20 Questions & Answers with:

Tim Perry
Well, here we are folks, our inaugural 20 Questions & Answers. For our first selection we chose a local Carbon County favorite, Tim Perry of: Becky & the Beasts, The Shellshocked Churchills, and Maury & Timmy. Tim Perry is from a talented family of musicians, father John playing country guitar, mother Eleanor playing piano, and brothers Jack playing guitar & Randy on keyboards. Tim Perry has continued on the legacy playing guitar for over 38 years, and with every performance he shines giving his every emotion. So, we were welcomed to the Perry homestead with a Tim Perry, arriving home from a long day of work, still in high spirits. After a couple of formalities, we got to business checking out some great gear, which youll see from the photos is quite an envious collection. Before the interview, we got a little show and tell of the home studio, which holds more treasures then most could afford in a small lifetime, and they are some serious doozies to include: oodles of gear, a gold 83 Gibson Les Paul, a Taylor 614 CE, a Martin 0016-GTE, a Dobro Resonator, a CF Martin IV autographed Martin HD28V, the workhorse Mesa Boogie Express 5:50, Mesa DC-5, a beefy Hughes & Kettner amp, multiple Marshall combo amps, keyboards, mics, and more. After pouring a little La Merika Pinot Noir we sat down in the second practice room, and the exuberant, always funny Mr. Perry and I talked about his accomplished career.

JPS - Timmy, Ive seen you with Becky and the Beasts and Maury and Timmy countless times, and every time you provide an amazing performance. Its a pleasure watching you play. I know music has been in your family for a long time, but could you tell us a little more about that? When did you start playing? TP I started playing when I was around 12 years old, and then it really turned on when I was 13. Prior to that I played trumpet, where I learned to read music and the basics of theory, but it was electric guitar that really got me. It had a lot to do with my Dad and my oldest brother, Jack, playing guitar.

JPS - What was your 1st guitar? TP A Harmony Rocket modeled after a Gibson 335, which was a hand-me-down I got from my older brother Jack when I was 12 years old. When I was 13, I got my Fender Stratocaster. I got the Stratocaster, by splitting the cost with my Mom and Dad for Christmas in 1976. JPS Is the Stratocaster the same guitar youre currently using? TP Yes, it cost $330 for that guitar, the case, and a Shure PE-57microphone back then. I love that guitar, its nickname is Butter because it plays as smooth as butter and the maple neck and bodys color is like butter. JPS- Getting back to the Harmony Rocket, do you still have it? TP- Yes JPS Do you ever use the Rocket? TP I havent played it in sometime, the neck is starting to cave in a little bit, and between the frets, there are some indents.

JPS - Timmy when I listen to you play I hear influences of Eric Clapton, has he been an influence to you? If so, what about his playing most resonates with you? Who else have you been influenced by? TP Absolutely! My older brother was a big Clapton fan. So of course, the little brother is going to like that same thing. I got introduced to a lot of music by my older brother. Going through his albums, I got turned on to the Allman Brothers, Jeff Becks group albums (laughs). I was probably the only kid in kindergarten listening to Cream. [an excited Tim Perry grabs his unopened, original pressing of Goodbye Cream vinyl] Id also have to say I was influenced by Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, the Southern Rock bands like Skynyrd, and the Outlaws, especially Hughie Thomasson, also, Jeff Skunk Baxter, and of course the B.B.

JPS This is a rib-poker type of question. Ive heard rumors that you werent much of a fan of Jimmy Page or Led Zeppelin, playing classic rock and the blues, Id have figured thatd be something you were into, is there any truth to this? If so, why? TP- Yeah, Im not a big Zeppelin fan. I never really was, but hey Ive listened to them. Again, going through my brothers albums, if youre in to guitar you like it. I like a lot of Zeppelin stuff, but Im not a huge fan, youd definitely catch me listening to Clapton or Beck before Pagey. I think a lot of it also has to do with not playing it because you couldnt find a Robert Plant type singer to sing that shit. (mutual laughs)

JPS - Getting back to your playing, what was the 1st song you learned? TP Wow! Jeez! (laughs) the first complete song? It would have to be a blues progression, probably a I-IV-V progression.

JPS - When did you 1st join a band? Did you play any gigs? Where was your 1st gig? Do you remember how much you guys made? TP Right away when I was 13. I had a band with two school mates Joey Hammond, the preachers son, who played drums and Gary Snyder, the local doctors son, who played keyboard. We played at church dances and functions, friends birthday parties. JPS But what about that 1st gig? Do you remember where exactly that was? TP Yeah, I think it was at St. Marks Church in Jim Thorpe for a youth group thing. In the Great Hall. JPS What was the name of the band? TP Im not sure I dont think I can remember. At the same time, my brothers also had the Perry Brothers Band, so I was always striving to keep up with my musical brothers. Randy the keyboard player is 7 years older than me, and Jack the guitar player is 9 years older. So, as soon as I could play rhythm, theyd be cool and let me in and let me back them up. JPS Now, Im assuming that 1st band, you guys were playing for the sake of playing. Do you remember the 1st time you got some type of compensation for playing? TP Well it wasnt with that band! (huge laughter) That one never got any paying gigs.

