Peyoti for President

Explicitly political music in Britain still tends to generally fall into one of two categories: the angry young ska/punk bands such as king Blues and Sonic Boom Six - and those radical folk singers (Gaughan, Rosselson, Bragg) who know there's more to tradition than maypoles and fair maidens. Which is why Peyoti for President are such a breath of fresh air: they fit neither description and can hopefully confuse those who dismiss political music as the 'same old same old.'

Pietro Dimascio, London born front man, has surrounded himself with musicians, inspiration and ideas from countries as diverse as Brazil, Egypt, Syria, India, Jamaica, Italy and Spain - the ensuing racket, loosely samba driven but borrowing from right around the world is funky, fresh and vital. The up-front lyrics (wake up, rise up! listen to your conscience , because its your responsibility - wake up rise up!!) place the band somewhere Manu Chao and Rage Against the Machine though without any of their traditional rock stylings: the anger is driven by rhythm and a unique cultural mixture, acoustic guitars and hand-claps, congas and fiddle, samples and brass.

To Peyoti's credit, the album is genuinely and shockingly original.

In a globalised world, it seems more imoportant than ever to find new and universal ways of expressing anger and dissatisfaction and desire for change. This album - its title taken from a 1964 photograph of Joan Baez and Bob Dylan - sounds like a perfectly apt response to the madness of a world at war. 5 STARS - Bob Whalley - Boff Whalley

'Punk and Politics at this World Party'

London's favorite political rabble-rousers 'Peyoti for President' are currently rising the crest of an Obama shaped wave that renders their signature message of peaceful rebellion infinitely more tuneful to former sceptics. Their sound marries tub-thumping political activism with euphoric global sounds & party vibes.

Formed in 2005 by Charismatic Anglo-Italian vocalist Pietro DiMascio & Brazilian percussionist, Ulisses Bezerra - son of the legendary samba musician Bezerra da Silva, PFP quickly progressed from underground buskers to Manu Chao's personally selected suppport act. Their ever mutating live line-up features a Polish percussionist, an Irish dude on congas & bongos, a Portuguesse effects man and a Columbian bass player. One not to be missed! Published 15th March 2009 - Tamara Gausi

Wenn jemand im Kontext mit Manu Chao angekündigt wird, sollte man mittlerweile Vorsicht walten lassen. Schließlich haben die Heckwellen des Mestizo-Hypes einen Haufen mediokrer Brüll-Bands hinterlassen. Doch bei Pietro DiMascio, der sich Peyoti nennt, kann man getrost die Ohren aufsperren - vom globalisierten Einerlei führt er uns mit fast zwanzig Sidemen und -women zu einigen alten Tugenden politisch engagierten, multikulturellen Musizierens zurück. Stets ist seine hyperventilierende Gitarre und sein staccatoartig gehämmerter Gesang mit London-Akzent im Fokus, darunter klopft Ulisses Bezerra da Silva, Sohn der größten Gaunersamba-Legende Rios feurige Handperkussion.

Sparsam sind Scratch- und Electro-Effekte eingepuzzelt, erweitert werden die Farben durch sanften Frauenchor, eine derwischende Geige und eine arabische Flöte, die sich mit Auszügen aus einer Bush-Rede duelliert. Richtig spannend sind dann auch die Texte des urbanen Troubadours: Da werden die Pervertierung der Demokratie zu Jorge Bens „Mas Que Nada“-Loop offenbart, die Gehirnwäsche der Medien angeprangert, und dumme Würdenträger mit Megaphon und Akustikreggae bekämpft. Lange war Agitation mittels Worldmusic nicht mehr so packend!
- Stephan Franzen

(see English translation under)

(English translation under)

CD der Woche

Atemberaubend modern und im besten Sinne Worldpop-avantgardistisch! Unverfroren innovativ was das Integrieren und Transportieren von Klassikern in zeitgemäße Kontexte angeht ("Mas Que Nada" ist in "We The People" nur für geübte Ohren erkennbar). Maßlos frech was das Kombinieren von Samba & Salsa, Rhumba und Rock, Punk & Pop anbelangt. Das und noch viel mehr kennzeichnet "Rising Tide Of Conformity", das Debüt des bereits im Vorfeld viel Staub aufwirbelnden britischen Künstlerkollektivs Peyoti For President.
Kollege Matthias Manthe resümiert: "So liefert die Formation viel Geistreiches ab und glänzt mit Experimentierfreude - stets angereichert mit einem ordentlichen Schuss Party und Feel-Good-Stimmung." Recht hat er! Dass dieses über jeden Zweifel erhabene Amalgam auch noch politische Botschaften in ihren Texten transportiert, macht die Sache nicht unsympathischer. So gekonnt mischen sich eigentlich nur Manu Chao, Amparanoia, Lila Downs und ein paar wenige andere ins politische und gesellschaftliche Geschehen ein. Kostprobe gefällig? "Es muss nicht so sein, wie es ist. Wir haben die Wahl. In einer Gesellschaft, in der Gewehre keine Relevanz besitzen, ist Musik die Waffe der Zukunft!" Noch Fragen?

