Monday, August 16, 2021

Percy Jones / Alex Skolnick / Kenny Grohowski / Tim Motzer - PAKT Live in Pawling (August 2021 MoonJune Records)

Eleven months before this July-22-2021 performance - on August-15-2020, the very first  PAKT performance - playing masked and distanced to a dimly lit empty venue in the midst of the pre-vaccine pandemic era - had  a surreal quality that informed the music. Now here we were about to make our our debut to a live audience at Daryl’s House in Pawling, once again playing completely and spontaneously improvised music. To be honest, we weren’t 100% sure how it would turn out. Would a comparatively normal situation - a room full of music lovers enjoying beverages and bites while listening intently - inspire us to go on similar spontaneous journeys? If so, would our audience go there with us? As soon as the lights went down, the travelling began. Throughout the evening, there were cheers and responses from our first crowd. It was as though we’d planned our arrangements as meticulously as a tune by Hall & Oates. 

By the time it was over, the answer to those questions had been a clear and resounding “yes.” We are grateful the Daryl’s staff and a sizable audience for taking a chance on a project that is thoroughly uncharted (in more ways than one) and proving to us that the PAKT experience has a life beyond one strange night in the midst of a pandemic. More live music to be released, enjoy!  - Alex Skolnick

In July of 2021, the newly formed supergroup PAKT - featuring bassist Percy Jones, guitarist Alex Skolnick, drummer Kenny Grohowski and guitarists and soundscapist Tim Motzer - have performed 4 shows promoting their debut album on MoonJune Records. For all 4 musicians that was the first time playing in front of the real audience, in 16 months, 

JULY 22 - PAWLING, NY (Daryl’s House) 
JULY 23 - KENNETT SQUARE, PA (Kennett Flash Rooftop Series) 
JULY 24 - BROOKLYN, NY (ShapeShifter Lab) 
JULY 25 - SELLERSVILLE, PA (Sellersville Theater) 

Every show is different from each other, and PAKT and MoonJune Records are recording every show, and every show will be released digitally on BandCamp. 

This coming Winter  PAKT will record studio album to be released in the late Spring of 2022. 

Upcoming shows: 
SEP 10 (Fri) - TBC 
SEP 11 (Sat) - Syracuse, NY (Epic Fest) 
SEP 12 (Sun) - Hudson Falls, NY (Strand Theater) 

1. Inception 17:29
2. Variant P - Part 1 & 2 11:16
3. Paisley Sphere 13:56
4. Fonk Junket 07:43
5. Harlem Valley Medication 11:38
6. Restore Order in the Gallery 13:40
7. Gateways and Goodbyes 08:26

PERCY JONES - bass guitar
ALEX SKOLNICK - guitar
KENNY GROHOWSKI - drums
TIM MOTZER - guitars, electronics

Recorded live at the Daryl's House, Pawling, NY, July 22, 2021.

Recorded and live mixing during the live performance by Jessica Klee. 
Mastered by Markus Reuter. 
Digital editing by Tim Motzer.

PAKT logo paintings/design: Tim Motzer

Produced by PAKT and Leonardo Pavkovic.
Executive production by Leonardo Pavkovic.