PRINTHow Columbia got its groove back
Georgia rockers use renewable energy to do their part
Courtesy of PGroove.com
Perpetual Groove created its latest jam rock LP, LiveLoveDie, and tours using only renewable energy.
September 20, 2007 | 12:00 a.m. CST
The jam rock group Perpetual Groove doesn’t just talk about change. During the past four years the group’s popularity has steadily risen. Its sound has gone from funk-laced neo-psychedelic to a more structured rock tone. Although the sound may have gotten a little harder, the group has never abandoned its tree-hugging tendencies. The band comes to The Blue Note Sept. 25 in support of its latest release, LiveLoveDie, which was produced entirely with renewable energy.
“The band showed an interest a long time ago in wanting to be as environmentally friendly as we could be without being preachy from the stage,” says keyboardist Matt McDonald. “If you feel strongly about something, then let your actions speak for it.”
What: Perpetual Groove
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: The Blue Note
Cost: $12
Call: 874-1944
The Athens, Georgia-based group, which includes McDonald, Adam Perry (bass), Brock Butler (guitar and vocals) and Albert Suttle (drums), points to its record label, Tree Leaf Music, and Tree Sound Studios, as being instrumental in making its green-friendly philosophy a reality. The studio receives 50 percent of its energy from a methane gas-producing landfill while the other 50 percent is purchased through renewable energy sources. Packaging is made from 100 percent recycled papers printed with soy ink and no plastic casing.
While touring, the band teams with Sustainable Waves and Green Mountain Energy to counteract its carbon output. “We can look at the band’s entire tour and figure out how much carbon dioxide they’re causing through their bus travel as well as any flights they take,” says Mark McLarry, co-founder of Sustainable Waves. “Basically we look at the entire carbon footprint of the tour, and from there, Perpetual Groove purchases renewable energy from Green Mountain to offset those emissions, so it’s carbon neutral.” Sustainable Waves also provides solar-powered stages and sound systems.
For its fourth and latest release, LiveLoveDie, the group incorporates a more traditional rock feel to its sound.
“Each year we get maybe a little darker or a little heavier with subject matter and with songwriting,” explains McDonald. “It seems to be a good snapshot of where we decided to go, (with) a lot more structure.”
The band, however, has by no means abandoned the spontaneity that earned the group its core fans. McDonald says that the jam element is still a priority. “Some songs have sections … left open for more improvisation.”
McDonald says Perpetual Groove’s message is personal responsibility. “It’s not as overwhelming to get involved as people talk about. We kind of show them and hope they follow our lead.”
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