On Tuesday night, I got to witness The Joe Perry Project at L.A’s intimate Viper Room. In the wake of a disasterous year for Aerosmith, Joe has not only rushed out a new album, but he’s playing a handful of dates which now look likely to turn into a full tour. What’s more, he’s playing under the JPP moniker, which hasn’t happened since 1983. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.
The crowd was an interesting site in itself. There had clearly been a lot of pre-show lubrication of the tonsils, as peroxided tousle-haired Sunset Stripper refugees crashed around the room, mingling with the mostly forty something guy crowd. A couple of hammered blondes theatrically made out at the front of the stage just before the band came on, keeping the chaps rather alert and smiling. One of them had “I heart Joe F****n Perry” scrawled on her arm. And a brief tussle broke out when a respectable looking, big rather big guy started swaying, and fell into the crowd. O yes, Joe Perry was about to be in the house.
The Project graced the stage at about 9.45, opening with a strong rendition of Let The Music Do The Talking. A selection of tunes from the new album followed, to which the crowd responded warmly (by L.A. standards anyway!) despite the record just having been released that day. I think it’s interesting that there’s a song called No Surprise, but it’s not the track of the same title that was on Night in The Ruts. Perhaps Joe is having a nudge at his Aerosmith band mates, as Jimmy Crespo played on that song, rather than him? Anyway, the mighty East Coast West Coast followed and the audience lapped it up. It’s such a great song and truly deserved to be dusted off. Aerosmith numbers included a predictable Walk This Way, but a cool and groovy reggae version of Dream On. But the cut for me was undoubtedly the mighty Combination from the outstanding 1976 Rocks LP, still a personal favorite after all these years.
In fairness, it took a while for the band to generate a head of steam, but by the time it played Rockin’ Train from the first JPP release, the cylinders were firing. How many rock bands know how to play funk today? I can’t think of any at this moment, but back in the 70’s most of them would drop a funky track onto the vinyl. Maybe that’s it? Any fool can record a power chord and make it loud and powerful, irrespective of album format. But funky guitars sound soooo much better on a 33, than a CD or mp3. A little static and a wah-wah pedal goes a long way in my book.
The last song of the set was the Beatles’ Revolution. The band sounded great, but new vocalist, Hagen, struggled a little. It was the first time he’d had problems that night. On some songs he’d out-Tylered Tyler, reaching those shrill, bluesy screams with total ease. But the lower register didn’t suit him quite as well. Still, boy done good, and is clearly still in shock about being plucked from YouTube obscurity. Perhaps Joe is grooming him for what may be a new Aerosmith line-up? The swap-out of the singer certainly hasn’t done Journey any harm!
MVP award goes to bassist David Hull, the only former member of a JPP line-up other than the boss. I hate bass solos, but this guy is great – not overly technical – just pure feel and a wonderfully warm vintage amp sound.
No guest artists joined them onstage, which was a little disappointing since Slash and Tom Morello were in the house. I was lucky enough to see Jimmy Page on stage with Aerosmith at the Marquee in London many moons ago. They played Immigrant Song together and Joe sung Red House with the other JP playing heavy blues licks like none other, so this time I was all ready for some cool collaborations, but alas, they were none.
The band made a quick getaway after Revolution, and the lights were up. No encore. Come on Joe! How great would it have been to have heard Discount Dogs, No Substitute For Arrogance, Life At A Glance or South Station Blues? Or any number of deep Aerosmith cuts (Bright Light Fright anyone?) but hey, I’m not complaining!
The Project rocked, and Joe F****n Perry is still the coolest of the cool in my book, just as he was back in the day. Thank God some things in music never change.
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