Wake Up or Be Captured
Pete has taken the empty culture of materialism and is attempting to untangle it. His song Hey You, Out with Shopping Bags has acquired new meaning in the wake of recent looting. Shadow shopping. The unseen forces which control our perception, which leave us “dreaming of money gods”, form the subject of Wake Up or Be Captured.
“In one sense, 1970s punk had it easy,” Pete comments. “All it had to do was attack nice fluffy hippies. It’s much harder now, because mainstream youth culture is filled with aggressive patsies of consumerism. Being aggressive back doesn't work. It just makes minds smaller.”
Pete’s poetic style is influenced by the freedom he found hitching and wandering in his 20s, and by his love of classic literature. In 2008, Pete performed many Bristol-written songs live on BBC3 TV’s Upstaged, as guest of performance artist/musician Badgertrap.
Surreal
perceptions
 Pete Gioconda’s lyrics, poems and stories are notable for vivid word
play and perceptions. He is working on a radio black comedy and the first
of a series of novels, a semi-surreal odyssey of youth, inspired
by his wanderings.
Rock’n’roll
and literature
Influenced by classic and experimental literature as much as by British and American rock’n’roll, Pete aims eventually to merge story, theatre and poetry with music and songs. “The real adventure
has yet to begin in earnest.” Favourite
songwriters include Cat Power, Bob Dylan, John Lydon, Jim Morrison
and Pete Townshend, and their influences. “It was first getting into Jim Morrison
that made me want to write, like crazy.”
Heroic females
“My recent musical heroes have mostly been female,” says Pete G, “particularly
Cat Power. She has a sensitivity and honesty not
hemmed in by fashion or genre. Each gig is unique.
“I don’t think the world needs more women
on the front line or flying fighter jets, but against war and
wasteful stupidity. We should nurture and fix things, and share them – not just go on about expanding the
economy the whole time. Greta Thunberg is a hero. Let’s have some real female wisdom for a change: showing men the error of their ways, not fighting to be like them . . .
Kate Bush for Queen . . . and Bohnson
for Bag Lady!”
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