The Petersons

Artist Description

"One of the funniest, most original shows in town"
-Time Out New York

Described by The N.Y. Times as "a hipster theater mock-rock group with a devoted following," The Petersons have been upstate New York’s favorite family band for nigh on a decade .  Led by Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, a husband-and-wife team both onstage and off, they’ve redefined the boundaries of life, art, love, music, fidelity, religion, civics and, quite possibly, penology.  At least in their home town of Essex-on-Haugatuck, just off Route 17 in the Susquehanna River Valley.  

In addition to Mr. P, a mailman who moonlights as the frontman of the outfit, and Mrs. P, a self-described "sensualist" who sings and plays the percussive egg, the group includes: Pete Petersen (no relation), who drums and lives in a Coleman Spider trailer parked in the Petersons’ driveway; Julio, on bass, a Mexican immigrant formerly married to Mrs. Peterson's sister Claudia, but who now sleeps above the Petersons’ garage (“Como El Fonz”); and Father Tom, the lead guitarist, a defrocked priest who bunks in the Petersons’ attic.  

They’ve played sold out gigs all over New York, at such venues as Joe's Pub, Caroline's Comedy Club, Ars Nova, the Bottom Line, Sin-e, Galapagos, Fez, Union Hall, the West Bank Café, N.Y. Stage and Film, and—wait for it—the Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art.

This gig, however, marks an exciting new direction in the life of the group.  Booked not long before the two bandleaders decided to “take a break” (his words), or “call it quits” (hers), August 17th will now celebrate the debut of PETERSON, Mr. Peterson’s greatly anticipated solo project.  “Bands are a kind of democracy,” says Peterson, “and deep down, I think, I’m more of a monarchist.  Going solo will be refreshing insofar as I won’t have to worry about other people’s stupid feelings and ideas.”  

With very special and surprise guests, including (quite possibly) members of The Petersons themselves.  

(The Petersons comprise, but are not limited to, Adam Stein, Keira Naughton, Matt Saldivar, Pete Simpson, Evan Robertson, and Rick Holmes.)