Peter Prince & The Trauma Unit gets back to the musical roots of its members and "the scene". The electrifying, soulful energy of these performances brings listeners back to a time when Motown was king, Staxx was the sound and R&B was cool! Whereas the songs and grooves bring that vibe to the fore, Peter Prince and his signature Rocket Soul bring it over the top in a contemporary way and propel it into the 23rd Century. The Trauma Unit provides a deep R&B/soul context for Peter to shine in. The band features a whole lot of new material written by Peter Prince and Johnny Trama (Moon Boot Lover, Rocket Band, Ron Levy), as well as some Moon Boot Lover tunes and a few choice covers. Peter and Johnny both play lead and rhythm guitar, and are joined by Eric Kalb (Deep Banana Blackout) in the drummer's seat and Justin Wallace (Ulu) on bass guitar. Filling out the lineup are Paul Ahlstrand on tenor sax (Susan Tedeschi, Ronnie Earl), Brian Thomas on trombone (John Brown's Body) and a revolving door of keyboardists including Paul Wallstencroft (Jiggle), Jesse Gibbon (Schleigho), Marco Benevento (Jazz Farmers, Organ & Drum) and maybe a couple of other special guests based on their availability. Speaking of availability, as these are a bunch of "in demand" players, expect to see some fun substitutions/guests like Gary Wicks (Moon Boot Lover, Rocket Band) on bass guitar and Joe Russo (Fat Mama, Robert Bradley, Organ & Drum) on drums.

Bob Halperin is one of America's master guitarists. Known primarily for his fast clean slide guitar, intricate fingerpicking, and his heart-felt delivery, he has played throughout New England, in the Pacific Northwest, Western Europe, Canada, and New York. Bob has shared the stage with many of the finest acoustic musicians, including Spider John Koerner, Jaime Brockett, Geoff Muldaur, Dave Van Ronk, Cormac McCarthy, and Rory Block Bob came to country blues in his early teens after meeting and hearing Roy Book Binder. He studied with the Rev. Gary Davis and began playing in coffeehouses while still in high school. In 1997, Bob recorded his CD, "All Kinds of Blues", produced by his friend Jaime Brockett. In addition, Bob has recorded with Orrin Star, Cozy Sheridan, Karl Conrad, Bob Holmes, Jerry Short, Kim Wallach, The Dady Brothers, Joe LaMay and Sherry Reese, and former Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich. Also, he appeared on the gospel slide guitar compilation, "Working on a Building".

Most often compared to Stevie Wonder, and Jamiroquoi, the sound that rises out of Ryan’s voice box undoubtedly comes from very, very deep within. Tracy Chapman and Martin Sexton are also common comparisons, but the sound, without question, is one all his own. Combined with a truly unique guitar style and a love of the English language, Ryan brings the complete package of what he boldly calls the "holy trinity" of a singer-songwriter’s music: guitar, voice and words. Get him a stage and a microphone, and Ryan combines these three elements with a fiery intensity that drops jaws nightly.

Formed in 1998 in New York’s Hudson Valley, Pete Pidgeon and Arcoda moved to Boston in late 2001 and has already headlined House Of Blues (Cambridge, MA), Harper’s Ferry (Allston, MA), Lizard Lounge (Cambridge, MA), and Living Room (Providence, RI). Since Halloween 2001, Arcoda has recorded with drummer Levon Helm of The Band, headlined over Mystery Mullet Circus (Miracle Orchestra and Fat Mama members), co-headlined with Living Daylights, and been paired onstage with acts The Slip, Ulu, and Uncle Sammy among others. Arcoda’s lineup has included many well-known members over the years including members of Miracle Orchestra, Addison Groove Project, moe., Perfect Thyroid, Moon Boot Lover, Percy Hill, and Tom Arey and Brian O’Connell of Uncle Sammy who acted as Arcoda’s rhythm section for five months. Arcoda’s extensive roster of guest appearances features such high-caliber musicians as David Castiglione (played with Don Cherry, John Zorn), Richard Carr (played with Bucky Pizzarelli), Andrew Barr of The Slip, Scott Chasolen and Aaron Gardner of Ulu, Jessica Lurie of Living Daylights, Garrett Sayers of The Motet, Gabe Johnson of Soulwork/ Jive Talkin’ Robots, and MC Kabir. Arcoda’s fulltime lineup is Pete Pidgeon on vocals and guitars, Adam Beamer on piano and vocals, Jeremy Gustin on drumset, percussion and vocals, and Seth Rivers on upright and electric basses and vocals.