JPS A mutual friend mentioned you guys played for them at the Lehighton High School functions. What about those times, where were you at musically in that era of your music? TP Getting into high school, I started playing with some different kids, and one thing I learned from my older brother was to tap into the Palmerton area for bass players, because the school had a jazz band, which had drums and and bass. So, I hooked up with a real good bass player named Tom Stewart from Palmerton. We then found a keyboard player, Jimmy Markley from Lehighton, and also Toms drummer friend, Cordell Strohl. We played a lot of all night marathon dances and other functions at the school [Lehighton].

JPS - Timmy, I saw you guys (Becky & the Beasts) a long time ago, maybe around 1996, it was at Trainers Inn in Lehighton, I remember being very impressed. Then many years passed, and I caught you again after being out of the local area for some time. How did Becky and the Beasts come together? TP Years ago in the 70s, my brothers formed the Perry Brothers Band. We used to practice at a place across from the Zoo in Lansford, called The Club, at the same time another band, The Couser Band also practiced there. So, that became a community of for musicians, with lots of jam parties there. Thats how I met Jody Kennedy and Larry Choley, they played bass and drums for The Couser Band. After the Perry Brothers Band, I formed a band called Firewater with Terry McFadden, Sean McFaddens older brother, thats how I met Sean. After that dissolved, I moved to Massachusetts for 12 years. I played in a couple bands up there and also did some recording. I had one of my original songs named Firewater played on WBCNs (Bostons biggest radio station) Bay State rock program. The DJs commented about the wicked good guitar on the track. I moved back to PA and played in 2 bands, Me and My Uncle and Chester White for around two years each. Around then is when Becky and Sean started to get something going, so Seans brother Terry told him to give me a call. After getting together we started to talk about Jody and Larry, and how great it would be if they would come and play with us. We asked them and they did, and so the Beasts were born! And man, has it been fun ever since!

JPS So the core of the band has never changed? TP No, the only addition has been Darryl Seiwell on horns later.

JPS - Do you remember where B&B 1st played? TP Around 2000, if I had to guess, I would say where the Molly Maguires is now.

JPS - B&B is a regular fixture at Penns Peak, opening up for some big time acts, which of those experiences was the most exciting? TP For the Beasts? Or the Shellshocked Churchills? Because, the most hyped up I ever seen anybody up there was when the Shellshock Churchills opened for Alice Cooper, the place was charged. Also, with the Churchills, was when we opened for Blue Oyster Cult. Oh, and for Southside Johnny too. Actually, Ive opened up for him the most out of anybody, twice at Penns Peak, once at the Morristown Community Theatre, NJ, and once at the Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant, NJ. JPS Awesome! Two of my favorites, I love them both. Did you get a chance to meet the guys? TP Buck Dharma! Absolutely man. With the Beasts, Id have to say the Little River Band, the Guess Who, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

JPS - Getting back to the rig, what are you currently using? TP I use my 1976 Fender Stratocaster, 1947 DiPiero Bros Dobro lap steel, Mesa Boogie Express 5:50, and for my pedals a Boss DD-7 for delay JPS Have you made any adjustments to the Strat over the years? TP Playing out heavy, you would get around neon lights, and the single coil pickups would get noisy. So, I put some EMG noiseless pickups in, but found them to be real sterile. Shortly thereafter, Fender came out with their noiseless pickups, and they worked great, tone like the originals, just quiet. I also added a 5 position selector switch for the pickups, because in 76 they didnt have that yet, it was just 3way switch. If you wanted that in-between out of phase single coil sound you had to catch it in between the positions. JPS Tell us a little about the Dobro. TP The Dobro is a lap steel. I got into playing steel, because my dad played country music, its something he played. Then even more when Jackson Browns albums came out, after hearing David Lindley playing lap steel, I really got me into playing it, and then I really wanted one. I eventually said, You wanted one for 30 years. Well go get one! I held off, then finally I got one only recently, which I picked up at the Tinicum Guitar Barn, in Tinicum, PA. JPS Tell us a little about the amp. TP Amps like these Mesa Boogies are so deep. There is every sound under the sun in there. Like their product literature states, welcome to the tone farm !!!

JPS What are you looking for with your sound? TP Sparkling cleans, which you get with the Mesa Boogies, just that real clean sound. The dirt channels also that have sustain for days, where you could hold a note like Santana if you want. I really got into the Mesa Boogies; I talk about them as much as I can.

