[New Video] - Peanut Butter Lovesicle - Black Eyed Blues //

The D’arc-Miller-brother-cuz trio have just released a killer new vid for their riff-driven-psych-bluesy single ‘Black Eyed Blues’.

Directed and produced by Evil Twin (Todd DiCiurcio & Taylor Steele), with appearances by Julie Henderson and Ed Westwick, this release confirms one thing: If PBL is not on your 2012 watchlist, put them there quick smart.

Peanut Butter Lovesicle - NEW SINGLE: Black Eyed Blues //

They just finished taking London for a ride on the PBL-tube, now this trio is back to NYC business stepping up the Brooklyn food-chain with the their new single Black Eyed Blues.

If you’re in the NYC area, check out their single release party at Cameo Gallery tonight! If not, get your bluesy fix from iTunes now.

More goodness: www.peanutbutterlovesicle.com

-k

Peanut Butter Lovesicle - A Night of Rock & Roll, Whiskey and PBR

It’s too cold to be outside tonight and the Bedford L stop seems a lot further away from Grand St. than I last remember.  Although I have on my heaviest jacket, a shearling beast that I purchased in Argentina some time ago, I can still feel the below freezing temperature creeping through, but I’m convinced it’s worth it.  I’ve watched this band grow over time. They were always good, but there’s nothing like seeing one of your favorites become great, and that’s why I’m braving the cold on this February night.

Trash Bar is warm and the PBR is free, so I’ve automatically forgiven them for playing on such a horrid evening. The band, PBL is setting up.  For those of you who don’t know what PBR stands for, you’re stupid.  However, for those of you that don’t know what PBL stands for, I will cut you some slack because they are relatively new on the Brooklyn music circuit.  PBL officially stands for Peanut Butter Lovesicle, and yes there is a relatively interesting story behind the name because let’s face it, that’s just not one you draw from thin air.

The band stands as three, the D’Arc brothers Jake and Mike who play guitar and bass respectively and their tall blond dreadlocked cousin, Timmy Miller on drums. To complete the family affair Jake and Mikes’ sister Jamie manages the group. Their musical style identifies with straight rock and roll mixed in with that Junior Kimbrough/ Black Keys southern blues rock influence, then add a bit of classic 60’s sounding guitar inspiration and you may start to get the gist. When speaking later, we all agree that their sound is refreshing change from that has been typically found in the Brooklyn music scene recently.

Watching these guys play you can see that they are true musicians, ridiculously in sync with an obvious understanding of their instruments. It just looks easy and natural.  The wild, heavy and raw guitar riffs speak for themselves. They put on a great live show and play off each other’s energy. 

Mike, the man responsible for most of the vocals although the writing is shared equally among the three, coolly taps his bass, ray bans on, leaning in every few minutes to bellow out some lyrics. He rolls back on his heels and keeps the impressive bass line flowing smoothly forward through the set. 

Timmy does more than keep the beat in the background. With his blond dreads thrashing, his animalistic style definitely does not unnoticed (they call him the Puma). He dwarfs the drum set, occasionally leaning in to sing backing and lead vocals.

The eldest brother, Jake, takes on some extraordinary solos. In true rock and roll fashion, he gets down on one knee, then two, hunched over and ripping the guitar, turning it upside down and giving it a good shake all while producing a terrific sound. 

By far my favorite song of theirs is “Hiroshima” and if you’re itching to see someone truly shred then this is the one to catch.  The raw break down at the end will blow your mind.

When the set is over we sit down to speak a bit about the band. There is a plethora of beer glasses already accumulated on the table so we add a few shots of whiskey just for good measure.  Starting out, we speak about the band dynamic. Jake and Mike look at each other and then at Timmy who is sitting next to me in the booth and laugh. “Well, we’re not sure if we’re actually gonna let Tim in the band.  We’re thinking about doing a West Coast tour and recording out there so we may have to bring him.”  Timmy plays along, “Yah, it’s like one of those relationships where you want to take it to the next level but the other person doesn’t want to.”  As a side note these guys have been playing together since before their teen years to anyone who would listen at their family’s summer spot in Ocean City, NJ. 

