3/01   Please note the recent revisions made to the Cover Songs list.

3/01   Pete Pidgeon played with Altitude - guitarist Geoff Scott of Miracle Orchestra's new side-project on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at Matt Murphy's in Brookline, MA. The show featured special guest bassist Jonti Siman of Fat Mama. Geoff debuted this group on the prior Tuesday (3/13/01) at the same venue and will have a variance of special guests at each successive show. The shows are FREE! and start at 9:30pm and run until about 2:00am. Matt Murphy's is located at 14 Harvard Square in Brookline, MA and their phone number is (617) 232-0188. Click here for directions.

3/01   Pete Pidgeon played with Miracle Orchestra guitarist Geoff Scott on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at Matt Murphy's in Brookline, MA. This was the first performance of Geoff's self-directed side project called Altitude and his first-ever solo show singing. Geoff played the majority of the show on his own on guitar, percussion and vocals. Pete sat in on The Grateful Dead's China Doll and Stella Blue, the debut of Pete's original vocal tune Samosa Blues, and Wayne Shorter's Footprints. Towards the end of the show, Pete joined once again for several improvised pieces.

2/01   You can now download Pete Pidgeon & Arcoda off the internet! Go to theslip.net and read the Getting Started section. From there you will need to download the proper software. Once simply installed, search for Pete Pidgeon, Arcoda, or Pete Pidgeon & Arcoda. The new disc, Live At Harpers is the only thing up right now. It will come up listed as the 15 individual tracks in reverse order (track 15, 14, 13... from top to bottom). For track names, go to our Albums page. Also on the site is Pete's performance of the tune Sweaty Rump Shaker with Miracle Orchestra on February 13, 2001 at Vassar College (see below). Search for "Miracle Orchestra" as the Artist Name and "2-13-01" as the Song Title. Sweaty Rump Shaker is track 12 (listed as 12.mp3) as is 15:36 in Length. More of the Pete's music will be up soon including Pete on with Southern Fried Soul Shack (see below), Pete opening for The Slip September 24, 2000 at Ashland Creek Bar and Grill in Ashland, Oregon, and Pete with Uncle Sammy & Friends (see below).

2/01   Check out the NEW Photos Page for some visuals of the January 17, 2001 Harpers Ferry show, plus a shot from the archive.

2/01   You can now hear Pete Pidgeon on the radio! Please support the music by requesting any of the tunes off the new cd Live At Harpers. Check the Radio page for additional info. Thank you for your support!

2/01   Pete Pidgeon & Arcoda is now offering CD's of the show at Harper's Ferry in Allston, MA on January 17, 2001. If you are interested in obtaining one, please visit the Albums page.

2/01   On Sunday, February 18, 2001, Pete Pidgeon sat in with Southern Fried Soul Shack at Harpers Ferry in Allston, MA. Pete played on the Toots and the Maytals tune 54-46 Was My Number. Southern Fried Soul Shack is an allstar group headed by guitarist Jon (Johnny) Trauma (Rockett Band, Ron Levy) which includes a usual lineup of bassist Gary Wicks (Rockett Band), keyboardist Dan Birksen (Anti-Jazz Ray Gun), drummer Brian Sayers (Uncle Trouble, former Miracle Orchestra), guitarist Jay O'Keefe (The Well) and guitarist/ keyboardist/ singer Alex W. (Another Planet). Southern Fried Soul Shack plays every Sunday at Harpers Ferry.

2/01   On Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2001, Pete Pidgeon was a part of Uncle Sammy & Friends: an allstar show featuring members of Uncle Sammy, Addison Groove Project, Jiggle the Handle, Jive Talkin' Robots, Arcoda, John Brown's Body, Nozmo King, Rockett Band, and Roman Zeitlin. Pete played on the Grant Green tune Windjammer along with Rob Marscher of Addison Groove Project on keyboards and all of Uncle Sammy. For the setlist, click HERE. The show got great reviews. See the news page for a review by Jambands.com.

