Mach Bell's Daily Rock Journal!
Sept 20th. On this date in Mach history...sunny travel day for me and the Joe Perry Project’82. Cruising down to southern FL...in 1975 Thundertrain is back-at-school, this time at Framingham MA State College ... Thundertrain’78: night #2 of a two-fisted gig supporting The Dictators at the Paradise Theater in Boston MA....in 1983 a beer company invites me to judge a“Miss Hot-Bod Contest” at Narcissus in Kenmore Sq. Co-judging w/me is Dougie Thomson, bassman from the band Supertramp. I have absolutely no recollection of how this cultural event turns out. But we probably had fun. (pic: Thundertrain photographed by Kathy Ellis)
Sept 19th. On this date in Mach Bell history... Thundertrain at Danvers MA High School today in 1975... I sing & do my maraca dance at ihe Rat in Kenmore Square in 1991 w/ the New Thundertrain. Today turns out to be the final time I perform at the Rat... in 1978 this night is really big in Boston at The Paradise. The Dictators finally come to town & Thundertrain opens both their shows. (pic: High-octane drummer Bobby Edwards, seen here with New Thundertrain ’91. Mach Bell Archive)
Sept 18th. On this date in Mach history... Atlanta GA: it’s 1982 and I’m with Hargrove, drummer Ronnie Stewart & the Joe Perry Project at a concert club called Rumors. We have rockstar Kim Simmonds and his band Savoy Brown opening tonite. Right after last nite’s show in Louisiana, in a cost-cutting move, we drove straight here to Atlanta from the swamps. Confused & sleep deprived I figure I might help my condition by getting roaring drunk before today’s soundcheck.. Doesn’t work....My pre-Thundertrain band Biggy Ratt performs tonite in 1973 at the Ararat teen center in Holliston MA. Apparently trying to earn money to buy myself a shirt..(pic: Bobby Edwards, me, Barnett Childress & Big Bill are Biggy Ratt. AnneMarie Martins Photo)
Sept 17th. On this date in Cowboy Mach history ....Thibodeaux LA: in 1982 the Joe Perry Project at The Spectrum deep in bayou country ... me & the Project also see action tonite in 1983 at the Oasis in Methuen MA where we test-out our new setlist. Our Always a Rocker Tour of USA and Canada is about to begin... Also today: in 1991 the Cowboy plays a rare solo acoustic set at Liam’s Irish Tavern on Rt. 9, Framingham MA. I spin my ribald tales & sing’ some salty tunes....Thundertrain’76 entertains today at Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport CT and we all pray. To be paid in full....finally, this afternoon in 1978 Thundertrain puts on an exhibition at a club-fest of Boston rockers at The Mad Hatter. For $5 ya get John Felice, David Champagne, Richee Johnson, Johnny Barnes, Billy Cole, Frank Rowe, Gary Shane, Barb Kitson, Alpo, Lee Ritter, David Minehan, Johnny Angel, “WBCN Celebrity Oedipus” plus me (Mach) & all the Thundertrain boys too. Have mercy. Gin&Tonics are 75 cents each. Hours later this same day we stumble down to Kenmore Sq. MA where Thundertrain headlines tonite at The Rat. The Rings open. (pic: Mad Hatter ad, soon this venue will become The Channel. Mach Bell Archives)
Sept. 16th. On this date in Mach Bell history... Lafayette LA: me and the Joe Perry Project’82 enjoy a few final hearty morning rounds of Hurricane Punch at Pat O’Briens in the French Quarter before resuming our first (for me & Hargrove) US tour. After our liquid breakfast we bushwhack thru swamps down to Slick’s Music Hall in Lafayette. Supporting Nazareth tonite. Love Hurts. So does my head .... also today: In 1978 Thundertrain raise hell tonite at The Rat in Boston (Hot Dates open)....in 1991 me & Bobby Edwards & New Thundertrain astound the Milford MA townies at Club 77. (pic:Thundertrain’s Provost Bros: Cool Gene and Ric. And me. Rocking tonite at the Rat. AnneMarie Martins Photo.)
