Peter Baldrachi

Music:

Member Since: 2/4/2007
Band Website: PeterBaldrachi.com
Band Members: Peter Baldrachi (vocals & guitar), Gary Rand (lead guitar), K.R. Mogensen (guitar), John Parrillo (bass), Bob Nisi (drums)

Influences: The Rolling Stones, The Damned, Buzzcocks, The Replacements, Ramones, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Keith Richards, Johnny Thunders, Joy Division, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Roky Erickson, Camper Van Beethoven, The Modern Lovers, Sex Pistols, Charlie Watts, Steve Jordan, Bob Dylan, Dwight Yoakam, New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers, Big Star, Tommy Stinson, Urge Overkill, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Grant Hart, George Jones, The Monkees, Paul K. & The Weathermen, Slim Dunlap, The Libertines, Nikki Sudden, Jacobites, Calexico, Television, Paul Westerberg, Lucinda Williams, Blondie, Chris Mars, Frank Black, Bill Berry, Patti Smith Group, Steve Earle, R.E.M., Matthew Sweet, David Bowie, Sparklehorse, Paul Weller
DISCOGRAPHY:

SOLID GROUND (2006)
Available at
CDBaby.com
NotLame.com
KoolKatMusik
Amazon

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REVIEWS for Solid Ground:
“Talk about a transformation. After manning the skins for Boston’s Krushr, a hard-rock outfit that drew comparisons to everybody from Nirvana to Queens of the Stone Age, drummer-turned-singer-songwriter Peter Baldrachi turned down the volume and turned up the melody. The result is his solo debut, “Solid Ground,” whose wistful charm and warmly ragged pop hooks owe far more to Paul Westerberg than Kurt Cobain. The ground Baldrachi’s standing on these days may not be as rock hard, but it’s a lovely landscape with a gorgeous view.” - Jonathan Perry “The Boston Globe”
"Peter Baldrachi evokes the usual suspects on his solo debut, summoning up the spirit of ‘60s Brit rockers and ‘70s retro revivalists. As a relative newcomer - he previously recorded occasionally with the Boston band Krushr - Baldrachi seems remarkably assured, thanks in large measure to a power pop instinct that’s unfailingly infectious and unceasingly compelling. In fact, he may be the most commanding singer/drummer since Dave Clark, although his swagger and sneer position him closer in stance to John Lennon and early Elvis Costello.Solid Ground is more than merely a one-man show; cooing harmonies, relentless riffing and effusive melodies provide a consistent surge throughout. Nevertheless, Baldrachi anchors the undertow with assurance and precision, from the tumultuous stomp of album opener “Solid Ground,” through to the driving pulse of “A Better Place” and the didactic delivery of “Making Sense.” Even so, the band’s at its best when they tow a melodic middle ground, whether it’s the gentle Byrds-like swoon of “What Do You Want from Me” or the gentle sway of “Breakdown.” Mostly, it’s a sense of instant familiarity that pervades the set as a whole, as if Baldrachi has harnessed the classic sounds of the past four decades and repurposed them with his instincts and ambitions.As its title implies, Solid Ground is a solid beginning. By glimpsing back at the past, Baldrachi can look forward to a future that seems all but assured." - Lee Zimmerman "Amplfier Magazine"
“Solid Ground, from Boston's Peter Baldrachi, grabs you right from the get-go with the staccato guitar riff and pure power pop chorus of the title track, and doesn't let you go until it's over. "A Better Place" and "Breakdown" follow with more of the same, and you'll probably already have given your credit card info to CD Baby by the time the 2-minute sample ends. But if you haven't, the midtempo "You're Gonna Miss Me Someday" probably will get you to do so. Other standouts include "Wait In Vain" (which reminds me of the great Aussie band The Chevelles), the Smithereensesque "Round and Round", "Start It Up Again" (I'm hearing some Eugene Edwards there), "Making Sense of Nothing" (which borrows the melody from Paul Westerberg's "Silent Film Star"), the jangly "(Are You Sure) That We Belong" and "What Do You Want From Me?", which has a Teenage Fanclub feel to it. Wait - I just listed every track on the disc. Gee, I guess they're all standouts. This is really a quintessential power pop album; if you were to look up "power pop" in the dictionary, there ought to be a picture of this disc staring you back in the face." -AbsolutePowerPopBlog
