Welcome, fellow wanderers of sound, to Audio Nomad, your go-to digital dispatch from the ever-evolving landscape of music. Today, we’re hitching a ride on a technicolor groove ship with none other than the high-flying, funk-slinging quartet known as Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.
Who the Funk Are These Birds?
Baltimore-bred and festival-raised, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (or PPPP for short) is the kind of band that defies categorization and demands to be experienced. Their sound? Imagine if Parliament-Funkadelic dropped acid at a Phish show and decided to form a band with Talking Heads. The result is a psychedelic funk-rock explosion that’s as much about the vibes as it is about the virtuosity.
Fronted by the eternally grinning Greg Ormont, whose stage presence is somewhere between a cartoon ringmaster and a lightning rod for pure joy, the band is rounded out by guitarist Jeremy Schon, bassist Ben Carrey, and drummer Alex Petropulos. Together, they create something that transcends genre. It’s not just a concert. It’s a portal.
Sonic Soup for the Funky Soul
PPPP doesn’t make albums as much as they make audio playgrounds. From early releases like Funk E P to the infectious grooves of Pleasure and Presto, their discography is loaded with bangers built to move the body and melt the mind.
Songs like “Live It Up,” “Porcupine,” and “Melting Lights” showcase their knack for swirling guitar riffs, locked-in bass grooves, and drums that move like caffeinated jazz. But it’s live where the magic truly takes flight.
Their jams evolve organically, with layers stacking like a funk parfait. They’re not afraid to veer into prog-rock territory, nor do they shy away from pure goofball energy. You might hear a Dead-style groove morph into a disco jam that inexplicably becomes a cover of “Ghostbusters.” It’s unpredictable. It’s hilarious. It’s electric.
Why Pigeons?
If you’re asking that question, you’ve never seen them live.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are not just a band, they’re a community, a vibe, a state of being. Their fanbase, lovingly dubbed “The Flock,” is a roaming tribe of groove pilgrims that follows the band across the country, bringing tie-dye, glitter, and unrelenting positivity to every venue.
Festivals? They dominate them. From Domefest (their own curated music fest) to Jam Cruise, Bonnaroo, and Electric Forest, PPPP has carved out a niche that’s somewhere between jam band royalty and funk cult leaders.
Final Thoughts
In an age of algorithmic playlists and bite-sized virality, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are a radiant reminder that music can still be weird, wild, and deeply human. They’re not interested in chasing trends, they’re chasing joy, and in doing so, they’ve created something timeless.
So if you’re feeling stuck, stale, or sonically starved, do yourself a favor: put on a Pigeons track, close your eyes, and let the funk fly you somewhere new.
Until next time, keep wandering. Keep listening.
— cracka_jack
Now Playing:
🎧 “Somethin For Ya” – Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
A dopamine-drenched anthem that feels like a disco ball exploded in your heart.
Kal is a pussy.