The concept of ‘going green’ has a stigma around it – either it’s too difficult, too granola-crunchy or too expensive. But unusual suspects, a special southern rock band, decided to go ahead and try it out. If you take a look at their success, you’ll realize being green can be easy and apparently fuels the inspirational fire.
Perpetual Groove, hailing from Athens, Georgia, is comprised as most bands are of passionate souls. A read of their biographies shows a wide spectrum of interests – from K-cars to polka music – but as a group, decided to work toward fighting against environmental threats like global warming. They entered into a partnership with Tree Leaf Music, an organizational that ties together music and art under a ‘go green’ banner. The partnership aided Perpetual Groove in getting fully greened out. They produced their latest album entirely with renewable energy, buy carbon offsets as they tour, and print tickets on hemp/flax recycled paper.
‘It is quite inexpensive, and makes such a big difference. It’s not even that it is the responsible thing to do, but the right thing to do,’ said Matt McDonald, Perpetual Groove’s keyboardist/guitarist. It was in 2004 that Perpetual Groove joined forces with Paul Diaz, CEO of Tree Leaf Records, to carry out Diaz’s vision of producing an album with renewable energy. ‘We are just ordinary suburban white kids in a band and the idea of becoming eco-friendly had a hippie stigma surrounding it that we were afraid our fans wouldn’t connect with.’
The relationship between the fans and the band is deep – one of Perpetual Groove’s trademark characteristics. Throughout the greening process, the fans have stood strong and continue to do so. ‘We are real lucky for our fans. We even have a solid group who comes to where we are each night which creates a symbiotic energetic relationship,’ McDonald said. Lately Perpetual Groove has been on a weekend warrior kick performing mostly on the East Coast. They are about to embark on a six-week tour with a stop at the Crystal Bay Casino on Feb. 23. ‘The last time we played in Tahoe at Crystal Bay Casino was in October of 2006 and the crowd was solid,’ McDonald said.
Perpetual Groove will be performing songs from their 2007 release LIVELOVEDIE, which differs from previous Perpetual Groove records in that this album is more lyrical and singer/songwriter-oriented, prompting some to say the group is now a rock band. There’re still elements of their groovy arena rock sound, but they’ve gone edgier and heavier. This album, Perpetual Groove’s third, was produced by Grammy award-winner Robert Hannon, who also worked with OutKast on Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Fans on Feb. 23 can also look forward to some fresh unrecorded tracks, according to McDonald. ‘We are in a great creative time and phase. We have had a lot of rehearsal time and when you are on the road the ideas flow.’
On top of touring all over the world, Perpetual Groove has played some major festivals from Bonnaroo and Langerado to the High Sierra Music Festival. ‘The most memorable festival for me would have to be Bonnaroo in 2005. I have heard numerous variations of the actual crowd count, but it was something like 20,000 people. I still listen to that set when I need to recharge,’ McDonald said. Another of his favorite festivals to play is Langerado held in Southern Florida, his home state, which means his kids and family get to attend.
Growing up in a musical household gave McDonald the opportunity to experiment with different instruments. In college, he became a guitar major – ‘mostly for the girls’ – but having also been trained in classical piano he held on to his passion for the keys. In the military, he met up with drummer Albert Suttle and switched gears to playing keys again. Once back in the states, Suttle and McDonald hooked up with Adam Perry (bassist) and Brock Butler (lead vocals/guitarist) who had already been playing bars around the Savannah, Georgia, area as Perpetual Groove. They all hit it off and have been on the same page ever since. Playing rock ‘n’ roll while doing their part to change the world.
Perpetual Groove’s Save 41-Tour stop at the Crystal Bay Casino is a free show so if curiosity is creating a tingle, soothe it on Feb. 23.
•Perpetual Groove is based in Athens, Georgia where an eco-friendly lifestyle persists even at home.
•Perpetual Groove’s latest release LIVELOVEDIE was produced with renewable energy.
•Perpetual Groove’s environmentally conscience way of conducting business proves that any one person at any time can make a difference.
