RHYTHM METHOD
A LASCIVOUS BLEND OF FUNK, R & B AND BLUES

A Rhythm Method that Works

A friend of mine's high school yearbook quote reads, "When you're hot, hit hard, because when you're cold, you stay cold a long time." Perhaps a cynical view for on so young, but most would probably agree on the veracity of this truism. If the hot and cold theory is in fact the way of the world, then Rhythm Method should hit hard right now, because all of the sudden, this little known Portsmouth quartet has gotten very hot indeed.

Guitarist Chuck Wentzel explains the momentum. "We've been together for two years now, playing at the smaller clubs around here once in a while. My last band situation ended kind of ugly, so it was important for me personally to something good happening. I've known (bassist) Chad Owen since I was a kid, and I've played with (drummer) Gene Guth for years. We started playing together after this last thing fell apart and then Chad ran into (vocalist/guitarist) Pete Peterson at a jam session. Now all of a sudden we're doing ten gigs a month, and we have a Saturday night booked at The Muddy River Smokehouse. I'm really happy with where we are right now."

Each year, The Muddy River Smoke Smokehouse plays host to the local leg of The International Blues Talent competition. Winner of the local competition are then eligible for the national competition, to be held in Memphis, Tennessee in late January. Winner of the national competition, to be held in Memphis, Tennessee in late January. Winner of the national competition receives a cash award, studio time and bragging rights. This year's top honors went to the relatively unknown Rhythm Method. The members of the band are grateful for the recognition, but are also skeptical of any "good, better, best" mentality that is applied to music.

"Everybody played great that night," vocalist Pete Peterson said. "All the bands were so good. We probably benefited from playing last. At the end of this great night of music they had to make some kind of decision and it happened to be us. We're happy about it of course, and it's helping us out getting gigs, but it doesn't really mean anything about how good our band is. We're as good as we were before we won the damn thing."

What it really means is that Rhythm Method will be competing in the national finals. It's a cattle call, but it's a legitimate sniff at the next level. "We're travelling 1800 miles to play for ten minutes." Wentzel said smiling. "A lot of our friends are travelling with us. Two of our closest freinds got the date wrong and booked non-refundable airline tickets and rooms and everything. Now they're going to Memphis twice!"

Everyone knows how painful it to watch the Miss America pageant when you're from New Hampshire. We never make it past the first elimination. Miss New Hampshire is invariably a stout brunette with teeth and gums that look like Mount Rushmore and a bouffon that could put your eye out. She's fifteen pounds heavier than any contestant her height or shorter.

Not so when we send our lads from Rhythm Method down to the land of Elvis, Sun Records, Stax Volt, Atlantic Records and Aretha Franklin. Rhythm Method is an excellent band that will represent us well in Memphis. Pete Peterson is a genuinely moving, soulful vocalist, and as a guitar player, he brings a pure and elemental authority to the stage. He is a natural musician who's life has taken a lot of different turns, and he delivers all of it, every night, though his voice and guitar. He addresses his lyrics with conviction and doubt at the same time, creative on the spot, always really playing music. If Pete's got a nice monitor mix, and he's singing a soul song, this brother can deliver a tune like nobody else around. He's not a showboat, not a grandstander. He does what Bobby Womack and Marvin Gaye did so well-go deep and make the people follow you.

On top of that, he's got a tight as can be bass and drums in back of him, and a very involved lead guitarist in Chuck Wentzell. Wentzell has a big, buoyant sound (and a tube amp to die for), he can burn or lay back on cue. This band has everything they need to pull off a successful bar gig or a concert, and in spite of the band's rather provocative name, they've even been landing the occasional wedding.

"We hear all the jokes of course. Some guy yelling, "It doesn't work" Most people seem to like the name and nobody's gotten really offended so far." Pete Peterson has a disarming sweetness that makes him a natural for audience palaver, but he always seems eager to get back to the music.

Rhythm Method is currently putting the finishing touches on a CD project stated for release before the new year. I consists of four original songs, three by Peterson, one by Wentzell. Intended a promotional tool, retail product and learning experience, this their first CD was recorded with only a very few brief overdubs, and mixed without any intrusive processing. The recording sounds like the band, and the band sounds great. Applause goes to Chris Magrauder at Thundering Sky recording Studios for understanding what this band does well, and capturing it without pretense.

If you haven't heard this group and you like authentic blues and soul music, this band is worth the drive. Pete's tunes sound like they are from the seventies, and some of them are, but they still sound new. They are beautifully written and performed and the band has a brisk schedule this month. CE sez check it out.

Portsmouth Times
Portland Times Record