THE PIPER DOWNS -- Varying Degrees of Failure and Tunelessness

Fire up the CD player with the volume jacked. Hit "play." The sound waves created by the pulsing rock drum beat hit you like a train. Then the crisp guitar chords kick in followed by a crankin’ bass guitar groove. Rock and Roll!! It’s THE PIPER DOWNS and the song is appropriately titled "Louder." It’s track 1 on their new CD, "Varying Degrees of Failure and Tunelessness." Cue track 2, and the jangling rock guitar chord intro is followed by the bass guitar and drums kickin’ in. MORE Rock and Roll!! The second track, "Hardcore," kicks as much rock ‘n’ roll butt as track 1.

The new CD by THE PIPER DOWNS is described on the PD’s website as "Unforgettable, unmistakable, relentless power pop - Jimmy ate the World and it had a Foo Fighter aftertaste." I agree completely, and THE PIPER DOWNS sound also reminds me of the Smithereens at their best - crisp guitar rhythms with a great bass guitar/drum section, plus awesome vocals and harmony. Other tracks kick, too, such as "When I needed You," "Stutter," and "10 Speed."

THE PIPER DOWNS were formed in 1996 as a trio featuring Bobby Bognar on guitar and lead vocals, Garner Knutson on lead guitar, and Yell on bass. The three band members were all students at Virginia Commonwealth University and it was there that they met and created the beginnings of what is now THE PIPER DOWNS. The band subsequently added a drummer - Ellen McGuyer, a stand-out percussionist known for her hard, rock drumming.

THE PIPER DOWNS are ready to break nationally, but for now they are touring hard, giving the fans some great rock and roll, from Chicago to Denver back to their home base of Los Angeles, and even to Australia. Pick up a copy of their GREAT new CD - "Varying Degrees of Failure and Tunelessness" - on the web at piperdowns.com, or listen to this up-and-coming rockin’ band on Maine’s alternative music station -- 89.7FM, WMHB Waterville.