About Petroleum By-Product

Formed in Vancouver, BC, in 2006 by Sally Jorgensen ( Sally Dige )and Vanessa Turner. Petroleum By-Product takes their name from their concept of the "plastic generation" -- the idea that mankind is living in a plastic-dominant world, and that mankind has been dramatically altered since the invention of plastic, as evidenced by the increase of gene mutation and herd mentality of the North American society. Their music and costumes echoes this view of society as artificial, superficial, excessive and decadent. Petroleum By-Product has displayed some of the most interesting shows with individually, stylized black-plastic bag garments, packaging, CD sunglasses, use of industrial plastic, and futuristic shoes. Jorgensen and Turner performed their first show in an alternative school's talent show; put on to support low-budget east-end schools. Later they emerged at Fake Jazz Wednesday at the Cobalt which catapulted them in becoming favourites of the Emergency Room scene as evidenced on the Emergency Room Compilation Vol. 1. The same year, Petroleum By-Product was accepted into Vancouver's CiTR annual band competition "Shindig." Through the competition, Petroleum By-Product's popularity increased rapidly and brought a whole new flair to "Shindig." Gena Perala wrote in MV Remix Media, "...most of the bands (in Shindig) have been somewhat disappointing...However, all that changed when Petroleum By-Product hit the stage, donning trashy outfits... err I mean trash bags, yes plastic garbage bags with masking tape...The crowd was into them, I was into them, you might get into them too...and they just might be Shindig's 2007 winner". Petroleum By-Product placed third overall, but was considered the favourite and the best of the year by the fans and the followers. Petroleum By-Product quickly became in demand for headlining and they have played in almost every venue in Vancouver from Richards on Richards to Vancouver Art Gallery Fuse Night and have been featured on radio in live sessions. In 2008, Petroleum By-Product contributed to "the most important collection of local underground music since the Vancouver Complication - Emergency Room Compilation Vol. 1.," says Quinn Omari from Blown Speakers Blog, June 16, 2008. The two songs on the compilation, "Rat Face," and "Grossest Thing," received outrageous and tremendous feedback. "Rat Face," created its own kind of cult. In every show that Petroleum By-Product plays, there is always a crowd request for this now classic cult song. The opening bars says it all: "I was walking down the street one time and this girl came up to me and says: You've got a real RAT FACE." Any song that kicks off with that statement is destined for high rotation on my turntable. The rest of the song is as amazing as the opening. Expect a show review from these kids soon. They're awesome!" Posted June 20th, 2008 by Mace from Ronatron.net. At the present time, Petroleum By-Product is moving into a more exciting direction. Just recently they've contributed interviews and music to the No Fun City Documentary (www.nofuncity.org), participated in the Music Waste Festival, and self-released their 12" record "Superficial Artificial".