2/01   On Tuesday, February 13, 2001, Pete Pidgeon sat in with Miracle Orchestra at The Mug on the campus of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. This was his first appearance guesting with the band. The feautured tune was Sweaty Rump Shaker. You can download it using the instructions on the Albums page.

2/01   On Saturday, February 10, 2001, Pete Pidgeon Piller Project opened up for Miracle Orchestra at Snug Harbor in New Paltz, NY. The show was a great success and matched Pete Pidgeon and M/O's previous New Paltz double bill appearance in May if not besting it. The post show featured the return of Kitchen Jam for Kitchen Jam 2001. The last Kitchen Jam was Kitchen Jam '99 also in New Paltz. Kitchen Jam is a rare, late-night exibition open to all partying members using whatever kitchen pots, pans, utencils and non-breakables are available at the time. Neighbors LOVE Kitchen Jam...

2/01   On Friday, February 9, 2001, Pete Pidgeon performed solo for the grand opening of Stefcia Skrabak's art gallery at Starbucks in New Paltz, NY. Pete debuted his newest tune called Blonde Blue-Eyed and Pretty Women Don't Follow Me followed by a pair of jams featuring musicians from Josh Jaime Craig & Will who opened the show and other New Paltz players. These included Jaime Johnson and Sara Medenbach on vocals, Craig on bass and percussion, Eric Sanderson on bass, Josh Kaufman on guitar, bass and drums, and Will Duncan on drums and percussion. The exhibit will will be up until at least the end of February so please check it out and support Stefcia in her art.
Directions: Starbucks is off Exit 18 on Rt. 87 (NY Thruway). Take Rt. 299 (Main St.) West. Starbucks is on the corner of Plattekill Ave. and Rt. 299 (Main St.) just before the Mobil Station at the bottom of the hill. Phone: (845) 256-9823.

1/01   The January 17, 2001 show at Harpers Ferry in Allston, MA was a great success! The club said it was one of the best Wednesdays they had seen in a while. Tanya Shylock of Mountain Of Venus sang vocal harmony on Float. Garrett Sayers, bassist with Miracle Orchestra, and Andrew Barr, drummer for The Slip, joined Pete for Pretty Women Don't Follow Me. To end the show, Jared Sims, also with Miracle Orchestra, added his saxophone talents to Garrett, Andrew, and Pete's performance of the tune Thank You. For the setlist check out the Setlists page.

1/01   Added special guests on the Pete Pidgeon show January 17th have been announced! Jared Sims, saxophonist for Miracle Orchestra and drummer Andrew Barr of The Slip will now be contributing their talents to one of Pete's tunes. Tanya Shylock of headliner Mountain Of Venus will be singing harmony for a song as well. Please see the next paragraph for all the info.

1/01   The Arcoda show scheduled for Wednesday, the 17th will now be a Pete Pidgeon solo performance. Special Guest Garrett Sayers, bassist with Miracle Orchestra will be supplying his talents to one of Pete's tunes. Pete will be opening for friends Mountain Of Venus. The show is: JANUARY 17, 2001, 9:00pm at HARPERS FERRY located at 158 BRIGHTON AVE, ALLSTON, MA. Mountain Of Venus at 10:30pm. Phone: (617) 254-7380 or (617) 254-9743.

11/00   Arcoda's final performance as Pete, Gian, Shane, and Joe was at this year's Hemp Splash/ WHEE Festival from 1:00pm-2:30pm on Saturday, July 29, 2000 in Afton, NY. The festival also featured Merl Saunders & His Funky Friends, David Nelson Band, Dude of Life, Hypnotic Clambake, and many others. Go to http://www.damnsam.com/damnsam/whee/ and see what it was all about.

11/00   In related news, the Gian "Gianny Ghetto" Starr-directed group Whiter Side of Trash will be continuing on in New Paltz after Pete's departure under the name Humous (but pronounce Hoo-moose). Look for upcoimng shows in New Paltz, NY at Oasis Cafe and Snug Harbor.

