The story of Public Access TV seems like it was written for an episode of Behind The Music. A group of friends drop out of high school and catch a New York City bound bus with dreams of starting a band. What follows is a frenzy of press hype, label bidding wars, a critically-acclaimed debut album, sold-out tours, and festival slots around the world. But as all viewers of any music doc surely know, there is always a darker side to the story, and PATV is no exception. Addiction, recovery programs, public brawls (mostly with one-another), a devastating explosion that destroyed all their earthly possessions, and a car crash behind the wheel of an 80’s convertible…a lifetime packed into one-album cycle. Now for part two, Public Access TV’s sophomore album: Street Safari.
The band, comprised of frontman and lead-singer John Eatherly, Xan Aird, Max Peebles, and Pete Star, entered the studio to record the new album in fall 2017 with Producer Patrick Wimberly (Beyonce, Chairlift, MGMT, Blood Orange) armed with a plethora of songs they’d written documenting the tumultuous last few years of their lives. The first single “Metrotech” previews the more expansive palette the band is working with on their new album. “I think it’s a cop-out to say that this is our mature album, or whatever cliche thing it is that bands say about their second album.” says Eatherly. “There was no spiritual awakening or come-to-Jesus moment. We’re four young guys trying to figure our lives out, be good people, and a lot of the time find ourselves coming up short. Expressing this through songwriting is the challenge and I can only hope the deliverance.”
