Peter Bjorn & John played Santos & Rock Shop (pics & video)

January 31, 2011

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin, review by Bill Pearis

Perky Swedish trio Peter, Bjorn & John played the cozy Rock Shop on 1/28, one of two surprise shows scheduled for the band last week (the other being downstairs at Santos Party House the night before). It was a live preview of the band’s new great LP Gimme Some, set to blast on 3/29. Like the stripped-down nature of the record, the band were a real power trio at Rock Shop — no keyboards, drum machines, samples, headphones or whistling. Just guitar (Peter), bass (Bjorn) and drums (John). And also dozens of giant three thumbed foam hands — Gimme Some‘s cover art — which were hurled into the audience. No “Young Folks,” but they did play “Objects of My Affection” from Writer’s Block and a jangly, spirited reworking of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”.

If you aren’t familiar with some of the new PB&J material, the band recently dropped off the cowbell-fuelled “Second Chance” at iTunes and dropped off a new video for “Breaker, Breaker” (below). Check out some video of new songs and old from Rock Shop, as well as some pictures from the show below…