When I was young, I was fascinated by myths and legends of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt and I was given a book, ‘The Story of Greece’, which had belonged to my mum when she was a child herself. With lots of colour plates I was fascinated by the stories of Achilles, Hyacinthus, Apollo, Arachne and many others, including of course Pandora. Many people will have heard the term Pandora’s Box even if they do not know the myth from which it was taken. Although the story has been retold many times in many ways, the base is always the same in that Pandora opened a container as she wondered what was inside, releasing many evils into the world and although she attempted to close it quickly only one thing was left behind, often referred to as hope.
Steve is a multi-instrumentalist, and although Eric Johnson has assisted with a guitar solo on one song, he does everything else himself apart from the female vocals, where Shimmer Johnson provides the lead on “My Name Is Pandora” and C.C. White provides additional vocals throughout. Steve is no stranger to concept albums, with the two excellent ‘Stargazer’ albums behind him, but it is very different indeed to work on an original story as opposed to a well-known myth, how to make it relevant for the modern day? Quite easily in his hands it appears, as he mixes it with the story of Eve and Christianity, bringing it right up to date when someone at a garage sale come across a jewelled box they cannot open and asks for advice, only to regret it when they get inside.
The lyrics are thoughtful and at times quite deep, making us think, but in contrast the music is light and full of hooks, so they combine together in a manner which is both fascinating and intriguing, making us curious to investigate further, much like the protagonists in the story. The idea of bringing in a singer to take on the role of Pandora herself makes total sense as here she has a voice and is able to explain who she is, and in Shimmer Johnson, Steve has found the perfect vocalization of his ideas. I can see them working together more in the future.
As well as the songs, there is a spoken word piece called “Origin Story”, where we hear the story of Pandora according to the original legends, explaining to those who did not grow up reading Greek myths (which is most people in fairness), all accompanied by an underlying keyboard piece. I also ought to make mention of the drums, as although they are programmed it shows that when someone really knows what they are doing then they can become a valid instrument. It really feels like there is a human driving the sound as opposed to a computer.
The end result is an album which is deep, wanting to make us think and also investigate the story further, while also being thoroughly enjoyable on a musical level. Complex, and complicated, it is a delight the first time it is played and that feeling only deepens the more one gets inside.
Having released four solo albums (2 studio and 2 live), Peter has turned his attention to working with other musicians’ projects and bands such as Kinetic Element (USA), The Steve Bonino Project (USA), Marco Ragni (Italy), Bomber Goggles (USA), Transport Aerian (Belgium), Lobate Scarp (USA), The Steppes (USA), and Gekko Projekt (USA).
“I have a lot of new material, for at least two or three more solo albums, but I wanted to work on other projects to develop myself further as a guitarist and musician. So I took on a lot of session work with several artists around the world covering over 30 songs. At the moment I am finishing up my second album with Kinetic Element – Live in New York and my upcoming 3rd studio solo album.
About Peter Matuchniak favors a progressive style of guitar that features melodic solos and graceful chording, clearly influenced by the likes of Steve Hackett (Genesis), Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Andy Latimer (Camel) and Mike Oldfield. Always drawn more to composition and melody above pure technique and over-indulgence, Peter Matuchniak lets sounds and textures guide the music first and foremost.
His compositional style draws from the varied genres he was exposed to at home: a brother into jazz-rock, a sister listening to the latest radio hits, and parents who raised them all on classical music. But the basic element is always progressive rock, and Peter Matuchniak has played with a number of bands in this genre that have garnered attention and reviews, both in London where he grew up as well as in his adopted Southern California home.
Peter has received enthusiastic reviews from around the world (the latter winning a Grindie Award from RadioINDY). Back in the 1980’s Peter was part of the so-called neo-progressive rock movement with Janysium and Mach One (that were represented by Keith Goodwin, press agent for Yes, Marillion and Rod Argent. He also wrote and recorded jingles in Bombay for commercials that were aired on Indian TV with high-profile artists and accounts, with one such ad winning a CLIO award for public safety.
Discography Solo Album / TBA (2020) Kinetic Element – Live From New York 2020 Kinetic Element – The Face of Life (2019) Bomber Goggles – GyreLand (2018) Marco Ragni – The Wondering Caravan (2018) Transport Aerian – Therianthrope (2017) Marco Ragni – Land of Blue Echoes (2016) Peter Matuchniak – A Live Destination (2015) Peter Matuchniak – A Live Destination Video (2015) Free with CD Gekko Projekt – Reya of Titan (2015) Peter Matuchniak – Destiny (2014) Peter Matuchniak – Uncovered Live in L.A. (2014) Gekko Projekt – Electric Forest (2012) Peter Matuchniak- DVD Uncover Me CD (2012) Evolve IV – Decadent Light (2007)
Hot on the heels of the highly acclaimed debut album Stargazer… Bomber Goggles Multi-instrumentalist Steve Bonino returns with Stargazer 2.