"...classic pop songwriting style mixing bits 'n' pieces of Matthew Sweet, late-era Replacements, and "Goat Heads Soup"-era Stones." -NotLame.com
"Feel-good late-'70s early-'80s power pop chock-full of hooky riffage and blame-free attitude." "...a worthy addition to the canon of Boston rock 'n' roll." -The Noise
"Baldrachi, drummer for Krushr - a band that released a self-titled EP in 2003 - proved on this debut LP that going solo was a wise decision. He's composed a superb and crackling power-pop LP that overflows with catchy melodies and exquisite harmonies. It compares favorably to artists like The Posies, Matthew Sweet, Cosmic Rough Riders (and Daniel Wylie's solo records), and yes, even Big Star. Perhaps it's not so unexpected when one considers the influences listed on his MySpace page. The style is in his blood. Baldrachi mans the skins and compiles a splendid collection of backing players including colorful guitarist Gary Rand and gorgeous vocalist Alice Austin. Each expertly crafted song resonates right down to the sighing, swooning choruses on the beautiful, Teenage Fanclub - like closer 'What Do You Want From Me.'" - Mark Suppanz "The Big Takeover"
"Drummer-songwriter Peter Baldrachi steps out of the shadows to front this superb, hard-nosed rock and roll album entitled Solid Ground. Lush vocal harmonies, gritty guitar sounds full of tone, tone, tone, and Baldrachi’s rock steady rhythms kick these into overdrive and never look back. Guitarist Gary Rand, bassist Steve Buonomo, keyboardist Lester Goodwine, guitarist Richard Mirsky, pianist David Horak, bassist David Leitch and background singer Alice Austin all contribute their considerable talents to this well produced, played and recorded CD making it one of the best of 2007. Radio friendly songs include the album’s title track “Solid Ground,” “A Better Place,” and the twangin’ “Wait In Vain.” With an album full of good songs and excellent playing, Peter Baldrachi’s star is on the rise. Outstanding!" - Douglas Sloan “Metronome Magazine”
"His music is sublime and serene with floating melodies, often utilizing a straight-forward guitar-centric pop hook approach that’s simply delectable!" - Smother.net
"The music is a hodge podge of various typical power pop styles, from the crunchy sound of the title track and "Start It Up Again" to the heartbroken Beatlesesque jangle of "You're Gonna Miss Me Someday" to the country-influenced twang of "Breakdown" and "Wait In Vain". But even with the variety of styles, Peter and his band go from one to the other with ease, bringing the record together quite nicely. That, and the strong songwriting, make this a fine debut album!" - Indiepages.com
"Some discs have the capacity to extend their relevance through time. Many times, they are not the more melodic ones or the more energetic ones. The ones that create the most impact are the ones that show themselves more consistent with solid and well-labored compositions. Normally, these albums transform themselves into classics. This is what is going to happen with "Solid Ground" in a few years within power pop. Boston musician and composer Peter Baldrachi is originally a drummer. On his debut disc, he sang and composed all of the songs. During the recordings, he collaborated with friends Gary Rand on guitars, Steve Buonomo on bass, and Lester Goodwine ..s among others. The results have pleased power poppers of the entire world.The syncopated riff of the title track goes step by step until the chorus filled vocal harmony and melody. "A Better Place" brings a riff more fluid and less cumbersome as well as an enjoyable chorus. "Breakdown" and "(Are You Sure That) We Belong" sound more rock 'n 'roll with traditional interventions of guitar. "You're Gonna Miss Me Someday" sounds soft and radio friendly with one melody that only the power pop known can offer. "Wait In Vain" has country accented pop in progress and an ultra-melodic chorus. "Round And Round," "Star Up Again" and "Making Sense Of Nothing" remain in the line of vigorous riffs and catchy melodies. The album closes with placid landscapes, and heavenly harmonies-without forgetting the twinges of guitar here and there - the sweet "What Do You Want From Me." - Paolo Miléa “Powerpopstation.blogspot.com”

View Peter Baldrachi's EPK

Record Label: Prodigal Son Records
Type of Label: Indie