Physical Plant

Artistic differences can tear apart even the best of bands. It’s happened countless times in rock history (we’re looking at you, Gallagher brothers). But for the five members of psychedelic folk-rock band Physical Plant, these differences actually work in their favor, ensuring the group is constantly growing, adapting and extending its proverbial roots.

[VIDEO INTERVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JhaWj2asOA]

With three independent singer/songwriters in its lineup, the band melds its members’ distinct styles and influences into a sound it can call its own. The result is reminiscent of early ’60s psychedelic rock tonalities, with a blend of four-part harmony; cutting lead-guitar lines; and upbeat pop sensibility.

“We want to explore every musical genre available,” says Jake Elrod, one of the band’s singers, as well as its acoustic guitarist and mandolin player. “At our core, I think our biggest strength is that we have no idea what this band is supposed to be, and we make it up a different way each week.”

The band formed three years ago at New College of Florida as a class project of roommates Caegan Quimby and Jake Elrod. They used Quimby’s audio-engineering knowledge to record Elrod’s original songs for school credit. But, after a few months of playing together, they decided to expand the project to include fellow students Josh Scheible and David Baker, and they realized they’d found not just a class project, but a creative outlet.

“It suddenly hit us,” says Quimby. “Oh, we’re a band, now. We should keep doing this.”

The members eventually recruited drummer Zach Eidelman, who they say introduced more energy into the band’s dynamic, and they continued to explore their varied musical backgrounds.

“There’s a lot thrown in there,” says Baker. “The fun part for us is to try to make it all come together in a way that makes sense. It’s hard to say we’re any one thing, but, whatever comes out, we all enjoy it.”

The band recently released its second self-produced EP, “Wisdom Tooth,” which Scheible says is a good representation of how much the band has grown.

“I think it’s a signifier of being a little older, a little bit wiser and going through some pain along the way,” he says of the title.

Baker agrees.

“At the end of the day, this band is a lot of fun,” he says. “I think that counts for a lot. We have a lot of fun with each other, and we just want to keep it going.” - This Week In Sarasota

Physical Plant blends a pure form of old-style psychedelic rock with a fresh brand of indie-folk full of intriguing vocal harmonies and vast musical exploration. - Ticket Sarasota

Physical Plant blends a pure form of old-style psychedelic rock with a fresh brand of indie-folk full of intriguing vocal harmonies and vast musical exploration. - Ticket Sarasota

When I first heard “Teleprompter,” composed by guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Caegan Quimby, it knocked the air out of me. It still compels me to head-bang without the requisite amount of alcohol that it usually takes to elicit such, ahem, effusiveness. I wait for the first crashing entrance of drums, guitar and bass with nerve-quivering anticipation, like a bodysurfer waiting for that perfect wave to break over him. And after the slightly swinging chorus, it’s all a breathless psychedelic ride, guitars wailing, angel choirs howling and Caegan screaming like a heartsick panther until Jake Elrod’s slide-guitar denouement and conclusion raise goosebumps up and down my skin. I live for those moments when a song tickles my brain enough to provoke a corporal response. Best part of all? I think “Teleprompter” is a love song. - This Week in Sarasota

When I first heard “Teleprompter,” composed by guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Caegan Quimby, it knocked the air out of me. It still compels me to head-bang without the requisite amount of alcohol that it usually takes to elicit such, ahem, effusiveness. I wait for the first crashing entrance of drums, guitar and bass with nerve-quivering anticipation, like a bodysurfer waiting for that perfect wave to break over him. And after the slightly swinging chorus, it’s all a breathless psychedelic ride, guitars wailing, angel choirs howling and Caegan screaming like a heartsick panther until Jake Elrod’s slide-guitar denouement and conclusion raise goosebumps up and down my skin. I live for those moments when a song tickles my brain enough to provoke a corporal response. Best part of all? I think “Teleprompter” is a love song. - This Week in Sarasota

When I first heard “Teleprompter,” composed by guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Caegan Quimby, it knocked the air out of me. It still compels me to head-bang without the requisite amount of alcohol that it usually takes to elicit such, ahem, effusiveness. I wait for the first crashing entrance of drums, guitar and bass with nerve-quivering anticipation, like a bodysurfer waiting for that perfect wave to break over him. And after the slightly swinging chorus, it’s all a breathless psychedelic ride, guitars wailing, angel choirs howling and Caegan screaming like a heartsick panther until Jake Elrod’s slide-guitar denouement and conclusion raise goosebumps up and down my skin. I live for those moments when a song tickles my brain enough to provoke a corporal response. Best part of all? I think “Teleprompter” is a love song. - This Week in Sarasota

When I first heard “Teleprompter,” composed by guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Caegan Quimby, it knocked the air out of me. It still compels me to head-bang without the requisite amount of alcohol that it usually takes to elicit such, ahem, effusiveness. I wait for the first crashing entrance of drums, guitar and bass with nerve-quivering anticipation, like a bodysurfer waiting for that perfect wave to break over him. And after the slightly swinging chorus, it’s all a breathless psychedelic ride, guitars wailing, angel choirs howling and Caegan screaming like a heartsick panther until Jake Elrod’s slide-guitar denouement and conclusion raise goosebumps up and down my skin. I live for those moments when a song tickles my brain enough to provoke a corporal response. Best part of all? I think “Teleprompter” is a love song. - This Week in Sarasota

Although the five-piece neo-psychedelic popsters have been recording a second EP (the first, “Are They Dangerous?,” is available for free download at physicalplant.bandcamp.com), PP plans a summer sabbatical, so this is likely its final SRQ appearance for a while (although it’s scheduled among the multitudes at St. Pete’s Antiwarpt Music Fest on July 28). - Ticket Sarasota

Although the five-piece neo-psychedelic popsters have been recording a second EP (the first, “Are They Dangerous?,” is available for free download at physicalplant.bandcamp.com), PP plans a summer sabbatical, so this is likely its final SRQ appearance for a while (although it’s scheduled among the multitudes at St. Pete’s Antiwarpt Music Fest on July 28). - Ticket Sarasota

If you are familiar with The Closet, then you know that they put on well-curated shows with a variety of bands in just the right lineup. Friday night’s show was no exception. The crowd warmed up quickly with a set from Physical Plant and their unique psychedelic rock and folk music blend. - This Week in Sarasota

If you are familiar with The Closet, then you know that they put on well-curated shows with a variety of bands in just the right lineup. Friday night’s show was no exception. The crowd warmed up quickly with a set from Physical Plant and their unique psychedelic rock and folk music blend. - This Week in Sarasota

Physical Plant, who described their sound in an interview with This Week in Sarasota as “psychedelic rock and folk,” strummed their first chord at around 9:30 p.m. and continued with an electrifying set that overflowed with melodious, four-part vocal harmonies, galvanizing guitar solos, heaving bass lines, compelling keyboards and thunderous drums that had feet shuffling and heads nodding across the venue until the performance came to a deliberately abrupt conclusion that had many in the audience catching their breath. - This Week in Sarasota