11/00   Pete Pidgeon's final performance with Kind Beats, a percussion duo which featured Pete and founder Andrew McAuley, occured at Oasis Cafe in New Paltz, NY on Monday, August 28, 2000. The setlist read: Opening Piece, Break Beat, Tranquility's Rhythm, Closing Piece (featuring Chris Reilly reciting spoken word). The show also included percussionist Isac "Hayes" Cruz on congas. Isac played with Arcoda at the historic Harvest Moon Jamboree performance in 1998. The group will continue to go on under Andrew's direction. Check the KB webpage for upcoming dates.

11/00   Groove Merchants last show happened at Oasis Cafe on Thursday, August 17, 2000. The ensemble lasted an enduring 18 months (formed February 1999) amidst each member's heavy involvement with other bands. David "CasT" Castiglione, the band's creator, chose not to continue the group after Pete's departure. Bassist Doug Piller is currently involved in a group with guitarist Josh Kaufman (of the now defunked New Paltz band Pooja) and Will from Top Bunk on drums.

11/00   Jazz Midgets and Pete Pidgeon & Family will likely continue in Boston with new lineups. Check this page for current events.

10/00   Please note that the phone number for booking has permanently changed to (845) 430-8217.

9/00   On September 24, 2000, Pete Pidgeon opened up for The Slip at Ashland Creek Grill in Ashland, Oregon. Pete played two songs solo on his late 50's Gibson Hummingbird acoustic: The Path (dedicated to Brad Barr) and Float.

9/00   The Arcoda show scheduled for Friday, September 22, 2000 with Miracle Orchestra at Snug Harbor in New Paltz, NY is cancelled due to a scheduling problem with both bands. Our friends Whiskey Dick will be performing along with New Paltz jazz/ groove players Top Bunk in our place. We hope to have Miracle back in the area before the end of the year. In addition, the Saturday, October 7, 2000 with Jimson's Lyric at Snugs will still host Jimson's, but be absent Arcoda. Call the bar at (845) 255-9800 as the show approaches or stay tuned for updates on the opener.

8/00   Arcoda was slated to open for The Slip at Joyous Lake in Woodstock, NY on August 3, 2000, but due to a miscommunication with the bar, it did not occur. The show was a live radio broadcast for WDST and the club never books openers for radio shows because extra time is needed for on-air tests and such.

7/00   Pete Pidgeon has begun yet another new project, this time with drummer/ percussionist Andrew McCauley entitled Kind Beats (or KB for short). The press release reads:
"Kind Beats (K.B.) is the duo of Whiskey Dick's (http://www.whiskeydick.cjb.net) Andrew McAuley and Pete Pidgeon of Arcoda (http://www.arcoda.cjb.net) and Groove Merchants. The main focus of K.B. is to bring percussion to the foreground of music by performing both composed and improvisational percussion duets. These performances stress everything from the groove to being extremely experimental. Andrew and Pete may be playing on two drum kits one song, saws, pots, and pans on the next. Some performances will also include cameos by various local players."
For tour dates and other info on the group go to the KB homepage at http://www.kindbeats.cjb.net.

5/00   On May 5, 2000, Pete Pidgeon and Friends performed at Rock Against Racism, held on the fields at State University Of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. The event was headed by NORML and Damn Sam Productions. DeadBeats, Natty Wailer and Friends, Beats From Masters, and the High Times Cannibus Cup Allstar Band also performed. Cliff Thorton, Elvy Musikka and SUNY New Paltz President Roger W. Bowen spoke on various relevant issues. Pete Pidgeon and Friends' setlist follows:
Say Baby (Pete Pidgeon solo)
10 (w/ Shane Furey on bass)
The Path (w/ Dave Ellison on mandolin)
It Is Time (w/ Dave Ellison on mandolin)
Feelin' Alright (Pete and Dave w/ Gian Starr on lead vocals)
Float* (solo Pete)
* Pete had intended on performing The Sun, but broke a string while tuning up for it.