Sept. 15th. On this date in Mach history ... Boston MA: in 1978 Thundertrain/ Neighborhoods start the party tonite at the Rat in Kenmore Square MA....in 1985 me & the Wild Bunch headline the Rat....in 1991 New Thundertrain motivates the Club 77, Milford MA....Today is the official release-day for the Joe Perry Project’s 1983 “Once a Rocker/Always a Rocker” album. Me & Joe Pet & Danny Hargrove & Joe Perry all parade down Memorial Drive to the Strawberries record store in Cambridge MA for an album-signing party. A mob turns out to say hi & purchase our record. WBCN & WCOZ pitch in w/ plenty of prime-time airplay. (pic: Ilse Anderson had the delicate job of road managing The Wild Bunch. Here we are in the Rat “dressing room” Photo courtesy of Ted Anderson)
Sept. 14th. On this date in Cowboy Mach history...New Orleans LA: in 1982 me & the Joe Perry Project tour have just enjoyed 2 days off in the French Quarter. Merrily enjoying all this city has to offer. After sampling gallons of Hurricane punches at Pat O’ Brien’s, we charge off to The Dungeon. This weird joint opens at 12 midnite. We need a special membership card to get in.. The crowd inside is doing weird stuff. Lurid NSFW activity is going on. The Project immediately feels right at home. Hours later, as dawn beckons, me & Hargrove go searching for our boss. We find the tipsy legend upstairs in the mini-disco. Dancing around in a drunken haze. A shameful sight. As we pry the Admiral away from the bar he trips & takes a headlong dive straight down the very steep stairwell. His big noggin makes loud contact as it smashes to the floor. Several bouncers each grab a limp limb’o’Joe & carry the blotto superstar back up Bourbon St. to our hotel.. Seventeen hours later the JPP rocks at Richie’s. This is me & Hargrove’s 50th concert w/ the Project....In 1981 me and the magnetic Mag 4 are shakin’ at the Rat in Kenmore Sq. MA (Metropolis opens).... in 1991 New Thundertrain is in Milford MA at Club 77....in 1978 Thundertrain is playing our local radio hit “CounterAttack” at the Rat, the Neighborhoods open. (pic: the Project enjoys Hurricanes today at Pat O’Briens. Ron Stewart, Cowboy, Joe, sound-tech Jay, road-manager Doc and Danny Hargrove.. Mach Bell Archive)
Sept. 12th. On this date in Mach Bell history....1975: Wrentham MA, in the shadow of Schaefer Stadium Thundertrain roars at our home-away-from-home the Stadium Motor Inn.... in 1976 I’m still in the doghouse after the cutie-pie incident. Wailing all nite w/ Thundertrain at the Crackerbarrel in Portsmouth NH... Thundertrain’78 headlines a late summer bill at the Rat in Kenmore Sq. MA Opening for us is a new band called The Neighborhoods. (pic: WBCN’s Oedipus took this famous shot of Thundertrain. Cool Gene is holding the nuclear warhead that we toted around. The model in the middle is Nani Provost.)
Sept. 12th. On this date in Mach Bell history....1975: Wrentham MA, in the shadow of Schaefer Stadium Thundertrain roars at our home-away-from-home the Stadium Motor Inn.... in 1976 I’m still in the doghouse after the cutie-pie incident. Wailing all nite w/ Thundertrain at the Crackerbarrel in Portsmouth NH... Thundertrain’78 headlines a late summer bill at the Rat in Kenmore Sq. MA Opening for us is a new band called The Neighborhoods. (pic: WBCN’s Oedipus took this famous shot of Thundertrain. Cool Gene is holding the nuclear warhead that we toted around. The model in the middle is Nani Provost.)
Sept. 11th. On this date in Mach Bell history...Wichita Falls TX: in 1982 me & the Joe Perry Project let loose at an epic, loud, late summer outdoor festival at the Pleasant Valley Speedway. We’re on a bill with Point Blank and Steppenwolf. Huge show for me because John Kay is the balls....on this date in 1976 I front Thundertrain at the Crackerbarrel in Portsmouth NH. I have a big bump on my head and nobody likes me very much after my hi-jinks yesterday.(pic: Once again, by popular demand, here is today’s letter from the folks at Holiday Inn. Mach Bell Archive)
Sept. 10th. On this date in Mach Bell history...an embarrassing & painful day in Cowboy history. Really no need for any of you to read further. Okay. Since we have no work on this late summer date in 1976 I decide to invite the local cutie-pie to spend the day w /me down at the beach. Minutes after we head out, the phone back at the Thundertrain Mansion rings. It’s our agent Frank Borsa. A last minute booking. My band guys try to locate me. No use. They call my girlfriend. She doesn’t know where I am either. The crew begins packing up the equipment truck. Meanwhile, out on the beach, me & cutie-pie are laughing & listening to the radio when suddenly the afternoon DJ on WBCN cuts in to say “Mach Bell phone home”. By the time I get back to the Mansion, the truck & band have left. My not-amused girlfriend has already figured out what I‘ve been up to. She meets me at the door with a frying pan and gives me the full-treatment. And how. So, today in 1976 - 80% of Thundertrain rocks the Crackerbarrel in Portsmouth NH. I miss the gig & my head aches to boot. Guilty or innocent? You be the judge. (pic: Joe Perry born today in 1950. Mach Bell Archive)
