheville December 2006: Band performs benefit for Homeless in Asheville region at Center for Unlimited Possibilties December 2006: Mountain Xpress in Asheville NC mentions PJ's CD "Down to the Bone" as best of WNC music November 2006: Band performs at The Mountain, Highlands NC, a Uniterian Church retreat center October 2006: Billboard Wire promotes PJs CD "Down to the Bone" September 2006: Featured Guest on Local Color with Host Kim Clark, www.wncw.org August 2006: Band featured on Internet Radio Program "Random Acts of Funk" July 2006: Featured Article in Mountain Xpress, Asheville NC on Paul of PJ "The Macho Magic Flute" May 2005: Band performs at Grannypalooza, Cherokee Ceremonial Grounds NC, fundraiser for elderly adoption service September 2004: Band performs at Slow-Food Awareness Benefit, promoting local produce and health September 2004: Band performs at benefit to exhange street handguns for cash in effort from Asheville police |
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