JPS - Timmy, you also have a great dynamic with Maury Rutch, playing both duos and as the Shellshock Churchills, how did you all meet? TP Maury! Hes my blood brother. Well, we met through the Trainers thing. Maury would play an open mic at Trainers Inn every Thursday. When I moved back from Massachusetts, Id go over there and sit in, and it kept going. We just became really close friends and musician friends. He is one of my best friends. JPS When do you think you started playing together? TP Around 97

JPS - Timmy, a lot of people in the Carbon County and Poconos area consider you to be one of the elite players, if not the best. How do you respond to that? What do you feel has helped you reach such a virtuosic level of playing? TP Well, I dont think Im a virtuoso, because there are a hell of a lot of great players out there. But, Im certainly flattered by peoples kind words, and Im always grateful and humble, because they could also say I suck or not say anything. Thats real special when people say that. Every time Im playing out I try to play the hardest I can. I try to make people see Im giving it my all. How I got there, when I was 13 up to around the age of 21, I played 3 to 4 hours a day. Id jam whenever I could, as much as I could. When my mom got me a pass to Jakes Gym, I went to jam instead. Its all about persistence.

JPS - Where are your favorite places to play? TP Well, downtown is our hometown bar, at the Molly Maguires, its all our family and friends, and stuff. Its the most favorite and most fun to play. Certainly, the Penns Peak deck parties are a lot of fun. But, as far as other places go, sadly there is no place to play anymore; its like the death of the rock club. I talk about this a lot with my oldest brother, and all my musician friends. Its a combination of the DUI Laws and the cost of having businesses with the overhead.

JPS - Who would you love to share a stage or jam with from the local area, all-time? TP Thats a tough one. Years ago when I was young my brother took me to the Hamburg Field House, there was a band playing there called Auburn. Certainly, if I was able and old enough back then Id have loved to play with them. There was a guy called Vince, who had a white Les Paul and a Marshall stack that was unbelievable. But, outside of that, a while back during Earth Day weekend I got a chance to jam with George Wesley, which was a lot of fun. Another highlight, all though not a local musician was when we were playing during Fall Foliage and I got to play with this French guy named Fifi (instant uproar laughter), I cant remember his last name, but he was the bass player in Billy Cobhams band, and he was absolutely incredible. He is what we call a cyborg musician, incredible inhuman type playing !!! JPS For me personally, Id love to see Tim Perry, Chris Davis, Eddie Bluestone, and Jimmy Supra just trading off licks with each other. I think peoples head would just blow off. TP That would be fun. All it takes is the right place to do it, and the organization to get it done. All the musicians would love it, and you know all the fans would love it.

JPS - Who would you love to share a stage with/jam with all musicians in history considered? TP Itd have to be Clapton of course, hes my favorite. Thatd be fun.

JPS - Finally, a fun one. Timmy, I know you love your classics, but do you like any of the contemporary artists or songs? TP (Laughing before the actual question comes out) Im sure there is, but unfortunately I dont get exposed to new music. Im forced to listen to radio syphilis on the way back and forth to work, and when Im at work I got my faced stuff into a computer, so when I get home the last thing I want to do is start streaming or snooping around for new music. So for me there is no way for me to get exposed to new music. Its to the point where I dont really know what is new. I need to be exposed to it. Id like to know how. I just need to spend more time I guess. JPS Is there a cure for the radio syphilis? TP I hope so. I do like Joe Bonamassa, but hes not exactly new. I met him down at Musikfest quite a few years back, he just got done playing, when he comes out and Im there grilling him with questions. I didnt realize how young he was, he was just looking at me, he looked more interested in eating his cheese fries, than fucking listen to my questions, you know? (Laughs all around) I was floored by him.

JPS Finally, tell us about the Bach & Handel Chorale you are a part of. TP This will be the 3rd year I get to play for my brother Randy, who is the Maestro of the Bach and Handel Chorale, he puts on quite a few concerts throughout the year. He hires union musicians from the Philadelphia and New York areas to play the strings, brass, wind wood, harpsichord and tympani, along with a 4 part chorale for classic baroque pieces, as well as original pieces he wrote. There are cantatas, oratorios, masses, these huge bodies of work; its incredible, he works very hard at it. He also likes to throw in modern pieces. This time around were going to do, The Long and Winding Road, by the Beatles, amongst others. Last years spring concert was very special because our Dad just passed away, and he wrote this unbelievable piece for him. I got to play on that, so I was extremely lucky he included me in that. Randy is planning again on doing the Chorale again this April 6th. If you are interested they are called the Bach and Handel Chorale, which are based in Jim Thorpe, and you can see their schedule at bhchorale.org Next year will mark the Bach and Handel Chorales 30th Anniversary. I am very proud of my brother. Randy is an incredible musician and composer, plus he has the biggest band around !!!