Deathwaltz Media hosted an eclectic night of unique high-energy bands on March 16, 2013 at The Blockley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The night opened with a lively performance by the groovy, funk, jamrock band, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. The Pigeons opened for the dynamic funk rock, Close to Good, who sent the audience spiraling into a virtual dance party leading into Jimkata’s epic set of electro-rock. It was the night before St. Patrick’s Day, and a energized crowd filled the venue with excitement and good vibes. Alongside the merchandise for this particular night at The Blockley was Grateful Daydream Creations’ collection of beautiful and finely crafted, custom jewelry. The scene was set as the lights dimmed and the LED hula-hoops emerged, marking what was only the beginning of an animated night of boogying
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a funk group comprised of guitarist and lead vocalist Greg Ormont, guitarist Jeremy Schon, bassist Ben Carrey and drummer Dan Schwartz, opened the show with a high-energy funk set. The group recently signed with Hoplite Booking Agency, joining the ranks of Zach Deputy and Dopapod. The Pigeons are hosting an upcoming festival in Aldie, VA, and are working on laying down their unique funk on a new album.
This group of talented musicians met while attending college at the University of Maryland. Each member of the Pigeons began playing music at a very young age and is an exceptionally talented musician. Each member of the band displays extreme proficiency in his instrument of choice while bringing a different musical style to the stage. The noticeable hint of jazz often will emanate from the guitarist, Jeremy Schon, who has been playing since the age of twelve. Jeremy grew up in Baltimore, studying jazz throughout high school and playing in a variety of punk and jazz bands. Brought up on jazz and the Talking Heads, Schon became fascinated with Phish in high school, adding jam to his musical influence. Since high school, Schon has acted as a booking agent for local venues, as well as for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong until their recent signing with Hoplite Booking Agency.
The lead vocalist and guitarist, Greg Ormont, has called the stage his home since the early age of five. A performer, in addition to a musician, Greg has been cast in over twenty-five musicals and other shows and has also sung in choruses and choirs until his college years. In his early childhood, Ormont took piano lessons, moved on to alto saxophone in middle school, and then began playing guitar at the age of 17- a mere six months before meeting Jeremy at the University of Maryland. Although Ormont was born and bred in New York on classic rock, once Jeremy introduced him to jam music in 2006, he never turned back.
The band’s bassist, Ben Carrey, has always had an ear for music. He learned to play piano by ear at a very young age and sang in the Children’s Chorus of America in Baltimore, Maryland. He also performed in an off-Broadway production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Then, at a friend’s 16th birthday party, Ben found his calling as he picked up a bass.
Dan Schwartz also played the alto saxophone during his years at elementary school in Severna Park, Maryland and his musical talent earned him first seat, All-County. In eighth grade, Schwartz bought a drum set and taught himself how to play in order to join his school’s jazz band. Throughout high school Schwartz continued to play the drums in several different rock, reggae and ska bands, with rhythms that were heavily influenced by drummer, Chad Sexton, of 311. College came along and Dan purchased an electronic drum set, adding a whole other level to the Pigeon’s sound.
Pigeons opened their set playing “Time to Ride”, a funky syncopated beat starting up the dance party. They kept the rhythm going with “Pop Off” giving off a disco vibe; followed by an inspirational song, “Fade Fast.” Pigeons slowed it down with a song off of their upcoming album, “Julia,” and then flowed into their mash-up “Funky House”; the Pigeon’s rendition of Lipps Inc’s “Funky Town” with the Commodores “Brick House.” In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, Pigeons dedicated their next song, “Drunk People” to the crowd. They closed out this exceptional set at the Blockley with a “Spacejam” into “The Hop” and a phenomenal finale of “FU,” as the entire crowd got down with their funky selves.
Close to Good took the stage to continue the dance party, transporting us into a more virtual world of jazz funk nerd rock fusion. Normally a quartet, the band took the stage at the Blockley with seven performers for the first time. This progressive quartet boasts Carl Stokking on the guitar, Dave Radolovic on keyboards, Rob Palmay on the bass, and Kevin Ragone on the drums and melody. This special live set featured Keara Palmay on vocals, Dave Pomerantz on the trumpet, and Tal Shtuhl on the saxophone. In their newest release, Close to Good recreates the music of “Mega Man III,” and some of their other favorite video games.
Close to Good opened their set with “Through the Trees” into “Mini-boss (Nintendo TMNT)”. This was followed with “Battle Medley”, “Outside the Walls”, and “Hard Man” from Mega Man III. Next came a rendition of “Geruda Valley” from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time featuring Dave Pomerantz on trumpet. The entire audience was hyped up. They proceeded with a creepier melody featuring the trumpet, “Dark Town” from their first album released in December of 2011, Volume I into “Lunar Sellout” with vocalist Keara Palmay. “Theme from Grand Theft Auto 3” led into “Swugs” showcasing Pomerantz on trumpet as well as Tal Shtuhl on saxophone. The trumpet and saxophone played a large part in the next song as well, “City of Empire”. Close to Good closed out this incredible musical set with their cover of the classic Stevie Wonder tune, “Sir Duke,” incorporating the talents of all three guest musicians, Pomerantz, Palmay and Shtuhl. The stage was bursting with soul as the melodic waves actually ruptured the music space continuum, and transported the entire audience into passionate musical groovy dance vector.
The party never stopped as Jimkata, the electronic-rock band, took the Blockley’s stage for their current tour supporting their fan-funded record Die Digital. Jimkata played a retro danceable electro-rock set including songs such as “Roll With the Punches.” All in all, the night was simply stellar
After their set, the members of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong joined the audience for some drinks and dancing. The Music Vibes was able to obtain more information about Domefest, the fourth annual camping festival taking place on the beautiful lake-side of Aldie, Virginia. Domefest is hosted by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Groovehouse Productions. Greg Ormont described this upcoming event by saying, “Domefest is always my favorite time of year. Anything Groovehouse Productions does is so on point, and Domefest is the best example. From the lineup, to the location, to the staff, Domefest is such an amazing time every year, and this go-around should be no different. I can’t wait until the end of April, smiles will be flowing.” Domefest has now been expanded to include an extra night of music on Friday and takes place on April 26th and 27th. There will be two nights of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and performances by The Heavy Pets, Big Something, Jimkata, The Mantras, Business Casual Disco, and Sophistafunk.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong continue on their All Roads Lead to Dome (Winter/Spring Tour) making stops in Baltimore, MD on March 27th for their 90’s themed night at the 8×10, Woodlands Tavern in Columbus, OH on March 28th and FUNKing up the state of Indiana on the 29th and 30th. The flock will then migrate on to Colorado in April to perform on the 1st at Belly Up, the 3rd at 320 South, the 4th at Buffalo Rose, the 5th at the Lazy Dog, the 6th at Quixote’s and on April 7th at The Goat Tavern in Keystone. If you can’t check out any of the stops on the Road be sure to check out Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Domefest! See you flockers at the Dome.
Review by Rebecca Wolfe
Photography by Rebecca Wolfe
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