The Ponyville Express presents the psychedelic story of, “The Phosphene Dreamers.”
The Phosphene Dreams formed in Ponyville when the members: Alice Drone (vocals, sitar), John McPeak (bass guitar, organ), Austin Bland (guitar, other), and James Clifton (main bass, vocals) meet one day at Ponyville Park. It was that day when the members would turn out to redefine Equestrian music. In an interview with Alice Drone she said, “Sure, I had no idea that I would form a band with a few groovy colts that would took the world by storm. But I am glad I did.” When asked about what drove the music style Miss Drone said, “The thinking of a new generation.”
We start off with the starter of the band, James Clifton, A 30 year Pegasus from Cloudsdale. Born March 16th 1934 to parents Clyde and Martha Clifton James was the first and only child of the couple. He would soon past flight academy and get a steady job working in the rainbow factory. Rainbows would be one of the main influences in his musical tastes, being colorful and free. The young colt at this time was 19 and bought his first bass guitar. Anytime he was not working he would practicing his bass. He would soon meet another John McPeak as they both shared interest in the bass, McPeak more the organ. They would become best friends and formed a duo called “The Bass Boys” that would stay afloat mostly in underground settings. We took the time to ask Mr. Clifton some questions about himself and the band.
“Would you care to share a little about yourself Mr. Clifton?”
“Well I am 30 years old and the starter of a ship that I didn’t expect to sail this fast.”
“What about your childhood life in Cloudsdale?”
“Well I am grateful to my parents for having me. And I like Cloudsdale it is a source of inspiration, it makes you feel free when your there, for us Pegasus’s though.”
“Mr. Clifton when you met in Ponyville Park, did you have any idea that your band would become this big?”
“I had absolutely no idea that we would rocket like we did, you know, I thought it would be a nice little group you know, just something to kill time.”
“What caught your eye to the members of your band?”
“Well you know the marks give it away, I mean I knew what type of sound I wanted my band to have each of their marks gave there sound away to me.”
“I have just one last question for you here. What is the future of The Phosphene Dreamers?”
“Well I plan to keep making music as long as the rest of the band will play it and just go with the flow from there.”
“Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.”
“No problem it has been a privilege that I thought I would never get.”
Next we have the story of, Alice Drone 29 year old unicorn from Manehatten. She was born to parents Tom and Betty Drone on July 3rd 1934. As a young filly she was described as an unpredictable yet somehow calm young student at all of the schools she attended in Manehatten. She was enriched in a variety of cultures we she got her inspiration. This interest led to her playing the sitar. She would showcase her talent at her schools and a coffee shop where she worked. She later moved to Ponyville to be freer and less, she described it, “constricted by metal and concrete.” We took the time like we did with every band member to ask her some questions.
“What was life like for you in Manehatten?
“It for a time was exciting. I could interact with many cultures at a time in such a big city.”
“What made you leave Manehatten?
“I wanted to bring other cultures to other places.”
“From what I heard you are reluctant to sing. Why is that?”
“Well I just don’t like my singing voice. I know a lot of people like singing voice because it is soft and carries the sound of the instruments we play. I am starting to like singing a little bit more but I still like playing my sitar.”
“So when James came up to you and asked if you wanted to be in a, “different but stellar sounding band,” what did you think?”
“I thought it would be nice to be a part of a little group, make a couple songs about life and keep close as friends. I almost refused because I thought they would be your run of the mill beatniks, I was wrong about that one.”
“We have one last thing for you here. What is your favorite part of being a part of this band?
“I like that we are bringing a new sound around that exposes people to things”
“Thank you for your time Miss Drone.”
Next we have the story of Austin Bland, The guitarist for the band. Mr. Bland is a 31 year old earth pony from Fillydelphia. He was born to parents Tim and Elizabeth Bland on December 8, 1935. He could be easily identified as a lively kid who opened others to new things and never seemed to be down about anything. Bland took up the guitar as a way of expressing himself in a different way than art, of which he didn’t have much like for giving the reason that it is stationary and doesn’t move like a wave. He would work at a record company, the same one that the band released their self title alum. He would be in Ponyville searching for a new sound. He would learn that he found it. We took the time to ask him a few questions.
“Mr. Bland, what was it like for you living in Fillydelphia?”
“It was okay for a little bit of my life, but then it got boring. Really repetitive same schedule same sounds all day long, so then I moved to Ponyville.”
“Did you expect to find your band mates there?”
“Not really, I wasn’t looking for a band to join actually. I wanted to expose myself to new sounds really. But some guy comes up to me asks if I want to be in a band and next thing you new I’m here.”
“What made you join the band?”
“Well I thought to myself that it would be an easy way to expose myself than I could jump to another and it would be done. I was wrong most definitely.”
“Do you plan to stay with the band for much longer?”
“I will stay with the band as long as we stay a group. I might join other bands on the side just to occupy time off from tours. Other than that I plan to stay.”
“Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.”
“You’re welcome, and thank you for having me.”
Next we have the story of John McPeak another Pegasus pony from Cloudsdale. He was born August 17, 1934 to parents Patrick and Annie McPeak. He could be easily spotted due to his lack of steady thinking and constantly changing his mind. He graduated from flight school and soon after got a job making snowflakes. Snowflakes to him were a way to express thoughts through random images. He would take playing the organ and the base and soon would meet James Clifton. We took the time ask him some questions.
“What made you want to be friends with James Clifton?”
“Well we both liked the bass guitar. And we both had an abstract sense of style and music.”
“Was he the first friend you ever had?”
“No, we both had many friends before that. Other ponies just got along with us no matter what type.”
Shortly after their start the band wrote a number of songs. One of those songs titled, “A killers Dream,” put them on the music scene. It would rise to the top of the charts in a matter of weeks. The song would stay there for half a month. To the band this was the perfect start. They saw it as a one and million chance. Shortly after the songs success the signed with Canterlot Records and began becoming the superstars they are today. They would write many more songs to come including songs such as, “Celestial Daze,” and, “Pink Smile.” The band has moved to Canterlot but is still involved with the communities they grew up with. They plan to donate much of their earnings to charity and promote goodwill amongst the coming generation. Have a pleasant night as always, your host, Austin Clifton.