5/00   Later on May 5, 2000, Arcoda performed with Miracle Orchestra at Snug Harbor in New Paltz, NY. Arcoda played from 10:15pm to just before midnight and Miracle Orchestra played from about midnight to 2:30am. Jared Sims, saxophonist for, M/O sat in with Arcoda on Thank You. For the setlist, go to Setlist.com. Many thanks to Jared, Geoff, Bill, Garrett, Pei-Yei, and Darren for making this great show happen!

4/00   Tourdates for Arcoda and Pete Pidgeon are now being listed on Tourdates.com.

3/00   Arcoda is now hosted on Setlist.com. Some recent setlists still need to be added, but this is still the most comprehensive list of our shows on the web. The setlist page on this site is currently having difficulties and will be back up shortly. All upcoming setlists will be at Setlist.com in the meantime.

3/00   The Arcoda show on Thursday, March 23, 2000 is going to be a Pete Pidgeon's Jazz Midgets show instead. The last, and only other, Jazz Midgets show was at Snug Harbor in New Paltz, NY on Friday, February, 18, 2000. That show's original lineup was Pete Pidgeon - guitar, Jeremy Baum - Hammond B-3 organ, Eric Sanderson - bass guitar, Shane Kirsch - teonor saxophone, and Tashi Kaiser - drum set. The lineup that performed that concert, however, also included Henry Powderly on tenor saxophone and was absent Jeremy Baum on account of blizzard conditions. The upcoming concert will likely have a slightly different lineup but will still include Pete and Henry.

2/00   Arcoda played their first show of the year at Oasis Cafe in New Paltz, NY on Friday, January 28, 2000. They did two sets, although the second was only about 45 minutes long due to a miscommunication between the band and the bar as to when to stop. The highlight was a finale of the Van Halen classic "Hot For Teacher." Pete played the intro standing up on a chair and the solo on his knees for the ladies in the front row.

2/00   The Arcoda show slated for Friday, February, 18, 2000 at Snug Harbor in New Paltz, NY has been changed to "A Night of Funk & Groove." The evening will feature Pete Pidgeon on guitar, Jeremy Baum (of Sonando) on Hammond B-3 Organ, Tashi Kaiser on drums, Shane Kirsch on tenor saxophone, and Eric Sanderson on bass. This 2-set, 21+ show will start at 11:00pm and will be $5 at the door.

12/99   On Monday, December 20, 1999, Whiter Side of Trash performed in a benefit for The Salvation Army at Odessey @ Cabaloosa. The event raised money for Salvation Army and collected toys for the Toys For Tots holiday gift drive. Other peformers included New Paltz natives Calysto Square, deadheads Half-Step, acoustic female performers We, and Allison Hartwell & Friends. Whiter Side's set included: Feelin' Alright (Cocker), Mike's Song (Phish) > Black Peter (Garcia/ Hunter), The Thrill Is Gone (King), Reighteous Man (original), and Porch (Pearl Jam).

12/99   On Friday, December 17, 1999, Groove Merchants tore the house down at Oasis Cafe in New Paltz, NY. Scheduled to play Happy Hour from 6-10pm, the funky quartet rolled straight on through all the way until 12:20am! After the show, the band was awarded longest band to ever play a Happy Hour gig at Oasis.