Sept. 9th. On this date in Mach Bell history...in 2005 I’m rollin’n’rockin’ with Mach 5, singing at the Lucky Dog Music Hall in Worcester MA.....in 1978, Thundertrain heads back to the beach, wrapping up a weekend engagement at the Ranch House in Green Harbor, Marshfield MA.(pic: another happy Mach 5 band-meeting. Mach Bell Archive)
Sept. 8th. On this date in Mach Bell history.... I perform tonite in 2007 at Bank of America Pavillion, Boston MA w/ the Bleu Choir (opening for Guster) ... Joe Perry Project’82 are held-over for a second night at Cardi’s in Austin Texas.... on this late summer day in 1978 Thundertrain & our soundman Jon Read damage eardrums at the Ranch House in seaside Marshfield MA... me and Bag O’ Nails entertain today in 2012 at the Log Cabin IV Festival in Ashland MA.(pic: Maracas Sacrifice at Log Cabin IV. Photo by Andy Bell)
Sept. 7th. On this date in Mach Bell history.....Austin TX: Joe Perry Project’82 draws a good-mob of Texans to Cardi’s. They like us... In 1981 the mighty Mag 4 take a rocket to the planet M.A.G. at the Rat in Kenmore Sq. (w/ Bad Habits) .... in 1984 my JPP sidekick Danny Hargrove & I are fronting The Wild Bunch. We rev up a full house tonite for The Fools at the Channel in Boston MA.(pic: Mr. Hargrove sent me this one of us jamming in Texas tonite)
Sept. 6th. On this date in Mach Bell history...Dallas TX: on this moonlit nite in 1982 Cowboy Mach is riding tall in the saddle down in the lone star state. Singin’ shaking maracas and blowin’ harp w/ Joe Perry Project at the Agora Ballroom..... in 1981 I’m singing & playing guitar w/ the magnificent Mag 4 at Jack’s on Mass Ave in Cambridge (pic: Thanks to Heather Blair for sharing her snapshot of the Project in Dallas today)
Sept. 5th. On this date in Mach Bell history,... Cleveland OH: late wake-up call at Swingo’s. After breakfast Thundertrain’78 & our management team Earthquake Morton & Allen Kaufman visit Kid Leo at WMMS to promote our show tonite at the Agora Ballroom. Van Halen invited Thundertrain to open for them based on our single “Hot For Teacher!” We play an untoppable set but VH cancels out at the last minute. Roadmaster fills in for the LA no-shows... Thundertrain’75 thunders at Lowell State MA University ....Thundertrain’76 glory-stomping at the Rathskellar in Kenmore Sq MA w/ Buck. (pic: me, Bobby and Steven at the Rathskellar tonite in 1976. Photo by Lynn Ciulla)
Sept 4th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Singing at the Wang Center (aka Music Hall, Citi Center) on Tremont St, Boston MA It’s the Boston Music Awards ’03 and I’m performing w/ the Bleu Choir... fronting Thundertrain tonite in 1976 at the Rathskellar (soon to be renamed the Rat) in Kenmore Sq. MA. With us are DMZ ....Thundertrain’78 is on the road today. Cruising to Cleveland OH for a show tomorrow at the Agora Ballroom....Fort Worth TX: I have today in 1982 off. A young JPP fan brings me out to the Six Flags Over Texas theme-park in nearby Arlington where I am unfortunately dared into riding the brand new“Texas Cliffhanger” (later called the “Wildcatter”) The ride is pretty simple. Enter an elevator. Slowly rise up the 10-story tall shaft. Elevator-car stops at the top. Cable is released. Riders freefall, plummetting back down the elevator-shaft to the ground. No more thrill-rides for this Cowboy. (pic: Happily, the attraction was imploded and demolished in October 2007. http://www.youtube.com/
Sept. 3rd. On this day in Mach Bell history....Fort Worth TX: I am pretty excited to play at Will Rogers Auditorium tonite in 1982 w/ the JP Project. Anytime I get to play a venue where Hendrix appeared it’s very cool....of course I am also pretty excited to play the Rathskellar, Boston MA tonite in 1976 w/ Thundertrain. DMZ shares the bill and this Kenmore Sq. scene is really starting to heat up. ... Editors Note: This marks the 365th installment of my daily history. Still discovering stuff in the vaults, plus fresh finds submitted by you guys. So let’s all rock ahead. Thanks a lot for readin’ my page. IBBY(pic: Tonite in Texas. Mach Bell Archive)
Sept.1st. On this day in Mach Bell history... Happy Birthday to drummer Bobby Edwards born today in 1955.. .Joe Perry Project ‘82 headlines a free summer love bash tonite at the massive Pan American Center in Las Cruces NM: We have a little party afterwards....Mag 4 rocks proud & loud today in 1981 at Timothy’s Too in Framingham MA...Thundertrain are cool beans at the Webb Brook today in 1978 up in Billerica MA.(pic: Bobby Edwards, my brother in music and the pride of Medway MA USA. Drummer and occasional singer with Thundertrain, the Hits, Mag 4, Biggy Ratt and many others. Go Bobby, Go.)