Acoustic duo Charlie Carozzo and Gary Backstrom can be seen every Sunday night at the Attic Bar. Gary, a singer, songwriter and natural lead-guitar player is the front man for original rock band JIGGLE THE HANDLE. JIGGLE has produced a number of well-recieved CDs and toured extensively including two trips to the West Coast. They still play sellout shows between Gary's various other musical projects. Charlie, a singer, songwriter and natural rhythm-guitar player is the front man for the original rock band ANOTHER PLANET. PLANET enjoyed serious East coast success and released a fantastic CD. Charlie keeps increasing his repertoire of songs and he has been the driving force behind THE COALBOILERS upcoming CD of original songs.

Musical trio featuring Gary Backstrom of Jiggle the Handle

Harmony and improvisation are his specialties, and classic rock, jazz, blues, snowboarding, and frisbee golf are his main influences. Felix has recorded a number of CDs and toured nationally with Shockra, The Heavy Metal Horns, and Another Planet. You can catch him currently jamming with his own band Catfish as well as many other local artists.

Acoustic Bluesy, Folksy, rocky type thing, circa 1973, kinda ~ sorta. Todd has jammed around town in a couple of projects: 9lb bag, and Dali, but is most frequently heard playing 'round a campfire nestled deep, deep into a forest to the adoration of chipmunks and squirrels alike. His songs have been called "honest" and "from the heart" and "a bit out of key", but hey, who needs keys if you never lock the door? Check him out.

Brian O'Connell has been seen and heard extensively playing bass with Boston's popular Uncle Sammy in the Northeast and East Coast for over 6 years. Performing with Uncle Sammy at hundreds of clubs and festivals he has been known to put down his bass and reach for a strange looking instrument with a very wide neck and more strings than you can count, known as the Touch Guitar, it is played by tapping the strings like you would play a piano. Using 12 bass and guitar strings combined with signal processing the Touch Guitar can produce sounds ranging from dreamy psychedelic landscapes to rhythmically charged outbursts. Brian grew up in Buffalo, NY before coming to Boston to attend Berklee were he met the members of Uncle Sammy. After years of extensive playing Uncle Sammy is calling it quits this September. For most of 2003 Brian has been playing and touring with the Gordon Stone Band. Brians set at Melting Pot III marks a new stage in his development as he delves into the world of solo performance featuring the Touch Guitar and a little Bass too. Brian has also appeared live with Tim Palmieris (Psychedelic Breakfast) Diesel Experiments as well as Jen Durkin and the Bomb Squad and has worked in the studio twice with Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa/ Steve Vai).
www.unclesammy.com, www.gordonstone.com, www.warrguitars.com, www.stick.com

Hugh McGowan's music rests somewhere between the storytelling of folk and the melody of pop. His touch on the acoustic guitar brings out the full dynamic range of the instrument with all the squeaks, rattles and resonance. His voice is a sonorous tenor, rich in expression and clear as a bell. His songs borrow as much from Radiohead as Rufus Wainwright and the poetry of Rumi but are clearly declarations of his own...Think somewhere between Sting and Michael Hedges... HUGH McGOWAN has become a fixture on the Boston Acoustic scene. He hosts the fabulous Open Mic night every Tuesday at The Burren Pub in Davis Square and now also at the Skellig in Waltham. Hugh can found as well at venues like The Kendall Cafe, Middle East, the Druid Pub, and the Littlest Pub. A dynamic performer not to miss!!!!!!! New CD for sale at Gigs!!!!!!!!!

Jen Comeau has been compared to Etta James and Eva Cassidy, with her soulful voice, bluesy style and way of reaching a eclectic musical audience. She has shared the stage with performers from all over Boston and gave a heartfelt performance at last year on the MPJ stage with Scott Yount on acoustic guitar. Keep your ears open for her on Sunday September 14th. Jen will bring her talented timber to our festival. Soak her notes in over breakfast.

Mick Foret and Jack "Dr. K"

Tickets
$25 in advance or $35 @ gate
Buy online or at any of the bands' shows