12/99   On Friday, December 10, 1999, Whiter Side of Trash (featuring Gian Starr) made a suprise, last-minute appearance at Oasis Cafe in New Paltz. The opening set featured Gian and Pete Pidgeon on originals "Float" and "At Once" followed by the addition of madolinist Dave Ellison minus Gian on "The Path." Gian then jumped back to join for Pearl Jam's "Black." A brief break ensued so Pete could leave for his Groove Merchants gig in Saugerties later that night. The second set was greeted by the Starr/ Ellison duo which included: He Was A Friend of Mine (Dylan), Black Eyed Katy (Phish), Candyman (Garcia/ Hunter), Mississippi Half-Step (Garcia/ Hunter), Dupree's Diamond Blues (Hunter/ Garcia/ Lesh), and Dark Hollow (traditional). A second intermission brought the group to set three and the inclusion of Whiskey Dick saxophonist Misha Silverman. The setlist looked like: Gotta Jiboo (Phish), Mike's Song (Phish) > I Shot the Sherrif (Marley) > I Am Hydrogen* (Phish), No Dice (original), Viola Lee Blues** (Lewis), Black Peter*** (Garcia/ Hunter), The Weight*** (Robertson), I Want Your Sex (Michael), Your Recipe (Aswad), Here Comes Sunshine (Garcia/ Hunter), They Love Each Other (Garcia/ Hunter), Don't Cry (Guns & Roses), and Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi). (*accapella, interupted by a guy telling Gian "You Suck." **w/ Tommy O. on Misha's sax ***in memory of Rick Danko)

12/99   On December 8, 1999, the Pidgeon Piller Project performed at Hasbrouck on the SUNY New Paltz campus. The group, consisting of guitarist Pete Pidgeon (ARCODA), and Doug & Greg Piller (bassist and drummer respectively for Beats From Masters), played two sets. The setlist included Hottentot (Scofield), Stir It Up & Lively Up Yourself (Marley), The Sixes & We Need To Play One More Song, What Should We Play? (original), Well You Needn't & Bemsha Swing (Monk), Sister Sadie (Silver), and Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (Temptations) among others. On December 10, 1999 catch the three of them with Groove Merchants in Saugerties, NY. See the Schedule page for more info.

12/99   The ARCODA 12/4/99 show at The Rhinecliff Hotel was cancelled the night of the show due to the bar changing its age restriction from 18+ to 21+. The bar never informed the band and thus many, many people were shut out. Rather than support a bar who told more than half of our crowd to go home, we decided to go home too. We extremely apologize to anyone who made the trip only to find out we were not there (like Pete's mother and brother who drove 2 hours each way!). We will make up for this show as soon as we can find an alternate venue.

12/99   Following the Rhinecliff fiasco, Pete and Shane met up with mandolin player Dave Ellison, percussionist Andrew (of Whiskey Dick), and Sara Medenbach on vocals at a house party on South Oakwood in New Paltz, NY. They all jammed together for a small audience of 15-20 who all sang along to such hits as "Black," "Lean On Me," "Rocky Raccoon," "What's Going On (Four Non Blondes)," "Paradise City," "Patience," "So What," "Autumn Leaves", "Jack-A-Roe," "Theme Song to King of the Hill," and originals "The Path," "Bitches on Parole," "Marrissa (Part I)," and "Say Baby."

11/99   ARCODA will be playing their last show of 1999 at The Rhinecliff Hotel in Rhinecliff, NY on Saturday, December 4, 1999. The show will start around 10:30pm and go until we're too tired to play another note. Renting a room is encouraged. Call the hotel at (914) 876-8688. Please carpool to avoid anyone driving under the influence. Directions are as follows:
Take the New York Thruway to exit 19. Stay right out of the toll booth and follow signs for Rhinecliff Bridge. Over the bridge take your *first* right. Stay right on this road. At stop sign go right towards Rhinecliff. Rhinecliff Hotel is down on the right after the next stop sign. Tickets are available at the door. 18+ See you there!

9/99   We warmly welcome newcomers Shane Furey on bass and Rob Zilinski on drums to the ARCODA family. Chris Macchia and Andy Lewis both left in May to pursue their studies in jazz, and drummer Mike Macbeth diverged paths to engage in projects closer to his Danbury, CT home. We wish them all the very best.

9/99   Check out the SCHEDULE page for upcoming side projects and fall ACRODA tour dates as they are announced.