Aug 31st, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Las Cruces NM: East we ride, wanted dead or alive. The Joe Perry Project ‘82 tour anchors in this sagebrush city in time for tomorrow’s huge free summer concert. We crash at the Holiday Inn...Mag 4 rocks the Rat, Boston MA yet again tonite in ‘81...Thundertrain’78 is bubbling-under at the Webb Brook in Billerica MA this evening.... me & Last Man Standing entertain at a lavish private party in Wrentham MA today in 2003. (pic: drummer Jon Gutlon, bassman Aart Knyff, me & Dave Zolla. Last Man Standing photo by Mike Lovett )
Aug 30th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Tuscon AZ: another travel day for the JP Project (sans JP who is back in Hollywood)) today in 1982. We make it as far as Old Pueblo & crash the Sand Man Inn.... the merry Mag 4 headline The Rat in Boston MA tonite in 1981 (pic: Mag 4 Mania. Photo by TGS Intense)
Aug 29th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history ... Thundertrain’76 raises Hell Tonite tonite at Lakeview Ballroom in Mendon MA ...the 1982 Project tour has a few off-days before our next scheduled concert in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Joe & road manager Doc take off somewhere. Bassman Danny Hargrove, drummer Ron Stewart & me (the Cowboy) hit the road w/ soundman Jay at the wheel. Tonite we stay at Holiday Inn West Covina CA & we all visit w/ Jay’s sister Cathy, who cooks us dinner. (pic: hypnotizing the crowd at Lakeview before Jon sets off the flash bombs. Photos by Mary Johnson and Lynn Ciulla)
Aug 28th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... San Francisco CA: spend the day in ‘82 looking thru stores on Telegraph Ave. Find a cool jacket. Hook up w/ the band & perform my 42nd JPP show tonite at the Keystone in Palo Alto CA. (pic: Letting the Music Do the Talking. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 27th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history ..San Francisco CA:. the Joe Perry Project’82 tour (w/ drummer Ron Stewart) books into the Holiday Inn Downtown and plays to anøther packed house at the Keystone (aka the Stone) in North Beach. Joe is super-popular here on the West Coast, the locals love him, but these crowds we’re seeing are full of displaced New Englanders too... the Project’83 (w/ celebrity drummer Joe Pet) feels the heat at JB Rock 3 in Middletown NY.(pic: nobody can stop the Dancing Machine. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 26th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Berkeley CA: last nite we ended up crashing at the Best Western near People’s Park and UC Berkeley. Joe Perry Project’82 is booked to play the Keystone tonite. There are 3 Keystone venues up here and we’ll hit all of them. Later at the gig, the Admiral meets a very nice, very young lady named Kerstyn. When we leave the Keystone she hops into our van & stays by his side for most of the next year.(pic: some guys from Motley Crue are here to watch us play tonite. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 25th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... Joe Perry Project’82 is cruising north on the 5 today having finished our SoCal dates. Spending the afternoon speeding 400 miles up to San Francisco. Tomorrow we begin a bunch of Bay area shows.(pic: More press generated by Thundertrain’s 2003 reunion tour. Photos top to bottom by Kathy Ellis, AnneMarie Martins and Mike Lovett.)
Aug 24th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history ... Huntington Beach CA: .me & the Project’82 at the Golden Bear across from the surfing Pier. 2 big shows w/ Vanilla Fudge/Jeff Beck-voc/bassman Tim Bogert opening....the majestic Mag 4 headline the Rat, Kenmore Square MA tonite in 1981 w/ the Detonators supporting.... in 1984 it’s been about 7 years since Thundertrain'77 opened for the Runaways at the Rat. Tonite me & the Wild Bunch are back at the Rat supporting Runaways lead-guitarist Lita Ford. Thundertrain drummer Bobby Edwards sits in tonite so it’s an extra hot set. Lita is amazing as usual.... Thundertrain Reunion ’03 conclurdes tonite in the town I grew up in Holliston MA. British Yankees warm up the crowd and radio-star/ author Carter Alan welcomes us to the stage. We blastoff one last time at VFW Post #8507. After saying our farewells my TT band-mates jet back to their homes on the Gulf of Mexico.(pic: The Bear is another amazing rock venue now long gone. Danny Hargrove gets mighty-tone here using S.I.R gear we rented for the West Coast
dates..Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 23rd. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history, Huntington Beach CA: not enough room here to tell what really happens to Joe Perry and me today in ‘82.
Our rental van breaks down (twice) heading to our beach gig, so Joe & I decide to get out and hitch-hike on the California freeway. Many, many hours later we finally make it to the Pacific shore. One of my more surreal adventures, ask me about it next time you see me sitting at the bar. ...Thundertrain bassman Ric Provost and I leave the AmeriSuites Hotel in Medford early today in 2003 for a live interview on Alex Piande’s WMFO “Coffee & Smokes” show. Then it’s off to Cambridge MA for tonite’s Thundertrain Reunion show at TT the Bears. We perform tonite along w/ Unnatural Axe and Dead Boy Cheetah Chrome. (pic: Then & Now-Thundertrain’78 and in 2003 tonite at TT’s. Steven Silva’s Les Paul guitar hasn’t changed very much. Mike Lovett Photo)