“So where did the name “Peanut Butter Lovesicle” come from?” I ask. They tell me that on the menu of an Ocean City pizza joint is a pizza the boys concocted and named Peanut Butter Lovesicle, PBL for short.  It is described as, “A musicians dream (nice and spicy) Pepperoni and Hot Peppers.” I’m still not sure if the name fits the description, but at least it’s an explanation.  What else would you expect from a group that was just named, “New Band to Burn One To” by Heavy Planet Stoner Blog. 

I ask them what prompted the move to Brooklyn and what they feel are the major differences between the two spots.  Jake quips, “Well there is just so many people in Ocean City especially in the winter.” They agree on the obvious, that there is way more opportunity here. They mention that there have been a few key people who have really pushed them to make the move and go after this seriously.  

When I continue to ask about living in Brooklyn Timmy looks at me and asks if he can go get a beer because he doesn’t live in Brooklyn. He’s still a student at the University of Rhode Island, studying Geology.  The brothers heckle and boo him saying, “God, you’re so unprofessional” laughing the whole time. I tell him to grab me a beer while he’s up. 

We talk about their favorite venue to play in the area and they quickly respond saying, “Cameo Gallery in the back of the Lovin Cup is an easy favorite.”  They can often be found grabbing eats and drinks at that spot. They feel akin to it not only because it’s a great venue but also due to love and support shown to artists there. They aren’t the first band to tell me that either.  We speak more about their direct influences. Jake makes it a point to say that they have very different styles when it comes to the influences of their own instruments.  He then references the “George Mikan Drill” saying, “we are more influenced by the rhythmic syncopation.” A day or two later Mike texts me to tell me he is also a big fan of the Avett Brothers and we have a quick text sesh about which is his favorite album.

 It’s pretty loud at Trash Bar and I know it will be tough to hear the recorded interview so we wrap it up by talking about their future plans. They are adamant about planning a trip to London and last summer they went to L.A, and recorded some new stuff for a possible EP but nothing is set in stone yet.  

 I announce that the interview is officially over. We all cheers and celebrate with another round of whiskey shots.  All of their supporters, mostly family and close friends from Ocean City and childhood come over to join in the festivities.

Make sure to catch these guys at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn on March 19th, but for now check out their EP, Heavy Daze Wildcat Craze below.

www.peanutbutterlovesicle.com                                                                     

Photo Credit: Justin Boykin                                          

-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp

Peanut Butter Lovesicle (PBL) - Heavy Daze Wildcat Craze EP //

Meet Ocean City, NJ, brothers/cousin trio: Jake D’Arc (Guitar, Keys, Back Vox), Mike D’arc (Lead Vox, Bass), and Timmy Miller (Drums, Vox).

Now say hello to their new EP: Heavy Daze Wildcat Craze

It’s one of those albums that you put on in your car, and before you know it, it’s at a decibel level that could wake Helen Keller from the grave and you’re banging the steering wheel like you actually know how to play an instrument.

Personal favourites are Colorblind and State Of I. Zeppelin-esque riffs and Sabbath-inspired transitions are dispersed throughout. Equal parts “heavy” and “daze”. It’s a reincarnate of classic stoner rock meets the “illegitimate love-child of fire breathing dragon and warm-hearted confused teenager” - Brother Jake.

It’s deliciously raw. But who would expect anything less from a band that inspired a pizza topping?

For a little taste of this musical food pyramid, check out the first episode in the 17 part series (above) - “PBL: Night in Venice on the Wrong Side of Bay Avenue” - a concert film featuring rock and/or roll by Peanut Butter Lovesicle from the Summer of 2009.

And stay tuned for upcoming gigs and exclusive releases from their recent LA recording sessions.

-k