5/99   On the weekend of Friday April 30 to Sunday May 2, 1999, ARCODA will be headlining ED & POOHLOOZA in Esopus, NY. The 3-day festival will be held on 12 acres and host up to six bands. Carpooling, and camping is encouraged. Please DON'T BRING GLASS BOTTLES. Beer, camping, bands, and parking all included in the ticket price. Tickets are only $15 for ALL 3 DAYS and are NON-NEGOTIABLE! For advance tickets and further information, call (914) 384-6360, or (914) 255-3997 if neccesary. Bands confirmed are Pooja, ARCODA, and Whiskey Dick. Stay tuned for the announcement of the other bands as they are confirmed. Food will be available for an additional donation. Clothing is optional. Car raffle, scavenger hunt, and Bar-B-Q Saturday afternoon. Festivities start Friday, April 30 at 4:00pm and will run until 4:00pm on Sunday, May 2. And for those who flick butts, "Only the ignorant litter!" Please keep the property clean and place all butts and trash in the available buckets. Thank you! See you there.

4/99   On April 12, 1999, Gian and Pete will be performing an acoustic show at Oasis Cafe (upstairs from Cabaloosa) in New Paltz, NY.  The show will start around 11:00pm and last as late as 4:00am.  Songs will be drawn from Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Phish, Arcoda, Pete Pidgeon solo, and many other sources.  Call (914) 255-2400 for more information.

4/99   On April 10, 1999, ARCODA will be part of Viva Variety at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY. This show will also feature Mastas of the Universe, The Schematics, and national act Perfect Thyroid!  We're very psyched to be performing with Thyroid for the first time.  Be sure to catch this show while they're in town for a rare local appearance.  Bassist Jon Stern of Thyroid was a member of ARCODA for several months while the band was called Pete Pidgeon & Friends. Tickets are $8 and should be purchased in advance by calling (914) 255-3997.

4/99   On May 11, 1999, Pete will be performing with his New Paltz Jazz Ensemble named Captain McWookie and the Village Idiots. The concert will take place at McKenna Theater on the campus on SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, NY. The sextet consists of Pete and Josh Kaufman (of Down Home Souls, Pooja) on guitar, Doug Piller (of Mastas of the Universe, Groove Merchants) on upright bass, Henry Powderly on tenor saxophone, Emily Bechtold on alto saxophone, and Tashi Kaiser on drum set. The band is led by saxophonist David Castiglione.

4/99   At this same concert, Pete and Chris Macchia (on upright bass) will also be performing with renown jazz vocalist Teri Roiger's Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Also catch Andy Lewis who will be performing in David Castiglione's second Jazz Ensemble and soundman/ guitarist Jim Collard in Mark Dzuiba's Jazz Guitar Ensemble.

4/99   For all the most current show dates for Arcoda, and Pete Pidgeon, search on Jambase.com. The dates there will often be more current than the dates on this webpage.

3/99   Unfortunately, in the last week of January [1999], rapper L the Black left the band.  He departed to join the group Slip Fist.  The band has prospects of signing soon.  Best of luck to L.  He will be missed.  L recently made a surprise appearance at The Hotel Rhinecliff on February 26, 1999 to rap on tunes "HTG" and "Delivery Tactics!"

2/99   Guitarist Pete Pidgeon is currently involved in a side project called The Groove Merchants. Together since February 1999, the group is lead by renown saxophonist David Castiglione. David has performed with John Medeski (of Medeski, Martin & Wood), Carter Beauford and Stefan Lesard (of The Dave Matthews Band), Don Cherry, and was a member of the New York City band Giant Step among other achievements. The quartet is filled out by Doug and Greg Piller, upright/electric bassist and drummer respectively for New Paltz hip-hoppers Beats From Masters. The vibe is improvisational, instrumental funk with explorations into ambience and alternative arrangements of jazz standards. Check out the SCHEDULE page for upcoming Groove Merchants dates. For booking call (845) 430-8217.

For Booking call (845) 430-8217, or send email to
arcoda316@hotmail.com