Music
Press
Opposites compete on "Songs of Death and Happiness," the debut CD by the Pharmacy Prophets, as acoustic guitar textures are pitted against stomp box-triggered squalls and full-throated guitar solos.
A classic modern rock strategy, the juxtaposition still packs plenty of punch and tension when a band exploits it as effectively as this local quartet. Still, the Prophets have more to offer than just a series of cleverly modulated soundscapes.
Lead vocalist Steve Bowes has lung power to spare, and the songs he's composed with fellow guitarist T. Wesley are refreshingly smart and durable. Unanswered questions -- or in some cases, unanswerable questions -- inspire several tunes, including the opening tracks "Amen" and "Rob's Song," plus the romantic interlude "For Me for You."
Bowes has no problem shifting moods, some of which are graced by strings, but the best moments often come when he and his bandmates sound like they're eager to settle a score on "Earlgray" and other tunes.
--Mike Joyce – The Washington Post - the Washington Post
Steve Bowes’ voice immediately grabs your attention as he switches between gentle, beautiful melodies and gruff, dark rumblings. This would be all for naught,
however, if Pharmacy Prophets’ lyrics were irrelevant.
But one of the most intriguing aspects of this CD is the portrait painted in the words that are clearly the focus of this album.
John Schlickenmeyer, On Tap Magazine
- On Tap Magazine
The Pharmacy Prophets are as forceful in person as they are on their most excellent debut CD, Songs of Death and Happiness.
Dave Nuttycombe, Washington City Paper
- Washington City Paper
True to its origins, the album has guitar-based, melodic underpinnings, but layers of electric guitar – and even strings on some songs – add depth to the intense
lyrical ruminations.
Marianne Meyer, The Washington Post
- WAshington Post
Discography
Songs of Death and Happiness - album- 2003
Tired Boy - single - 2004
Pan Into the Grayscale - EP - 2005
Photos
Bio
The Pharmacy Prophets have been a staple in the live music scene in DC, Baltimore, NYC and points East, West, North and South since 2002. 2005 will highlight the release of an EP in September, a video shoot in April, tours to the South and Midwest and preparing for an album release and European tour near for 2006.
The band's first album, "Songs of Death and Happiness" has sold very strongly on iTunes and cdBaby and the band has received airplay worldwide on XM Satellite Radio and on major market radio in Washington D.C., Richmond, VA., Baltimore, MD., Lexington KY., Athens, GA., Los Angeles, CA., New York, NY., Augusta, GA., London, UK., Liverpool., UK., Glasgow, Scotland and many others.
The live shows are the blood and the whiskey that fuel the whole experience and make the circle whole. The story of nights that are visceral, pretty, loud, soft, hypnotic and slightly insane, an open hand and a closed fist. The songs and the band are the screams and whispers of life, joy, sex, isolation, mania and sadness.
With influences ranging from Queen to the Sisters of Mercy, the Who and so many more in between the band coalesces into what has been hailed in the press as a "modern classic rock band." Heavy without metal, quiet without pretense the Pharmacy Prophets present a unique sound that resonates like the voices of yesterday breaking on the shoals of what's next.
The band dynamic is intriguing, the energy is raw, the players are apt and the band simply rocks and rolls like they should. The music infuses and moves the listener with a shot of what's good for the good and bad inside them.
Rock and roll baby because that's the only way to die.
The Pharmacy Prophets
“Opposites compete on "Songs of Death and Happiness," the debut CD by the Pharmacy Prophets, as acoustic guitar textures are pitted against stomp box-triggered squalls and full-throated guitar solos. A classic modern rock strategy, the juxtaposition still packs plenty of punch and tension when a band exploits it as effectively as this local quartet. Still, the Prophets have more to offer than just a series of cleverly modulated soundscapes. Lead vocalist Steve Bowes has lung power to spare, and the songs he's composed with fellow guitarist T. Wesley are refreshingly smart and durable. Unanswered questions -- or in some cases, unanswerable questions -- inspire several tunes, including the opening tracks "Amen" and "Rob's Song," plus the romantic interlude "For Me for You." Bowes has no problem shifting moods, some of which are graced by strings, but the best moments often come when he and his bandmates sound like they're eager to settle a score on "Earlgray" and other tunes.”
--Mike Joyce – The Washington Post
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