It looks like Jams on the Sand will be in the “Throwback Thursday” business this week.
Headlining the free beachfront concert will be the beloved New Hampshire band, Percy Hill. The band was a staple in the 90s (and early 00s) jam scene. Yes, images of shell necklaces, thick sweaters, and baggy jeans are immediately rushing to your brain aren’t they? While that’s cool and all, Percy Hill’s performance isn’t some sort of nostalgia trip. No, Percy Hill still absolutely grooves, and they will be having the beach dancing tonight.
We caught up with bassist John Leccese to talk about the band’s new song “Great White Shark,” thoughts on singles vs. albums in the digital world, performing at Peach Fest this year, andmore.
The artwork for this song has a shark bursting through an American flag with money and guns in its mouth. Can you talk about the inspiration for this song?
Many musicians and artists we know are pointing to the current social and political climate here in the US and worldwide as inspiring to their art and music, and we’re no different, I suppose. But I also think it goes a bit deeper in that certain attitudes that are pervasive in this country especially are not new and caused by anyone or thing or event that has come about in the last two years or so, and in fact those attitudes may have caused the situation rather than the other way around.
In April you dropped the track, ‘Great White Shark.’ Can you talk about how this song stands out from the rest of your catalog?
We like to think of it as a natural progression from our previous work – and it is a bit different, hopefully in a good way. Certain sounds, textures and the approach to the arrangement might sound new to longtime Percy fans, but we still think it carries our signature.
Will you be putting a new full length record this year or in the near future?
That’s a good question. We’ve been associated with our albums and being a ‘studio band.’ The advent of the digital and streaming landscape has bent the arc a bit away from albums I think, as the desire for constant content makes ‘singles’ more of the way to go currently. That’s not to say we won’t release a full record, and we’re working on more material, we’re just not sure how and when it will get released.
You guys will be at Peach Fest this year. How stoked are you guys to playing this vaunted fest?
We’re mostly honored to be included with such a great a diverse list of artists that we’ve been fans of for some many years. But yes, stoked would be a pretty good way to describe it.
John — on the band’s social media it says “John Leccese is a N.J. native. Ask him to tell you his Bruce Springsteen story sometime.” Well, we gotta ask — what’s your Bruce story?
I don’t have a direct Bruce story – YET – however good friends of ours we’re having their engagement pictures taken and he happened upon them and got in on the action and even serenaded them I believe. Who knows, maybe Thursday – us being in his stomping grounds and all – will be our chance for our very own Bruce story.
At Jams on the Sand you’ll be performing literally in front of the Atlantic Ocean, a pretty unique setting. What’s the most unique setting you’ve performed in?
Probably Jam Cruise – a cruise ship with 2000 partiers – has been our most unique play to date.
What do you love about being in this band?
I like to think of the band as having its own unique voice – while nodding to our influences – and being amongst some of the strongest and accomplished songwriters and players in our scene.
What is a definitive goal you have for the band in 2019?
We’re focused on playing our best and giving a good show for the folks who take time out of their busy schedules to make us a priority. We really appreciate it, and the best way to show them is to have them leave with smiles on their faces.
What are you most excited about for the band this year?
We have some new recordings that are being worked on as we speak, as well as many many song ideas that are in their infancy. I think I speak for everyone in the band when I say creating new music and sharing it is what excites us the most.
Percy Hill performs at Jams on the Sands at The North Beach Stage of The Anchor’s Bend at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ. The show is free. After Funk opens up the show, and will play the after-party at Wonder Bar.