Aug. 22nd, On this day in Mach Bell history...Los Angeles CA: me & the Joe Perry Project’82 are held-over at the Country Club in Reseda for an extra performance in the Valley of the Dolls.....the Thundertrain Reunion Tour’03 packs the intimate Midway in Jamaica Plain MA (pic: i took this snapshot of the back of Joe’s head as we drive thru LA to today’s show, the Admiral always rides shotgun. Onstage tonite, photo by Marc S. Canter)
Aug 21st, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... Joe Perry Project’83 back to the races at Westboro Speedway MA on Route 9 for me’n’Hargrove’s 140th Project concert....the JPP hits Los Angeles County hard tonite in 1982 with the first of 2 sold-out shows at the Country Club in Reseda CA....the mighty Mag 4 (Bobby Edwards, Ric Provost & Cowboy Mach)
Aug 20th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history...Joe Perry Project’82 has a vivid day off in Van Nuys CA at the Holiday Inn....Thundertrain’76 ruffles feathers at The Nest in Mattapoisett MA ... Thundertrain live up to our name at Jarrod’s Place, Attleboro MA tonite on the 2003 Reunion Tour. Brilliant Jodee Frawlee & her Starr Faithfull share the stage w/us again. (pic: Thundertrain’03- back in the headlines. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 19th. On this day in Mach Bell history ...... Joe Perry Project’82 (w/ Ron Stewart on drums) at Logan BOS boarding American Airlines flight #199 jetting straight to San Diego CA. We’re met by an enthusiastic Cali crowd at tonite’s gig at the Bacchanal... Project’83 (w/ Joe Pet drumming) tonite in Rochester NY at the Penny Arcade.... in 2003 the first ever Thundertrain Reunion kicks-off in Worcester MA. We follow the Stones 1981 strategy, doing the first show at the Lucky Dog (formerly Sir Morgan’s Cove). Starr Faithfull heats up the crowd for us. (pic: Tour posters designed by John Visnaskas)
Aug. 18th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Scotia NY: Joe Perry Project’83 play a good one tonite at Skyway. Near Schenectady, this venue reminds me of the original Cricket in Ashland MA, a renovated bowling alley. After the triumphant show we party like rockstars at the L+M Motel....JP Project’82 road-crew is in Los Angeles CA renting a van, a truck and a backline at S.I.R. We play San Diego tomorrow....Thundertrain Reunion Tour‘03 rehearses with our original sound-engineer Jon Read at the controls in Lowell MA for upcoming shows. Drummer Bobby Edwards is not available for this tour. (pic: We have Bobby’s close friend Jeff“Fedge”Bishop (see May 15th) filling in on the big Ludwig kit. Photo by Mike Lovett)
Aug.16th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Born today in 1958 bassman/vocalist Danny Hargrove. Shout-out to Hargrove. In 1982 Dan is spending his special day racing thru Ohio in the ol’Dodge maxi-van. We’re all speeding back up to Boston to prepare for our first West Coast tour-dates with the Project... Joe Perry Project’83 celebrates Danny’s b-day sitting for promo pics at rock-photog Ron Pownall’s Cambridge MA studio. Where’s the cake’n’ice cream?(pic: My partner in rock’n’rhyme Daniel Crawford Hargrove with his classic Gibson Les Paul bass guitar. Courtesy of VH1 )
Aug. 15th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history ...Taylor MI: Fronting at the Sheridan Center w/ Joe Perry Project tonite in 1982...Wild Bunch’85 w/Velocity (Bobby Edwards & Johnny Press) today at JJ Flash in the Fenway, Boston MA.. (pic: SummerFest ‘83 at New England Dragway is front-page news this morning. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 14th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history ....Columbus OH: it’s 1982, me & the Project headline the Agora Ballroom ....Epping NH: Joe Perry Project performs at a festival today in 1983 at New England Dragway. Opening the set with our amped-up version of the ol' NE Dragway radio ads that continually played on AM radio during the mid-60’s. “SUNDAY - Sunday! See the SuperGasser with his Road-hog! Fire-breathing mods, rods and fuel-injected funny cars!...Sunday- SUNDAY!”....me & The Wild Bunch gig tonite in ‘85 at Celebration (formerly K-k-k-Katy’s) in Kenmore Sq. MA ...mighty Mag 4 are in Somerville MA today in 81 opening for the Jon Butcher Axis (pic: “Sunday - SUNDAY at New England Dragway Epping New Hampshire - SUNDAY!” Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 13th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history ... Southbend IN: I sing at this big outdoor festival today in '82 at St. Patrick’s Pavillion. JPP opens for Marshall Tucker Band....remember when I told you how Thundertrain got screwed out of a week’s pay by the owner of the Sunnyside nightclub in 1976? Well today we’re in court. A fair Judge in Ipswich MA orders the bum to pay up...Mach 5 tonite in 2005, Dodge St. Grille in spooky Salem MA...Thundertrain wraps up a week in ‘78 at Riot Alley in Lenox MA. Walking outside I climb up onto the adjoining Music Inn outdoor stage (home to Allman Bros, Kinks, Springsteen etc.). A worker way-back in the field yells up to me “you’ll never make it.” Hope that same worker is here in Southbend IN today watching as I rock with Joe Perry in front of 10,000. (Pic:The Admiral performs Red House. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug.12th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... Detroit MI: Joe Perry Project spends off-day visiting our new booking agency DMA & then van over to a Drive-in movie by the shore of Lake Ontario. Double-feature tonite in ‘82 is Bladerunner and Poltergeist.... Thundertrain attempts water-skiing at a lake in the Berkshires today in 1978. Cool Gene & Mick the Tick are good at it. Then we hustle over to Riot Alley in Lenox MA to play for a hot crowd. (pic: here’s a never-before-seen photo of Thundertrain on the roof of the Rat, Kenmore Sq. in‘78. Side-view of the Citgo sign over Cool Gene’s shoulder on the right. Photo by AnneMarie Martins)
