Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, May 23, 2002.
Juan Prophet Organization is an unusual name for a most unusual band.
''It's actually a long story,'' violinist/vocalist Grayson White says. ''Basically,
it sounds like 'non-profit organization.' We have four core members, but anybody
interested in original thought and original music can play with us.''
The band has a decidedly original sound and cannot be classified into one genre.
Among its influences, the JPO lists Frank Zappa and Mr. Bungle.
The band's second album, ''Naked and Palletized,'' was self-released in January.
The album showcases the JPO's unpredictable time changes, swirling chord progressions
and sense of humor on songs like ''The Illegal Polka'' and ''Creepy Room.''
The JPO began three years ago when its four members -- White, Kris White, Jeff
Holt and Joshua Foreman -- moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., from Louisiana.
''The music ended up just being what it is,'' White says.
The four musicians trade instruments. Besides the usual guitar, bass, keyboards
and drums, they also add violin, glockenspiel, accordion and any other instrument
they can get their hands on.
''We all pick up different instruments and just throw them into the mix. It's
fun, and it keeps us interested,'' White says, adding that the group has recently
added trumpet and mellophone to its repertoire.
The band had a hard time finding a place in the Murfreesboro music scene where
bluegrass and pop rule the clubs.
''There's a huge scene in Murfreesboro. It's ridiculous,'' White says. ''We
don't fit in at all. We were putting out this music and nobody really got it
for a while.''
In three years, however, the JPO has amassed a following, and a handful of other
bands in the area have followed their lead by branching out into experimental
music.
The band is currently working on a music score for an independent film, ''Trite
This Way,'' which will soon be released by Murfreesboro-based production company
Barefoot and Independent.
''It's a weird movie,'' White laughs. ''We've never done that before, but it's
working out really neat.''
The JPO will soon begin recording a third album and will embark on a tour of
the East Coast in July.
Before that, though, the band plans to give the Classic City a taste of its
eclectic music on Saturday. The JPO has already played in Athens a couple times,
most recently with Polemic at the Caledonia earlier this month.
''They were loud,'' White says. ''I like Athens a lot. Everyone we've met (here)
has been great.''