BIOGRAPHY
Doug Principato a.k.a grand pepper of reality, is a seasoned performer, singer-songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer based in Staten Island NY with a passion for music that spans genres. A musical chameleon who delves deep into the soul, his songs resonate from the heart for the heart. grand pepper of reality creates psychedelic/alternative rock that can get proggy or folky. It features Doug’s music solo and with bandmates. They released two albums, Songs That Saved My Life and Calling The Air. Each one follows its own story line, Songs… deals with trials of a personal relationship and Calling…explores the self vs. society. These records were independently crafted with passion to take listeners on a journey.
Recently, grand pepper of reality recorded their newest album, Cry & Sing at Doug’s home-studio Pepper Temple. It was beautifully mixed by Grammy winning engineer, Ariel Shafir at Dreamland Studio and skillfully mastered direct from tape by the legendary Scott Hull at Masterdisk. The music jumps right out of the record. There is incredible energy and magic in the basic tracks as they were caught live in the studio. The album will be self released (Pepper Temple Records 003) on amazing sounding vinyl and digital download in 2026, preceded by three singles with videos, the first being the infectious and rocking title track, Cry & Sing, then the power-pop masterpiece, Elephants Fly! and the irressistable cross over sound of Let's Be Easy.
The band features Jonas Manashowitz on drums, bells and various percussion instruments. Jonas and Doug have been friends and original music collaborators since high school. Fritz Sammy, a long-time friend and fan, stepped in on bass and backing vocals and Doug’s songwriting, production, lead & backing vocals, guitars, mandolin, ukulele and synthesizers complete the current line-up. We love and thank Shosh Vogel who added beautiful lead & backing vocals, clarinet and ukulele parts to the record.
Relentlessly composing, performing and recording music for decades, from his early days in the neo-psychedelic sounds of Mad Tea Party, to spearheading NYC’s stoner-rock/acid-core music scene as lead guitarist with The Thing, to touring the world with the legendary Ari-Up (of The Slits) as Ari-Up & the True Warriors, Doug’s broad playing style propelled him into the spotlight. His passion for collaborating in unique soundscapes placed him on the cutting edge as he was a founding member, along with other musical talents, of bands ranging from the Moroccan Gnawa funk/free jazz - Majoun, tHe LaTteR- an electronica/space rock/experimental thing, alt-rock power trio Heavy Water to the critically acclaimed Earth People comprised of some of the greatest luminaries in avant/free jazz. As part of the Sepoy Rebellion and Elektromotif poetry/music groups, he composed for and performed themed shows in NYC funded by COAHSI grants including a 9/11 tribute From Mourning into Morning, Wil Wynn's Synchronicity: A Secular Oratorio and Tres Criollos installation workshop Who Are You?/Quien Eres?.
Venturing into music for films, he composed and recorded soundtracks for Crackers (starring Vincent D’onofrio and Brenda Vaccaro), A Look Behind The Curtain (about comedian Sal Richards), and also wrote music for World Vote Now! and others. Stepping outside his comfort zone, he starred as DJ Fred Henry in the surreal movie short, Caller Zero.
Alongside an impressive musical career, Doug has made significant contributions in the field of education before retiring in 2023 from the NYC DOE. Aware of and attuned to the transformative power of music, he developed a groundbreaking curriculum designed to teach music to special needs children, and for 30 years, his innovative approach provided an opportunity for young students to explore their potential and find solace in the universal language of music.
Now his new full time job and primary focus is grand pepper of reality. They are looking forward to playing more shows by touring the upcoming album, Cry & Sing and promoting its three singles (and videos) while working in every way to expand and grow their fan base. The band is constantly creating and practicing new material and the next album is already shaping up. Become part of grand pepper’s world by signing their mailing list, follow them on instagram, facebook and youtube. Book them for a show and above all, check out their uniquely powerful songs.
RELATED LINKS:
grand pepper of reality albums: Songs that Saved My Life & Calling the Air
https://grandpepperofreality.hearnow.com/songs-that-saved-my-life
https://grandpepperofreality.hearnow.com/calling-the-air
grand pepper of reality videos:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvxLHHy66GwfMHlfVKhk9imKeuSyddcc&si=yoJ3MtOSpWjG9SGP
Caller Zero Movie:
https://www.gregprincipato.com/caller-zero
Earth People:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvxLHHy66GzJ1oX9HXIc9EvCryz03jDF&si=MXopqrTvL03bn7v2
Ari-Up & The True Warriors:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvxLHHy66Gyb-9nKnVn0dBLulMW8S6KF&si=5Z2dIXxajE4qaEC4
