By Danny Coleman

originally published: 07/03/2014 "I guess you can say I'm the new guy and I've been with the band for over ten years," said (hed) p.e. guitarist Jackson Benge with a laugh as he discussed the upcoming July 22 release by Pavement Entertainment of their ninth CD "Evolution."
(hed) p.e. formed in California in the early to mid '90's by front man Jahred, whose desire was to cultivate the area sounds into his own personal preferences; resulting in a mixture of punk, metal, hip-hop and statement making funk that has blazed a trail to this day. "Our music," explains Jackson, "Is a mix of musical multiple personality disorders," he said once again with a hearty laugh. " We mix many genres and we try to hit them all; punk, hip-hop, metal, rock, we don't discriminate that's for sure."
Up until now, 2003's "Blackout" was the benchmark for the group and still their most successful album to date but with the upcoming release of "Evolution," Benge feels that the band may have hit their musical mark and definitely their stride. "This disc really is two different styles. We still have what we like to call a "Doom Sound," yet more riffs that are simpler; if that makes sense. There is more of a one note at a time approach and letting them ring out to give it a bigger sound; we are actually quite happy with it. Then there's what Jahred likes to call the "Champagne Room." The other side of the disc is more Reggae style and I think between the two styles, "Doom Metal" and Reggae, we did really well selecting the tracks. We are very happy with the way this CD has come together from start to finish, I think it's one of our best to date. This is the sixth one that I've been a part of and I am very excited about it!"
From the band name, to their music, Benge feels the reason they've been able to keep it together so long is due to staying within themselves, their yearning for social commentary and cooperation within their own ranks. "Our name, like us, is pretty unique. Jahred came up with it; hed is the phonetic spelling for head and p.e. stands for planet earth or planetary evolution. The planet, like our music, is ever changing, evolving, we get involved with some social issues, trying to relay some messages through our music. We are also a band who stays true to what we write. So many guys take every opportunity to over play; we don't do that. Jahred has a vision and when we go into the studio he takes on more of the producer role. We all have a hand in things and for me, I wanted to let the band know that I can write too. I started submitting songs, I mean we all do but Jahred's voice is the signature of the band, so whatever we do it has to fit him and his style. He plays percussion so that adds to the overall sound as well."
The band is heading out on the road with shows in various locations across the U.S. in what Benge calls a "Quasi national tour." "Right now we are taking time off before the disc is released. This our first one on Pavement Entertainment and we are very excited about it; they are doing a great job promoting its release and we are gearing up to head out on the road. We've got some dates in July to warm up and then in August we head out in earnest; we tour a lot and we love it."
July 8 the band kicks off the tour with a show in Lexington, KY and will criss-cross from Florida through Texas and the mid-west with stops in West Virginia, Tennessee and Ohio as well; bringing their brand of hard driving, in your face sounds to their hungry fan base.
To find tickets, tour dates and more about (hed) p.e. please go to www.hedperocks.com.
Here's an upcoming show to watch for; the Doo Wop Show scheduled for July 12 at The Princeton Manor Banquet Hall (formerly Cedar Gardens) on Rte. 33 in Hamilton, NJ. The Drifters, The Marvelettes and the Blue Notes will be taking the stage with original members, Rick Sheppard and Rhonda Franklin in attendance. Tickets are $60 for general admission and $95 for the VIP package and can be obtained by calling Linda Reimer at 609-838-1313.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS

Alchemist & Barrister

28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti

All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie

Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info

Sat. 8 p.m. The Blue Moons

Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em

Wed. 7 p.m. FREE Salsa Lessons
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
Sat. 7 p.m. Sakima, Lurk, Rinse Repeat, Left of Logic

Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.

Blend

911 Rte. 33 Hamilton

(609) 245-8887
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. Annual Jazz BBQ (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995

Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton

(609) 394-7437

Sat. 6 p.m. Steel Nation, Manalive, Silence Equals Death, Inhale, No Friends, Life Sentence, Guttersnipe. All ages, $10.

Tues. 7 p.m. Breathing Theory, Mesmeria, (TBA). All ages, $8/$10
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Thurs. 6 p.m. The Mighty Stef

mSun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal

Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info

Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night

Sat. 7 p.m. Stellar

Sun. 3 p.m. Little Red Rooster

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam

All shows 21+
Halo Pub

9 Hullfish St. Princeton

(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Deb & Mike
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897

Thurs. 8 p.m. Eagles Tribute w/ Best of The Eagles

Fri. 9:30 p.m. July 4th DJ Dance Party

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Kharma Train

Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran w/ Jo Wymer, Mike Montrey

All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie

Sat. 10 p.m. The Dawgs
All shows 21+

John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. Satellite Hearts

Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Billy Hector Band

Sun. 9:30 p.m. Southern Fried Funk

Mon. Open Mic. w/ Tim

Tues. 9 p.m. Matt Setzer

Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 9 p.m. Alright Alright

All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. River Dogs

Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sensei Juan and The Blackbelts
RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott

All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge

181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 208-2500
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Tangled

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Something Shiny

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket

216 4th St. Fieldsboro

(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Sat. 8 p.m. Open Jukebox
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 9 p.m. Out of The Red

Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ TDOGG

All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Sat. 7 p.m. Trenton Freedom vs. Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Sat. 9 p.m. Tommy Glover

Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Taylor Reed

Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Weise

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: Documentary Night "Mel Leipzig: Everything is Printable"

Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree

Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300

Fri. 10 p.m. Southern Fried Funk. $5 (cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Jason Ager. $5 (cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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