Auf englisch liest sich das noch poetischer: "It doesn't have to be like this, we have a choice ... love, hope, peace, music ... 21st century - planet earth ... music, the weapon of the future, in a society where weapons will cease to have relevance … it doesn't have to be like this, we have a choice ... !"

In diesem Wunderland möchte auch ich leben. Wo Schlangenbeschwörer und Indianer, Süd- und Nordamerikaner, Weiße und Schwarze, Alte Welt und Neue Welt ein friedliches Miteinander feiern, will ich meine Zelte für immer aufschlagen. Wo so gesungen wird, da lass dich nieder - böse Menschen haben keine Lieder.

Doch zurück in die schnöde Wirklichkeit: Klanglich und musikalisch ist Peyoti For President mit keinem der oben genannten Künstler vergleichbar, und ich muss schon tief in der Schatzkiste kramen, bevor ich in einer verdächtig staubfreien Ecke 1 Giant Leap finde, die 2001 ähnlich ausgefuchst klangen. Seither hat keine Worldmusic-Perle dieses Ausmaßes meine verwöhnten Ohren erreicht.

Es ist Bossa Nova, Pop und Samba, Rock, Flamenco und gestandenes Singer/Songwritertum. All das und noch viel mehr ist "Rising Tide Of Conformity" - und all das ist es nicht. Deshalb reißen sich die Feuilletons auch um das britische Musikerkollektiv. Oder tun sie das (noch) gar nicht? Wenn nein, dann wird es höchste Zeit, denn was Mastermind Pietro DiMascio da anstellt, gehört verboten - oder angebetet. Ich entscheide mich für Zweiteres. Bei verboten schöner Musik, die sich in unbesiedelten Zonen und unerforschtem Terrain bewegt, bleibt nur ein Fazit: Peyoti For President!

CD of the Week

CD ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Breathtakingly modern and in the very best sense World Pop & Avant Garde. What audacious, innovative integration giving transport to classics in a contemporary context. Grossly impertinent the combination of Rock, Punk & Pop, Samba, Salsa & Rhumba from British artists collective, Peyoti for President.

Mr Matthias Manthe says: So far, the spirit of empire formation & shines with experimentation - all enriched with a decent shot of the party & feel-good music!

So skillful a mix only manu Chao, Amparanoia, Lila Downs and a few others have into political socail have done. In this Peyoti wonderland I also would like to live where snake charmers and Indian, south and North Americans, whites and blacks, old world and new world are celebrating a peacefu co-existence. I want my tent up here forever, where these songs are sung - evil men have no songs. But, back to reality. Since then (2001 with 1 Giant leap album - sounded like clever), no world-music pearl on this scale has reached my ears.

It's bossa Nova, Pop & Samba, rock, Flamenco and veteran singer songwriter. All this and more. Pietro DiMascio and his band have masterminded in place is something to be banned - or adored. I hope for the latter. Where forbidden music beautiful music, in uninhabited areas and uneplored terrain - leave just one conclusion - vote Peyoti for President. - Matthias Manthe

Absolutely freakin nuts,,, Euphoric beats mix Ska, Cumbia, Flamenco, Rumba and Samba. The band lay down a manifesto for Suburban Revolutionaries. Peyoti for President are a mix of committed politics and great dance sounds. Imagine this music ringing out over Carnival with the people singing along, "and we don't give a dam and we don't give a .....!!"

They know how to grab the masses, not by the strength of the rhetoric but by the swing and the boogie.

5 STARS - Andy Snipper

(supporting Ojos de Brujo at London's Roundhouse 31 May 2009)

London band, ‘Peyoti for President’ prove that music can indeed be fire - fire which can inflame hearts and minds. It is courageous to speak your own truth, to describe the other reality than is behind the rough and dirty cloth curtain. The reality that our minds, hypnotized by the media,
are too often caused to stop short of the truth. PFP draw-back the curtain and sing about what they see –questioning official versions of events and so called ‘political
facts.’ 

Their music is an explosive mixture of different styles – full of sun and wine – notes from Latin rhythms complimented by electronic effects and powerful flamenco. It is a
fascinating mix – joyful and full of vital musical energy with (at times) thought provoking lyrics and observations. Tonight, the whole club was dancing, screaming & plunged deep in trance.

Charismatic vocalist Pietro Dimascio has got an amazing gift, making contact with the audience and a sure connoisseur of red wine! One of the strong pillars in the band is Sabio Janiak, playing drums & percussion, singing with his incredible vocal talent during his solo parts .The Invaluable contributions of Daniel Cerejo who takes care of keyboards , flute and backing vocals, Ulisses Bezerra playing congas and all kinds of Brazilians toys that a percussionist can imagine - pulsing funky bass by Luis Alfredo Garcia Castaneda.

Madness of dancing bodies, pouring wine on the stage, wildly pulsing rhythms plus amazing visuals with messages we can relate to. Strong, hot and loud. The audience with the musicians on the stage, making wild dances with sweaty bodies .... We need rebels armed with talent, love and spirit. We need revolution without guns and platitudes. We need to feel that life inside us – shimmering with strength.

