I have had a "Peter" on my mind for some time. I had not been thinking of the word in one of its common meanings (a wiener) or it being short for a "Peter Pumper," either. Rather, I was obsessing about a band whose name I mistakenly had thought was "Peter Rabbit." The correct name of the self-proclaimed bossa nova/pop/psychedelic band is "Pepper Rabbit," which is more fitting since they are not silly rabbits, as far as their skills are concerned.
 
Plus, the duo, comprised of Xander Singh and Luc Laurent, present peppered, magical musical ingredients and chemistry that indeed have the potential to stretch a person's imagination, and make the cells in his head grow. And, that is putting it mildly because I can say with the utmost of confidence, no people will be asking for their money back after having seen one of Pepper Rabbit's shows.
 
However, LA based Pepper Rabbit did take me by surprise with their performance last weekend. People did not seem to want to touch them with a 10-foot pole, or even a 6-inch pole! To elaborate, patrons at Chicago's ultra cool Subterranean venue and lounge stood far way from the stage while Pepper Rabbit played.
 
Yet, during Pepper Rabbit's first song the room filled quickly, and the Subterranean is known for being a tough crowd to please. But, while I looked around I saw just about everyone's eyes fixated on, and in awe of Pepper Rabbit's performance.
 
I truly believe the physical distance between the customers and the stage was due to them being utterly taken back by Pepper Rabbit's, just about as unique as can be, showmanship and total musical components.
 
Xander Singh, eventually invited the audience to come closer to the stage, and it appeared as everybody did, although they were still pretty stiff, probably by all of Pepper Rabbit's songs zapping them like lightening rods. Pepper Rabbit's worldly and highly complex arrangements were shocking in a such a good way, I could easily conceive flocks of people risking going miles down to Mexico. (In a desperate attempt to get the same feeling in a pill form.)
 
A "Hallelujah" is in order that people can skip the possible Mexican Prison time, and who knows what else, by simply buying Pepper Rabbit's critically acclaimed albums and tickets for their shows instead (http://www.myspace.com/pepperrabbit.)
 
Pepper Rabbit's performance, all in all, also induced lots of foot thumping amongst the crowd, as well as, praise. For instance, a beautiful girl named, Maren, I spoke to during the show said she played all the same instruments as Pepper Rabbit in her band, The Photographers. And, in her professional opinion she stated "Pepper Rabbit are real tight!"
 
Pepper Rabbit's performance displayed marveling multi-tasking abilities, memorization skills and dedication needed to pull out, and use so many instruments so often while singing, too! They pulled out a slew of joyous-invoking instruments including a mandolin, banjo, ukulele, tambourine, drums, pianos, flat 7ths and so on!

Plus, Singh's voice had a charming boyish sound, that was also powerfully loud and from the gut at the same time, showing off lyrics stemming from their personal experiences. In addition, some of Peppered Rabbit's songs have lyrics that are delightfully playful. I kid you not, Pepper Rabbit will make you feel like a child, again, excitingly discovering music for the first time.
 
It would be a crying shame if the incredibly talented and passionate Pepper Rabbit do not receive a much larger fan base and more album sales. I believe they will, though, as long as they go after a significantly larger amount of exposure--you know how fast rabbits can multiply!

You can go to: http://www.myspace.com/pepperrabbit to get their new album, BEAUREGARD, and tour information.