Aug. 10th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history ... Mach 5 broadcasts live today-but first... Joe Perry Project departs Cambridge Music Complex at 8 am today in 1982 for 1st US tour, starting in Detroit MI tomorrow nite. Cruise as far as Ashtabula OH, enjoy the bar & the beds at the Holiday Inn....me & Mag 4 top-line the Rat in Boston MA today in 1981...Thundertrain is out in Lenox MA tonite in 1978, packing Riot Alley nightclub behind the famous Music Inn outdoor stage...Thundertrain completes a glittering week in Newport RI at Bourbon Street tonite in 1975....WMFO hosts me & Mach 5 today in 2005 for a live-concert-broadcast & interview. We do songs from our new album & share rude tales. (pic: rare & valuable bootleg album courtesy of the rare & valuable John Visnaskas)
Aug. 9th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... Thundertrain evicted today in 1974 from Jack’s Drum Shop in Boston due to excessive noise complaints. Bassman Ric makes a deal with Fran, manager at the Cricket Lounge & then hires a shady character who trucks our fledging enterprise over to Ashland MA. We set up in the club’s backroom & commence blasting.... Thundertrain Are Go in 1975, playing 5 sets nitely for the tourists at Bourbon Street, Newport RI.(pic: earliest Thundertrain pic, on the tracks behind the Cricket in ‘74. Michael Pirella Photo)
Aug. 7th On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...Thundertrain all week at Bourbon Street in Newport RI. It’s 1975 and the band Lovelace is playing a bar a few doors-up. During breaks I roam over there to watch. Their drummer Mike Bendinelli and I get to rock together in Bag O’Nails 4 decades later. (pic: Mary Johnson snaps Bobby Edwards beating his big Ludwig kit in Bourne MA, ‘75)
Aug. 3rd. On this day in Cowboy Mach history ... in 1978 Thundertrain is at Triton Productions in Brighton MA working on a new demo for Aktive Management this afternoon. Following the session we cruise up to Peabody MA where a hopped-up biker gang is waiting for Thundertrain to kick-out-the-jams at the Summit... Mag 4 return to the Rat, Kenmore Sq. MA (w/ Spike) for 2 hot shows tonite in 1981. (pic: Thundertrain’s Provost Bros. Cool Gene & Ric. Photo by Lynn Ciulla)
Aug 2nd, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... Another Thundertrain record released today in 1977. This was the very first US vinyl appearance by the Sex Pistols. (pic: JEM Records distributed Thundertrain’s Teenage Suicide lp in the USA. Look at the other bands we are teamed with on this compilation disc. Mach Bell Archive)
Aug 1st, On this day in Cowboy Mach history ...me & Hargrove & our Wild Bunch are up in Manchester NH today in ‘85 at The Casbah opening for the great rock trio Mama’s Boys from County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland...the marvelous Mag 4 headlinie The Rat, Boston tonite in 1981...Thundertrain kicks-off the month of August ‘75 w/ an outdoor show at Memorial Park in Mansfield MA. Apogee opens...and in 1976 Thundertrain goes animal, rocking in front of a dairy barn at What-Not-Farm in Easton MA (pic: Thundertrain’s Bobby Edwards & Cool Gene Provost always ready for earthmoving. Lynn Ciulla Photo)
July 31st. On this day in Mach Bell history ... new issue of Rolling Stone is out today in 2003 with a review of Thundertrain’s Teenage Suicide cd. The album (originally from 1977) is selling again so I start talking with my former band-mates about the possibility of them jetting up to MA for a reunion show... me and Hargrove have our new Wild Bunch line-up (w/ Ted Anderson & Hirsh Gardner) cranking at the Rat in Boston MA tonite in 1985. (pic: Not easy for a band to get noticed by this mag. A tip o’ the hat to David Fricke, Senior Editor at RS. Mach Bell Archives)
July 29th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ..me and Thundertrain pack The Rat, Boston MA again today in 1977 and finish-off a hot 3 niter (w/ Sass) across the river in Cambridge MA tonite in 1978 at The Club...the film crew is shooting some final close-ups of the Joe Perry Project for our MTV music video today at the Strand Theater, Dorchester MA in 1983. (pic: Wrapping-up filming for our Black Velvet Pants video today. This humble clip still gets played everyweek on channels like VH1 Classics, europe’s SKY and even YouTube. Mach Bell Archive)
July 28th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...Thundertrain glory-stomps at the Rat in Kenmore Sq. MA tonite in 1977 & we pack the Club, Cambridge MA today in ‘78...in 1985 The Wild Bunch play an all-ages show today at The Casbah in Manchester MA....me & Danny Hargrove & the JP Project invite 200 of our best friends to shoot crowd scenes at the Strand Theater tonite in 1983, (pic: filming pink saxaphone and crowd scenes today. Were you there?).
