Artist Bio
Photo: Oeyvind Saetre
Welcome to the world of P:O:B! Mind you, the band figures it will grab your attention better by abbreviating that from the initial Pedestrians Of Blue monicker, but I thought you should know what's behind it all. Still mystified? Well, then read on...
Just like the longer version of the band's name, P:O:B's music isn't all that easy to pin down either: The guitar riffs might be heavy and precise, but they are frequently countered by fluid and melodic leads. The vocals certainly soar like they should, but move beyond the confines of standard fare melodic rock. Oh yes, and you'll find a healthy dose of keyboard work to revel in, too, but it broadens as opposed to softening the music's impact. Grounding it all is a powerful and real rhythm section which is never short on neither finesse nor energy.
Perhaps as importantly, P:O:B mainmen Johannes Støle (vocals, keyboards) and Torfinn Sirnes (guitars) write excellent songs. They are also proficient in arranging and recording them, plus that they enlisted Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye) and Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Masterplan) to ensure that mixing and mastering respectively is of nothing less than the highest professional standard.
Two songs, "Promises" and "Crossing Over" are present here for you to check out for yourself, and if you like what you hear, then you're not alone: "Promises" has spent eight weeks in the Top 40 at Radio 102, the biggest local radio station of the band's native Norway. A darker and moodier side of the band is furthermore demonstrated on "Crossing Over", which doubles as the title track of the band's full length CD debut. The album was released on FishFarm Records in 2007 to all-round enthusiastic reviews, both in the printed and wired world.
In between seeing to that the rock press are familiarized with the musical of P:O:B, the band has gigged sporadically, as well as preparing material for a second album. In the meantime, make sure that you are in on this excellent band from the very beginning and grab yourself a copy of "Crossing Over". What's more, check out the band's comprehensive website at www.pedestriansofblue.com for further soundclips and information.
- Geir Aamo, Rock of Norway (Jan. 2008)
www.pedestriansofblue.com
www.myspace.com/pedestriansofblue