Entertainment
Carni Camaraderie
Over the past few years, the culture of cannabis has significantly shifted. Instead of the focus being nothing but reggae, rap and stoner humor, legalization and normalization of the plant have made it abundantly clear that cannabis is something that influences the artistic output of many. Even bands from genres as unassuming as neoclassical and carnival rock are starting to come out as advocates. CULTURE caught up with Danny Tetrault, front man of carnival rock group Plankeye Peggy, to talk music, inspiration and the insanity of prohibition.
How did you get started making music?
Right before I turned 12 years old, my mother brought a friend over to show my older brother’s band a few pointers on how to shred on guitar. Her name was Diane and she had long, ‘80s metal black hair, tight zebra-print skinny pants and a bright yellow flying-V guitar. I remember sitting on the couch with my jaw slack. I was blown away. I can’t recall thinking that I wanted to play like that myself, because it was so magic and awesome.
A few days later, my mom tells me that she noticed how taken I was by Diane’s playing and asked if I wanted an electric guitar for my upcoming birthday. I was like, “HELL YES!” So it was on from there on out.
“It is completely insane for cannabis to be illegal in the first place. I hope to see more states following suit in the near future.”
Who are some of your biggest influences?
I, personally, was influenced by metal from the late ‘80s and ‘90s. It wasn’t until I discovered Mr. Bungle when I was around 17 that other genres started seeping in. I was instantly enamored with the way they could mix so many genres together and still make it rock. It definitely inspired me to look further in my limited musical world. The more recent discoveries of bands like Man Man, Devotchka, Yann Tiersen and Andrew Bird definitely had a huge part in influencing the music that Plankeye Peggy is drawn to, with Mr. Bungle still at the heart of it.
Brian Grasso (bass guitarist) grew up with more of a soul, funk and reggae background. Dave Gilbert (lead guitarist) was dipping into the world of free jazz and classic rock in his days. Jon Lauterer (drums) is the biggest Beatles fan I know and was brought up on classic rock and a lot of the same metal from my past.
Do you have any upcoming shows, releases, or projects in the works?
We just had our first CD release in March of this year. We are currently playing locally in Asheville NC, and cities within two to four hours reach from us. We are shooting to expand that reach as much as possible.
How do you feel about the genre you are a part of? What kind of support do you have?
Our “genre” has been one of the hardest aspects of this band’s existence. We simply don’t fit in one. You can call it carnival rock. You can call it pirate sex. You can call it so many different things and still not really describe it. Experimental or experimental rock tends to be the only thing we can choose from all the drop-down menus we get to pick from if we even get that option at all. In truth, we are quite comfortable about the fact that we challenge the music scene in that way. It goes along with the way we tend to cross-dress pretty often on stage, too. We are breaking down the barriers between man, woman and genre, as if to say, “Don’t fuss over that shit. Let’s just have a good time!”
The support we get is from people that are real music lovers. We are not a band for everyone, and we know it. We attract people that are looking for music outside of the norm, and when they find us it’s like we all just fall in love.
“Cannabis has personally helped me deal with all of my flying emotions on a daily basis. It really helps me understand that I don’t need to carry all the weight all the time.”
How do you feel about cannabis legalization so far? Could anything be done better or differently?
I, personally, am happy about it! Let’s face it. It is completely insane for cannabis to be illegal in the first place. I hope to see more states following suit in the near future. I live in one of the states that it is still illegal, and find it hard to understand how people can still have their lives turned upside down and serve jail time for something that is proving to help people so much in the states that have made the change. It brings in so much money that can be taxed and used for education, just like it has been proven to work in Colorado.
Have you ever worked cannabis into your music as a theme?
I never was the kind of guy that preaches to the crowd. I am more the guy that slips into your head and shuffles things around to get a different point of view. Then I slip out before anyone is the wiser.
How has cannabis affected your lives and creative processes?
It seems that my lyrics come from a mental state of desperation, mischievousness, depression, obsession and extreme openness (to name a few). Cannabis has personally helped me deal with all of my flying emotions on a daily basis. It really helps me understand that I don’t need to carry all the weight all the time.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Since we are fairly new to the scene, we need all the help we can get to have our music put out there. If we have stirred up any interest from you, we ask that you take the time to check us out. Go to plankeyepeggy.com to listen to our music, see live videos, and get on our mailing list. If you find yourselves moved by what we so vulnerably put out there for your pleasure, spread the word. Help get us get out to your side of the playground.
