Chad Price Peace Coalition

An artist entering his staggering fourth decade writing and performing music that weaves in and out of seminal pop-punk, alt-country, metal, and a fascinating indie folk-prog hybrid, Chad Price has made the most of his time.

In 1993, Price stumbled into the ultimate rock and roll fantasy when his favorite band, Los Angeles punk stalwarts ALL, tapped him as its third singer. Price contributed 90s heft to the rejuvenated band’s already-storied catalog and quickly ingratiated himself with their fiercely loyal fanbase and sharpened his songwriting chops. As Price managed to keep up with ALL’s breakneck schedule, he was beginning to open up new musical veins that unmistakably skewed toward traditional folk and Americana with his band Drag the River through seven albums over 13 years. Ever the king of overlapping, cross-pollinating projects, Price countered Drag the River’s guttered heartland rock by continuing to push himself in two directions at once. His solo work plays like a bruised morning after a rowdy Drag the River show, and his band A Vulture Wake is a truly unexpected detour into prog-metal.

All those miles and artistic transformations have now led to the welcome arrival of a new project – Chad Price Peace Coalition and the album A Perfect Pearl. Price unpacks the group’s origin story: “A year or so ago I did a show singing with a ALL cover band. I really liked the guys and we bonded over our love of prog-rock. The idea of expanding the sound started influencing my writing.” Cory West (drums, lead guitar, and keys) and Anthony Medici (bass, lead guitar, and vocals) were the perfect partners in fleshing out Chad’s latest ten songs. While A Perfect Pearl certainly delivers Price’s signature rough-hewn vulnerability, the limber trio format kicks up some sublime musical moments that, yes, feel distinctly inspired by prog giants like Jethro Tull and Yes.  Chad Price Peace Coalition‘s A Perfect Pearl is a distinctly compelling listen, and like the best rock albums, it provokes and ultimately rewards an attentive listener.