PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
John Ferriter – Vocals/Guitar/Bass (JF): Initial feedback has been great. We released two CDs – “The Earle Mankey Sessions: Vol. IV” and “Vol. VII” in November of 2014. We were pleased to see both CDs end up on a few critics best of lists for 2014, even though the CDs had only been out a month. Rob Christie from Robo Records (a division of Universal) has been very kind to us and allowed us to release a single in November 2013 (“We’re All Gonna Drink Tonight” b/w “Baby Blue”), and then an EP in July of 2014 “Name That Tune” b/w “I Pray Guitar” and a remastered “Baby Blue”.
The Recording Process: There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
JF: Fin (John Finseth) Greg (Greg Brallier) and I started writing and recording a new batch of songs in December 2012 with long time collaborator and producer Earle Mankey. The result for about 55 songs that we recorded between December 2012 and November 2014. Once the juices started flowing we didn’t stop. Typical obstacles are always cost (we financed it) and time management, but Earle was such a great collaborator that he really made the process enjoyable.
Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?
JF: There is a wide range of material on both CDs and we really like it all. Certain songs stand out for different reasons, “Valerie” because I think Greg sang the hell out of it (it was also the first song we did in the sessions and “Stuck on Stupid”, the second song we recorded that Fin just nails. “James Bond” because we got Piers Morgan to do a cameo and named all but one of the Bond songs in it. “I Love My Life”, once again because of the message and because we got Dr Drew Pinsky to do a cameo. Love “Sucks to be You” (which is a self deprecating song about us and featured Don Peake from the Wrecking Crew and Actor/Comedian and Rapper Tom Green). “The Ballad of the Unsigned Band” is the story of the Tearaways and every other band we all played with and is really three songs in one. “We don’t talk we text” about the loss of personal contact, “Jefferson Still Survives” about the rivalry of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (his famous dying words) that shows that when rivals work together, you can make something great (The United States of America). “We’re All Gonna Drink Tonight”, “A Brand New Irish Lullaby” & “In Dublin” were all inspired by our experiences in Dublin, Ireland and many many pubs.
As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are your thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
JF: Yes, the music industry has been devastated, but a great song is a great song and there are lots of ways to get that material out there. We played on Arsenio Hall, Good Day LA, Good Day Chicago and the Brian Copeland Show on NBC, and in each case we found that people just want to hear good bands play great songs. You have to believe in yourself and your material and be willing to play it. TV will always break music.
Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?
JF: I will buy vinyl and cds because to me it is merch. I like holding it in my hands. I download because it is the quickest and easiest way to get the music. I still love seeing great artists perform live though and always will. There is something about someone just going out and putting it all on the line. Dealing with the Beat down of playing live and coming out on top. I love it.
We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them? Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
JF: The next project is done….Tentative Title is “The Earle Mankey Sessions: Vol. III” it is a full CD 11 songs – it features a song called “Much too old to feel this young” that is an anthem for anyone that has done this over twenty years. Also has “If I had it”, “Hello Isla Vista”, “Find another Fool” “I quit my job” “always forever long” and “That’s Rock” that all make me really smile. I can’t say enough about how great it is to work with Earle Mankey.
What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?
JF: We are finding that people relate to the songs. They like the lyrics, and love the vocals. Playing in a band with Fin & Greg, who have been singing together for thirty years, is pure joy. Playing with the Brothers Benenati is also great because they have a short hand, have each other’s backs, and they make it fun and easy for me. Dave Hekhouse who handles most of the lead guitar work and also sings, is great. I produced his former band “celebrity city” years ago and have always admired his work. Fin is a genius in the studio and has a gift of hearing sounds in my head and then making them come to life. it really is genius at work and play.
Okay – time for some light humor! Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us!
JF: This band has been around for thirty years in some form or another so there are too many stories to tell, but listen to “Ballad of the Unsigned Band” and you will get a sense of it. Years ago, the guys dug out the underneath of a house with forks and spoons to build a rehearsal and recording studio. They used garden tools and ice cream scoopers to dig. Really incredible what you can accomplish when you are motivated. Also playing the Cavern Liverpool for over ten years and surviving all of the pranks from Bill Heckle (the world’s greatest prankster). He once convinced Fin that Jesse had been arrested and got Fin down to the Police station at 4 a.m. to try to post bail.
Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
JF: Earle Mankey from Sparks. Joey Molland from Badfinger, Ron Dante from the Cufflinks & the Archies, Tony Burrows from Edison Lighthouse, Jeff Foskett from the Beach Boys. Don Peake from the Wrecking Crew. Kylie Hughes, a few others. Every guy in the band will have different answers for you.
Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)
JF: Once again, there are six of us in the band so you could get thirty answers here but: The Beatles, McCartney, Lennon, The Rolling Stones, The Bee Gees, Jefferson Airplane, Tom Petty, The Kinks, Oasis, The Knack, ELO, Cheap Trick etc. top five albums
The Beatles – Sgt Pepper
the Knack – Get the Knack
Rolling Stones – Green Grass High Tides etc. (greatest hits)
Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow
The Beatles – Hard Day’s Night
We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?
JF: Kylie Hughes “Calipopicana” is brilliant. Six amazing songs. Earle Mankey at the helm again. Beautiful girl, pure voice, amazing lyrics and production. Millie Courtney (13 year old from Liverpool). Taylor move over. That’s all I have to say. Deceptively Innocent a great band from Tucson. The Clash, meets the Ramones, with three singers. very cool group. Tommy & the High Pilots. Very cool group out of Santa Barbara. Love Sid Griffin’s new stuff.
Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’
JF: I run a Representation Production Company and produced the last Garth Brooks Special for CBS, the Arsenio Hall Show, LeAnn & Eddie, It Gets Better and I’m Positive to name a few shows.
Okay, last question: Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?
JF: Currently on iTunes and available on CDs from Robo Records, a division of Universal are:
“We’re All Gonna Drink Tonight”
“Name That Tune” EP
“Earle Mankey Sessions: Vol. IV”
“Earle Mankey Sessions: Vol. VII”
Web site: www.tearaways.com
