PEGASI 51

"Indeed, one of the most striking features of Pegasi’s music is that despite the fact that they flaunt their heavy hitting mixture of post-punk, hard rock, and new wave influences they never sound rote or too derivative. The sounds of the musical antecedents are so seamlessly assimilated and rewoven as to leave you scratching your head, certain that you’d heard a song or melody before, yet maddeningly incapable of placing it. That, and the metalloid ferocity of their ensemble chemistry, marks Pegasi 51 as arguably the most galvanizing and powerful outfit the city has to offer on the heavier end of the musical spectrum. Lest you doubt, seek out any one (or all three) of the band’s CD releases—System, Space Riot, and Le Petite Morte." (Mike Gibson) Metro Pulse ‘eye on the scene’ Jan 10 2008 - Mike Gibson

While many band reunions are ill-fated, Pegasi 51 is going strong in its fourth year together following an eight-year hiatus. In its initial four-year stint, lasting 1997-2001, the act purveyed a sound heavily influenced by Goth and glam sounds of the '80s. After reassembling in 2008, Pegasi has reached further back to the '70s for its inspiration and now constructs up-tempo, high-energy, straightforward rock. The group's 2011 release, "Under a Full Moon," gives an indication of where its collective heads are now, and its follow-up, currently in the works, shows the progression of this infectious new sound.

Citing a more relaxed attitude in its second term, Pegasi 51 displays cohesion in its latest efforts. The band's first venture, by comparison, was tense and volatile given the act's make-it-or-break mentality, but this time around Pegasi has allowed its creative products to come more naturally. Without losing any ambition to take the act as far as possible, Pegasi 51 seeks alternate routes to success through licensing and steady local bookings rather than pursuing demanding, unproductive, cross-country tours.

"I just think we're a lot more comfortable with each other," says drummer Kicki Pena of the band's renewed zeal. "We're really enjoying it more this time around. There's not so much pressure."

"There's not as much pressure to make anything huge out of it," adds vocalist Rusty Yarnell. "We still have ambition to take it as far as we can, but there's no pressure to have to do it. We just want to write some good songs and get people to hear them and see what happens."

Keeping with its low-stress formula, for its second full-length release since reconvening, Pegasi 51 will self-record live tracks in an attempt to capture the energy of its live outings. In addition to portraying the intensity of the band's performances, this method will provide the band more time and control to put together its best product. Rock Snob Records, who recorded the band's last album, will remain involved in the process through a mixing and mastering role.

"I think we can't handle the hurry-up-and-wait stuff in the studios," admits guitarist Greg McGuire. "We record our practices and go back and listen to them, and it sounds great. We ask ourselves why can't we produce that in a studio..."

"What we're working on now is a live album," continues K. Pena. "We're recording it at Greg's house little by little, and then we're going to have it mastered by Eric (Nowinski) at Rock Snob. We did 'Under a Full Moon' with him as well, and this time we're going to try to do it off the cuff, live, to try to give it that feeling."

The live recording will suit Pegasi's new high-octane, low-frills rock style. While asserting that it never sets out with a particular sound in mind, the group acknowledges different influences for its latest material, which is noticeably inspired by '70s punk acts without being derivative.

"They didn't scare us away," says K. Pena of the recent '80s-obsessed chill wave movement. "If we want to play something like that, we will still play it. Sometimes we do play things that may sound like that. It's not a conscious effort to play things with that sound or with a '70s sound. It's relaxed. We play what we want to, feel out the crowd and see what they seem to want."

"It does have more '70s influence these days," adds McGuire. "Years ago it was The Smiths, The Cure, New Order and Joy Division; now it seems like more of us are into New York Dolls, Sex Pistols and The Stooges, and I think it shows in our songs." - http://www.knoxnews.com/

..now for something Joy Division-ish. - TYMEXPYRES

Pegasi 51 will be performing at The Acoustic Coffeehouse Next Door stage on July 11 for a taste of post-punk rock from the Knoxville music scene.

The four-piece group includes Russell Yarnell on vocals, Greg McGuire on guitar, Kicki Pena on drums and Tevy Pena on bass.

The group had developed a strong following until it disbanded in 2002, only to re-form in late 2007 and pick up where it left off. It’s Goth-inspired post-punk with a new wave influence — hard-driving, bass-driven, catchy.