July 26th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history...in 1983 the Joe Perry Project crew arrive in Dorchester MA to set the stage of the Strand Theater for our “Black Velvet Pants” video-shoot. Band arrives at 8pm to meet w/film crew & run-thru the song for the director...New Thundertrain entertained in Milford MA tonite in 1991 at Club 77. (pic: JPP lighting-director Woody Bavota is ready to roll. The kid is our merch-guy/roadie Sean, son of the man who ran Northern Recording Studios. Mach Bell Archive)
July 25th On this day in Cowboy Mach history ...Thundertrain arrives at Bill Riseman’s Northern Studio, Maynard MA today in 1975 to record for the very firsttime. The resulting tracks “I’m So Excited” and “Cindy is a Sleeper” are successfully released on a United National Records single & decades later they show up on Gulcher Records“Teenage Suicide” 2003 cd re-issue...Thundertrain spends the day in 1978 recording new sides at Triton Productions in Brighton MA...me & the Joe Perry Project are allowed a day-off today in 1982. I spend the day in bed at the Oakcliff Holiday Inn in Toronto Canada. (pic: Part of the 4-page story-board I sketched in July ‘83 for a music video the Project will begin shooting tomorrow. The director ended up following my drawings amazingly closely. Mach Bell Archive)
July 24th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...me & the Joe Perry Project are back at Logan airport where we board a jet to Ontario Canada. Tonite in 1982 we play an outdoor festival near Toronto at Courtcliff Park along w/ Leslie West & Mountain & a bunch more. The Project & our crew have performed 3 concerts in 3 countries in the past 3 days ....The Wild Bunch play Celebration in Kenmore Square MA (Glass Dragon opens) tonite in 1985. There was power failure during our set & our band-bus breaks-down after the show...I‘m singing at the PACC Hall in Gardner MA w/ Thundertrain today in 1976 and in 1978 TT is back at Triton Productions in Brighton MA working on more new songs. (pic: just what I needed after the past 72 hours of non-stop travel, 12 hours of rock...Mach Bell
July 21. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...me & Danny Hargrove & Ron Stewart & the Joe Perry Project back for nite #2 at El Poliedro Arena, Caracas Venezuela in 1982. Going on before us, Canadian band Wrabit got pelted by some bottles the first nite, raising concerns from me, the small singer, but Joe has South America eating out of his hand. Interestingly the fans, 20,000 strong, are segregated by gender - a heavy rope runs down the center of the geodesic-domed venue, women on one side, men the other. Heavily armed military-guards make a few strategic shows-of-force, swooping down en mass & and dispersing the fans underneath the stands. But nothing stops our indoor crowd from building bonfires, forming human pyramids & blanket-tossing each other high into the air while we rock our boney-asses off...the first edition of Danny & my Wild Bunch play the Mohawk in Shirley MA today in 1984...Mag 4 mixes-down our premiere release“Mag 4 Go Monte Carlo” today in ‘81 at Sanctuary Recording in Westford MA...and Thundertrain rocks Braintree MA in 1978 at John Barleycorn’s. (pic: JPP in Caracas Venezuela, btw all four band-members are left-handed. Mach Bell Archive)
July 20th, On this day in Mach Bell history .. the Joe Perry Project is escorted via a fleet of Mercedes into Caracas,Venezuela in 1982. We headline a 2-nite
engagement at the 20,000 capacity El Poliedro Arena tonite for promoters Adri Shows. But first, Joe & I are interviewed by deejay Ivan at Radio Capitol, where Joe Perry music is being broadcast non-stop. Last nite we were honored at a press cocktail party where I befriend MaryBella, host of the country’s #1 morning TV show “Beunos Dias Venezuela”. The Project is staying in the downtown Anauco Hilton towers and Adriana is in charge of band hospitality. Gac galore....In 1976 a seminal event in Boston rock takes place tonite. The “Hit er Wid De Axe BoomLand Benefit" held at The Club in Cambdridge MA. Thundertrain, the Atlantics, DMZ, Marc Thor, Third Rail, Fox Pass plus personality Oedipus, James Isaacs (Cellars By Starlight/Boton Phoenix) & Maxanne (WBCN) & a sell-out crowd jointly raise enough cash to release Willie Alexander’s new 45... me & Thundertrain see plenty of other action today too: 1978, John Barleycorn’s, Braintree MA....1975, The Way Station Bourne MA....1977: The Rat, Kenmore Square MA. (pic: on the stage of The Club. Radio personalities Oedipus, Maxanne Sartori and me the Cowboy. Lynn Ciulla Photo)
July 19th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history ..in 1982 the Joe Perry Project leave Logan Airport, fly Eastern shuttle to La Guardia, ride to JFK, NYC & board Viasa flight 801 bound for South America....the Regent Theater in Arlington MA hosts a huge “Live at the Rat” reunion show tonite in 2003. I sing lead for the “Rat All-Stars” w/ a line-up that includes ace guitarists Asa Brebner & Billy Loosigian....Thundertrain begins a residency at John Barleycorn’s in Braintree MA tonite in 1978 & we continue our blockbuster 1975 week in Bourne MA at the Way Station. (pic: After touching down in South America, me & the Admiral & operations-man Felipe Rodriguez scope out el arena we perform at tomorrow. Mach Bell Archive)
July 16th, On this day in Mach Bell history ..the Thundertrain Reunion ‘04 ricochets back to Boston & plays the packed Midway, Jamaica Plain MA w/ Classic Ruins plus a jaw-dropping rare-appearance by the Afrika Korps...Cape Cod ‘75 is home to Thundertrain today, a call-back to the Way Station in Bourne MA...and I can’t forget tonite in 1977 at Harvey’s in Millis MA Thundertrain rules.(pic: bassman Ric Provost, Cowboy & Steven Silva tonite in Jamaica Plain. Eric Law Photo)
