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Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM) is a DC based "hip-hop band". The
unsigned 5-piece, which also serves as the backing band for Panacea
live, was formed late last century by cousins Jason "Raw Poetic" Moore
and Marlon "H2A" Vann. While toiling in their basement, the duo
created the EP "Transitions," which sparked interest with record
executives, but yielded one constant critique: "You're too Hip-Hop for
Rock and too Rock for Hip-Hop."
Frustrated, but not discouraged, RPM ignored this limited
perception of what modern music should sound and look like and pressed
on with their vision. As they evolved musically, they began doing
something that further complicated their definition and
classification... they added members. The band that fleshed out at the
time featured Bassist Drew Thomas (known as B.E.S.S),
keyboardist/trumpeter/bassist Aaron "Enron" Gause and classically
trained guitarist Patrick "P-Fritz" Fritz followed, as did drummer
Fred Jackson.
The band has seen a few member changes, Fred was replaced by Blake
Surbey, who was replaced by Will Bobbit. In time however, co-founding
member Marlon Vann decided that he too had to part ways. His departure
left a considerable void in RPM, but through acquaintance and good
fortune, Kyle Murdock aka "K-Murdock" stepped in and pushed RPM even
further into musical experimentation.
For the next three years, RPM would tour the east coast, building a
name for themselves, while opening for acts like Rahzel, Ozomatli and
Little Brother. The band has released the LPs "Dream Awake" and
"Pyramids in Moscow", once again with original producer H2A. Producer
K-Murdock and emcee Raw Poetic collaborated on a side-project, dubbed
Panacea and began to play shows as RPM, recording full-length album
"Thinking Back Looking Forward."
Band dynamics would force RPM to imploded, seeing the departures of
Will Bobbit for family and Drew Thomas to pursue other interest. The
loss of these members and demands on Jason and Kyle's Panacea project
would led to a hiatus from the scene. While working on 2006's "Ink Is
My Drink, the plotting of a more emotive live show became real when
Raw Poetic rounded up surviving RPM members Enron and P-Fritz and
reformed RPM to perform as the Panacea band.
Much respect and blessings,
Raw Poetic (RPM/PANACEA)
RPM: rpm@rpmband.com | rpmband.com
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