Pegasi 51 have three full-length albums to their credit as well as five EP’s and are in the process of putting out their first “new” CD, expected this summer.

During their nearly five-year hiatus, members were in the groups Justin Melendy and the Bros. Pena as well as Agent Zarkov. Those groups disbanded at roughly the same time, setting the stage for Pegasi 51 to live and breathe again.

Emma Hill and Her Gentlemen Callers, acoustic folk troubadors from Portland, Ore., will open the show at 9 p.m., followed by Pegasi 51 at 10.

For more on the group, visit myspace.com/pegasi51knoxville. - Johnson city Press

High-energy pounding rock very much reminding me of the sonic attack of perennial British festival circuit stalwarts Hawkwind. Atmospheric keyboards burble away in the background underpinning suitably cosmic lyrics about 'Electric Clouds' and the like. In some parts there is even a little reminder of the late, great Wall of Voodoo's take on music. (10 points to any one who remembers them!) It's not all love and light in the strange world of Pegasi 51 however, there is definitely a more contemporary vibe to a lot of the songs. There is even (gulp) a Joy Division cover version and, before all you dour young men in long coats start screaming sacrilege, it is actually handled in a very competent manner. Tight, competent and enjoyable is my verdict on this band that hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. (CB) - Acid Attack

Having formed in early 1997, local post-punk purveyor Pegasi 51 may be working harder than it ever has. With three releases to the band’s credit, the group that took a four and a half year hiatus between 2002 and 2006 hopes to begin recording a fourth album eight long years after its last release.

Pegasi 51 was sidelined for nearly five years while the individual band members pursued other projects. Brothers Jose and Tevy Pena (drummer and bassist, respectively) developed a more rock ’n’ roll-influenced style in Justin Melendy and the Bros. Pena, while vocalist Rusty Yarnell and guitarist Greg McGuire opted for the punk-minded Agent Zarkov. When the duos recombined, these sounds were incorporated into an already diverse portfolio of styles. The band once known for its punk rhythms and ’80s Goth melodies is now going in a rock direction while keeping its staple elements, and what began on an experimental and temporary reunion basis has grown back into a full-time status as the band is actively seeking as many shows as possible to showcase both its old and new material.

“They had The Justin Melendy and the Bros. Pena project, and me and the guitar player Greg had Agent Zarkov,” says Yarnell. “It just so happened that we all separated from those projects at the same time and were looking to do something else and got back together. I guess we just decided to stick it out.

“We’ve kind of steered toward more of a rock ’n’ roll sound. Greg’s been listening to a lot of garage band stuff, so we flirt with that a little. We always keep the punk edge in there because that’s what we all like. There’s a rockabilly flavor in there, sometimes classic rock, and we still have a little Goth sound here and there. You can’t pick an album or a select group of songs and put it in one genre. It’s hard to do that with us.”

Regrouped for nearly three years, Pegasi 51 is currently writing the last material needed for a full-length album it hopes to have finished by this summer. Upon its release the band hopes to enlist in some regional festivals and small tours.

“We’re all getting older, and we want to make the best music we can and try to keep putting out stuff,” Jose Pena explains. “It’s not some grand scheme. It’s fun to do, and we have a blast playing it. We still write good music and want to put it out. A little recognition would be nice.”

“Right now we’re trying to collect songs and get something together that’s hopefully a better project than anything we’ve ever done,” Yarnell continues. “It’ll be totally different but still have our sound. The songs we’re coming up with are really good, but we’re only keeping the best of the best for a record. We want to make an album with no filler.”

Despite playing the scene for more than a decade, this weekend Pegasi 51 is excited to play 4620 for the first time, citing the experience as new for a number of reasons.

“The place has no stage,” Yarnell says. “The bands just set up in the floor, and we haven’t had a show like that outside some house parties. I think it would be cool to be on eye-level with the crowd.”

Pegasi 51 will perform at 4620 Saturday night along with Soundtrack Black and One vs. One. Music starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $5 at the door. On June 5, Pegasi 51 joins The Trampskirts, playing The Longbranch on The Strip. That show is scheduled for 9 p.m. and costs $5. On June 11, the group will also visit Johnson City for a gig at The Acoustic Coffee House.

- Knoxville.com