Hey Jam aficionados, welcome back to Shecky's Jam Bands where we unpack the stories behind the bands lighting up festival fields coast to coast Today we're diving into Baltimore's own gleaming beacon of funk and good vibes pigeons playing ping -pong Man, I love this name and I was so curious to know how they developed this
name. So we'll get into that in a minute just to kind of Level set I wanted to go into their backstory and Pigeons Playing Pink Pong began in 2009 as a dorm room project between college freshmen Greg Scrambled A. Greg, which is his nickname, Greg Ormont, and Jeremy Shone. At the University of Maryland, go Terps. From humble beginnings jamming on covers and silly original songs, the band organically expanded and began touring. Now, for the name. It literally jumped
off a Psychology 101 textbook page. Greg spotted the phrase, pigeons playing ping -pong, pointed out to Jeremy, and both instantly agreed. That was their name. He later linked it to B .F. Skinner's famed Pigeon Experiments, connecting positive reinforcement to how music rewards and habit -forming performances feel. Now, why should you be listening? Well, this quartet is known for their infectious energy, relentless touring, up to 200 shows per year, by the way, and melting
genre boundaries. Funky psychedelic grooves balanced with gut -busting stage charisma. Their fan base, affectionately known as The Flock, echoes their community -first mentality, one that's lifted them to run their own festival called Domefest since 2009. It's pretty impressive. Some of the must -listen songs and why they rock. Number one is Funk EP. Their debut album, 2010, cleverly named To Confuse and Delight, sets their tone
early. Another song, Horizon, a trance -inducing track that balances melodic grooves with dreamy textures ideal for setting festival moods. Third, Melting Lights. a hypnotic funk jam that showcases their shifting rhythms and feel -good hooks. Lastly, you should check out something for you. Layers disco satin with a prog rock solo breakdown. Let that dance floor shimmer. Couple of the deep dives on some of their most unforgettable jams. The first one took place in Asheville in 2019.
The song Walk Outside. transition into Time to Ride, led by drummer Alex Petropoulos. This opening jam evolves into psychedelic cascade of mashups and extended improvisation, highlighting the band's adventurous spirit. The second song you should check out that was performed live is called The Liquid. A master class in contrast, a fast -paced funk number interrupted by a soul -stirring blues breakdown, then surging back to a high octane energy. Now looking at some unique and
fun facts. Well, number one, they have real studio independence. They've self -released every album, including most recent one in 2024, Day and Time, without a record deal, staying close to the flock via Kickstarter and DIY ethic. Secondly, Their live energy is packaged. Greg describes every song like a spring -loaded can of worms, primed for explosive release, live. Third, their light wizardry. Lighting designer Manny Newman is considered the fifth member, adding psychedelic visuals
that match the band's intensity. Let's discuss now why pigeons playing ping pong are soaring. Because they deliver pure joy. Every show is high -energy celebration, pure unfiltered and grounded in community, whether it's the breakdown in the liquid, the danceable trance of Horizon, or the immersive mashups of a multi -set finale. Pigeons playing ping pong mix tight musicianship with spontaneous flair. If you haven't yet, pull up Horizon melting lights and the live walk outside.
That transitions to time to ride sequence better yet catch them live and let the vibe lift you up That's it today for a deep dive on Shecky's jam bands. Keep chasing those grooves Stay open -minded and never forget in the world of jam pigeons playing ping -pong. Keep the party grounded and the sparks flying