About The Albums
Stargazer is the nickname given to the hero of the story born into a dystopian future in which man’s neglect has made Earth no longer habitable.
For the past 20 years on Proxima b, the colonists have been feverishly building a transparent dome to protect themselves from the sun’s radiation and to able to control their environment.
Upon its completion, it is decided they should send out an exploration party to try to replenish lost supplies. After a two day trek, they come upon what looks like the ruins of an abandoned alien city where they find what appear to be texts written in an alien language.
Are the writings actually alien, or could there be a connection to the colonists they could never dare to imagine? Tune in to Stargazer 2 for the shocking truth.
Track Listing
01. The Grand Finale 02. Under The Dome 03. The Dark Light Divide 04. So Familiar 05. City Out Of Time 06. Alien Progeny 07. Broken Record 08. Hyperspeed Overdrive 09. Codex 10. The Ancient Sumerian 11. Fear
Studio Band
Stave Bonino, Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Keybords and Drum Programming Peter Matuchniak, lead guitar on The Dark Light Divide, City out of Time and Fear Mike Lewis, Drums on The Grand Finale and The Ancient Sumerian Jimmy Keegan, Drums on The Dark Light Divide Marco Minnemann, Drums on Hyperspeed Overdrive Seth Lewis, Backing vocals on The Grand Finale Erik Johnson, Rythm Guitar on City Out Of Time
Pre-Order Specials includes 2 amazing offers:
Stargaze 2 CD Autographed by Steve Bonino only $14 +shipping
Stargazer 1 & 2 Collectors set for the low price of $20 +shippin
‘Stargazer 2’ will be Released & selections Performed Live along with songs from Stargazer by The Steve Bonino Projecton April 14th, 2019 at Alvas Showroom 1417 W 8th Street. San Pedro, CA 90732
The Live Band: Steve Bonino Bass/Vocals Peter Matuchniak Guitar/Vocals Both Steve and Peter are members of the critically acclaimed band Bomber Goggles whose debut album ‘Gyerland’ spent weeks in the top ten at Prog Archives. Jimmy Keegan Drums/Vocals (formerly Spock’s Beard and played drums on Santana’s ‘Supernatural’ album). Jonathan Sindelman Keyboards/Vocals (has performed with Allan White of Yes, Mike Keneally from Frank Zappa’s band and Joe Travers from Zappa Plays Zappa). Seth Romano Guitar/Keyboards/Percussion/Vocals (‘The Trip’).
Melodic Revolution Records is pleased to announce the upcoming album Stargazer 2 by The Steve Bonino Project.
Hot on the heels of the highly acclaimed debut album Stargazer… Bomber Goggles Multi-instrumentalist Steve Bonino returns with Stargazer 2.
Stargazer is the nickname given to the hero of the story born into a dystopian future in which man’s neglect has made Earth no longer habitable.
For the past 20 years on Proxima b, the colonists have been feverishly building a transparent dome to protect themselves from the sun’s radiation and to able to control their environment.
Upon its completion, it is decided they should send out an exploration party to try to replenish lost supplies. After a two day trek, they come upon what looks like the ruins of an abandoned alien city where they find what appear to be texts written in an alien language.
Are the writings actually alien, or could there be a connection to the colonists they could never dare to imagine? Tune in to Stargazer 2 for the shocking truth.
‘Stargazer 2’ will be Released & selections Performed Live along with songs from Stargazer by The Steve Bonino Projecton April 14th, 2019 at Alvas Showroom 1417 W 8th Street. San Pedro, CA 90732
The Live Band: Steve Bonino Bass/Vocals Peter Matuchniak Guitar/Vocals Both Steve and Peter are members of the critically acclaimed band Bomber Goggles whose debut album ‘Gyerland’ spent weeks in the top ten at Prog Archives. Jimmy Keegan Drums/Vocals (formerly Spock’s Beard and played drums on Santana’s ‘Supernatural’ album). Jonathan Sindelman Keyboards/Vocals (has performed with Allan White of Yes, Mike Keneally from Frank Zappa’s band and Joe Travers from Zappa Plays Zappa). Seth Romano Guitar/Keyboards/Percussion/Vocals (‘The Trip’).
Track Listing
01. The Grand Finale 02. Under The Dome 03. The Dark Light Divide 04. So Familiar 05. City Out Of Time 06. Alien Progeny 07. Broken Record 08. Hyperspeed Overdrive 09. Codex 10. The Ancient Sumerian 11. Fear
Studio Band
Stave Bonino, Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Keybords and Drum Programming Peter Matuchniak, lead guitar on The Dark Light Divide, City out of Time and Fear Mike Lewis, Drums on The Grand Finale and The Ancient Sumerian Jimmy Keegan, Drums on The Dark Light Divide Marco Minnemann, Drums on Hyperspeed Overdrive Seth Lewis, Backing vocals on The Grand Finale Erik Johnson, Rythm Guitar on City Out Of Time
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