Marcin Piniak, off-press.org

(Supporting Los de Abajo at Islington Academy, London, July 2008)

South American sounds, political ramblings and a slice of ska on top make them a great opener for the evening. Going to a gig on a recommendation is always interesting and often daunting but tonight is off to a great start. Whether or not you agree with their sentiment, it is difficult to disagree with their musicianship & energy! During 'We the People' we are told that they "don't give a damn" but that is difficult to believe when delivered with such passion. Bad Politician and Yo no Quiero Trabajar are other stand-out tracks which upped in funk value as the set went on. A top cap brilliant performance, and the bands CD's are eagerly snapped up. I would recommend if you like your music with an international feel, Peyoti for President is definately worth checking out!

James Taylor, eGigs.co.uk - eGigs.co.uk & off-press.org

The Independent article (published July 26th 09') featured the papers recommended artist track downloads.

Top summer download:

'We the People' - Peyoti for President - 'This track from 'Rising Tide of Conformity' by home-grown fusionists, combines samba drums and anthemic punk ferocity, and is certain to get you dancing round the camp fire.'

Also, The Independent's 'Pick of the album' asked its readers:-

"Is 'We the People' the most cheerful protest song ever?"

The Independent 3rd May published in press and on-line
reporter: Howard Male - SongLines November 2008

This spirited debut hits the ground running and doesn't let up for a moment. It's a fizzing cocktail of funked-up flamenco and Manu Chao style pop/rock which owes as much to Ojos de Brujo as it does to The Clash. Frontman DiMascio sings with a Bolanesque croon while strumming his acoustic with finger bleeding intensity and although much of the material has a political slant, there's no proselytising; these guys want to party while they're saving the world. RATING: OUTSTANDING - Howard Male

English Translation (see German original underneath)

"Agitation via world music hasn't been that enthralling for a long time: in the lyrics of this urban troubadour the perverseness of democracy is disclosed using Jorge Ben's 'mas que nada'-loop and the media brainwashing is decried, stupid dignitaries are fought against with a megaphone and acoustic reggae. The hyperventilating guitar and the staccato vocals are supported by fiery hand percussion,
scratch and electro effects are braided in sparingly, a suave women's choir, a dervish violin and an Arabic flute are duelling with a Bush speech." 4/5 STARS

"Lange war agitation mittels world music nicht mehr so packend: in den Texten dieses urbanen Troubadours wird die Pervertierung der Demokratie zu Jorge Bens 'Mas Que Nada' - Loop offenbart und die Gehirnwasche der Medien angeprangert, es werden dumme Wurdentrager mit megafon und Akustik-Raggae bekampft. Die hyperventilierende Gitarre und den staccatoartigen Gesang stutzt feurige Handperkussion, sparsam sind Scratch - und Electro-Effekte eeingeflochten, dazu tritt ein sanfter Frauenchor, eine Derwisch-Geige und eine arabische Flote, die sich mit einer Bush-Rede duelliert." - Stefan Franzen

Awarded: 'TOP OF THE WORLD ALBUM 2009'

From the first few ‘Firestarter’-like bars of the opener, ‘Take A Leap’, which swerves sharply through a musical slalom of ticking clocks, crowd noises, insistent flamenco, staccato salsa and echoey male vocals about revolution and fighting the system, Peyoti for President has you sitting up, hair on end, and taking notice. Manu Chao did; the rabble-rousing London collective ended up supporting their hero on his recent sell-out UK tour as a result.
Initially envisioned by Anglo-Italian singer Pietro DiMascio and Anglo-Brazilian percussionist Ulisses Bezerra, Peyoti for President cut and paste together pop, politics, sound effects and the sounds of multicultural London on this quite stunning debut. Tracks like the carnivalesque ‘We The People’ sweeten messages such as ‘Commodity, pathology and craven anti-ology/Competing in a partnership of broken ideology’ with whistles and smooth bossa touches; while ‘No Me Siento Malo’ is a rollicking tale of unrequited love that has a chugging party vibe.
DiMascio’s voice is compelling: rich, resonant and beautifully enunciated. He is something of a standard bearer for a musically savvy generation of party-loving activists – he’s up there with the likes of revered British Asian percussionist Dinesh, erstwhile Natacha Atlas ney player Louai Alhenawi and a wealth of musicians from Australia and India to Jamaica and Spain. ‘Protest the rising tide of conformity’ ordered Bob Dylan and Joan Baez in 1964. Forty-odd years later, with consumerism running riot, Peyoti for President are still pulling the plug out.
Jane Cornwell 4/5 STARS

LOOK WHO'S RIDING THE CREST
(songlines November 2008)

London based Peyoti for President are fast emerging as the UK music scene's leading political agitators. Led by British-Italian Pietro DiMascio and with inflammatory lyrics laden with consciousness, their music is powerful and heartfelt. The title of their debut single 'We the People' is taken directly from the 1787 US constitution - an expression reminding us that as people we are free to think as individuals instead of blidly following global politics. This solemn message is communicated through surprisingly uplifting music, an exhilarating mix of bossa nova and latin beats. Peyoti may preach peace and harmony, but this is incendiary music - they cannot and surely will not be ignored. - Jane Cornwell