They're a songwriting duo who met in high school ala Lennon/McCartney. Ty
Popick and Jeremy Morgan, the core of the Gainesville-based Pawn Rook Four,
have come quite a way from the jams of their high school years; just go to a
show or pick up a CD to be assured of that. And critics beware: they are
quite sick of the Weezer comparisons.
Movement: What sort of reception has your music had in cities other than
Gainesville/Jacksonville?
Ty: We've gotten a very warm reception outside of Gainesville and
Jacksonville because I think we do a pretty good job of putting on a good
show, and we play, for the most part, upbeat and danceable songs, and we like to throw in a few
surprises to entertain the crowd. People are pretty much same everywhere and
are usually very nice and open-minded.
What do you feel makes the Gainesville scene better (or do you feel the
Jacksonville music scene is better)?
Jeremy: Ever since the closing of the Covered Dish, the Gainesville music
scene has been in decline. Common Grounds is a great venue, but it's too small to get
larger national acts. Everyone here has to travel to cities like
Jacksonville or Orlando to see these acts who don't come to Gainesville
anymore. I think Jacksonville has a great local music scene and we always
love playing there.
If you could tour with three other bands, living or dead, who would they be
and why?
Ty: Otis Redding and the Who because they are the greatest of all time.
Which of the bands you get compared to do you feel you actually share
similarities with?
Jeremy: The Who.
What are some other bands you feel deserve more exposure?
Ty: Our friend Mike Maines is a genius and he plays all instruments and
writes all kinds of music, from classical to rock operas. He records in his house
and deserves all the attention in the world, he's absolutely amazing!
Do you prefer playing live or writing and recording?
Jeremy: Recording by a hair. We always have a great time in the studio, and
it's definitely where we shine. I love the release of playing live, but you
can't beat the feeling of hearing a song that you wrote come together piece by piece on
record.
Why'd you decide to form the band?
Ty: We decided to form the band because Jeremy and I had the same love for
the same music when we were growing up together, and it just seemed natural to
try and emulate our heroes and get a band together.
Is there a particular PR4 song that you feel sums up the band's sound?
Jeremy: "Show 'Em (that you can)". We've been writing a lot of material in
this classic
rock/R&B vein.
Is there a band you are absolutely sick of being compared to? Why is that?
Ty: We are very sick of being compared to Weezer and Elvis Costello.
People tend to hold on to first impressions and Jeremy and I were
writing that kind of "dork rock" when we were 16,17 years old and we have been
writing much different kinds of songs for the last three or four
years...especially in the last year when we've been on this old R&B and soul
and classic rock kick that I think we've discovered kinda as our niche and as
our favorite music to listen to, write, and play as a band.
So I wish some people would let go of first impressions that they
formed years ago and understand that we have evolved quite a bit.
What's your favorite place to play in Jacksonville?
Jeremy: Thee Imperial. Great sound, great owner, and great food. You can't
beat a rock venue that has a gourmet pizza parlor inside.
What's happening in the near future for the PR4?
Ty: In the near future, we plan on touring a lot more since we are all
almost done with school and also continuing to write and record new material
and perhaps relocate.