July 8th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...me & Joe Perry Project played Boston today in 1982 at the Channel. This was Hargrove & my first Boston appearance (and 20th show) since joining the Project nearly 6 months ago. Joe’s illness had slowed things down out-of-the-gate but that was all about to change...I met club-owner Jim Harold for the first time tonite in 1975 at a Thundertrain gig in Lowell MA at Three Coppermen. Mr. Harold told me that he had recently taken over a joint called the Rathskellar in Boston. We’d already played a couple nights at that non-descript club back in 74. Jim invited Thundertrain to comeback & try another week-end there... additionally, Thundertrain played at the Rat, Boston MA tonite in 1978, the Outpost, Derry NH tonite in ‘77 and the Nest, Mattapoisett MA today in ‘76. (pic: Any guesses on what stage this is? Lynn Ciulla Photo)
July 7th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ..Thundertrain and the Romantics were pulling big crowds tonite in ‘78 to the Rat in Kenmore Square MA...today in‘77 Thundertrain attracted mosquitos in Derry, NH at the aptly-named Outpost..and in 1976 Thundertrain flew back to The Nest in Mattapoisett MA. (pic: Drummer Bobby relaxes on the side-terrace of the Thundertrain Mansion before tonite’s show. Photo by Lynn Ciulla)
July 2nd, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...in 1983 Joe Perry put finishing touches on the "Once a Rocker/Always a Rocker" album in Carlisle MA at Blue Jay Recording ...and in 1982 the Project (who had been side-lined for the past 2 months after the Admiral’s seizure in North Carolina) had resumed rehearsing at the Cambridge MA Music Complex, getting ready to return to action. ..Thundertrain & Reckless played in Scituate MA tonite in 1978 in the ballroom of the Dreamworld mansion....in 1977 Thundertrain headed north to Berlin NH for another gig at the Notre Dame Arena. I used to enjoy singing while swinging from the rafters in that place. (pic: in 1977 Thundertrain & crew got our kicks rocking out at Preston’s Airport Lounge tonite on Nantucket Island MA. Photo by Lynn Ciulla)
Jun 29th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history .. in 2012 singing w/ Bag O’Nails on a bill w/ Theory 13 at the Colosseum in Providence RI... in 2003 I’m in the Bleu choir again, this time at the Paradise in Boston MA... in 1984 the Wild Bunch debut in Salisbury Beach MA at Frolics...in 1983 Joe Perry Project back to work at Blue Jay Studio, Carlisle MA mixing down the Once a Rocker album... in 1975 Thundertrain stars tonite at the Pizza Pub in New Bedford MA.... and in1976:Thundertrain supports the gooba-gooba man James Montgomery in Mendon MA at Lakeview Ballroom (pic: Wild Bunch world premiere at Frolics tonite.)
June 28th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history .. in 1975 Thundertrain recorded for the first time this afternoon at Northern Studio in Maynard MA. The session resulted in a single: “I’m So Excited b/w Cindy is a Sleeper” on the mighty United National label...in 1985 the Wild Bunch are at J.J. Flash, Boston MA w/ the Black Jacks....Thundertrain headlines Paradise, Boston MA tonite in 1978 .... and, following today’s recording session in 1975 Thundertrain drove down to guitarist Steven Silva’s home-port: New Bedford MA to rock at the cheesy Pizza Pub.(pic: Tonite at the Paradise. Mary Johnson Archive)
Jun 25th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...Thundertrain and Susan (both w/ tracks on the “Live at the Rat” lp) were co-billed at the Paris Theater, in Portland ME in 1977...Thundertain wrapped-up our 1978 Lenox MA engagement at Riot Alley tonite & we were still raging-away at Sunnyside, Ipswich MA in ‘76 ....Recording for the Mach 5 album “Meet Mach 5” continued today in 2005 at Galaxy Park in Allston MA (pic: Mach 5 make a plan. Eric Law Photo)
Jun 24th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...in 2004 I jetted down to RSW, where Thundertrain met me in Cape Coral FL to rehearse for our second Reunion Tour, w/ all 5 original members this time... in 1976 Thundertrain played at Sunnyside, Ipswich MA...in 1977 Thundertrain was headlining tonite at the Paris Theater in Portland ME...in 1978 Thundertrain back in in Lenox MA appearing at Riot Alley...in 1981: Mag 4 at the Rat in Boston MA. Young singer Gary Cherone (Extreme, Van Halen) and his new band the Dream opened this show...in 1985 The Wild Bunch raised a ruckus in Worcester MA at Sir Morgan’s Cove... in 2005 me and Mach 5 booked into Richard Marr’s Galaxy Park in Allston MA to begin recording our debut album... and in 1983 Joe Perry & manager Tim left the recording studio & jetted Quebec Air flight #284 to join up w/ me & the rest of the JPP. The Project was up in Canada supporting national hero Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush) tonite at a huge outdoor festival in the heart of Quebec City (pic: Super Show Rock - Mach Bell Archive)
Jun 23rd. On this day in Mach Bell history...me & Hargrove left for a big outdoor Project show in Quebec this morning in ‘83 in a rented station wagon along w/ drummer Joe Pet, soundman Rick , road manager Rob and young merch-guy Sean. The gear-truck was driven by Freddy. Admiral Perry would jet in later as he continued cutting more lead guitar at Blue Jay Studio in Carlisle MA ...Wild Bunch starred at Outdoor Fest ‘85 in Northwood NH...Thundertrain in Ipswich MA today in 1976 at Sunnyside...Thundertrain at Riot Alley in Lenox MA tonite in 1978. Band quarters were re-habbed horse stalls (pretty nice as band lodging went actually)... Mach 5 at the Bomb Shelter,in Manchester NH tonite in 2005. (pic: 16 Magazine feature from 1977. Mary Johnson Archive)
Jun 22nd. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... .I was finishing up my vocals today in ‘83 in Carlisle MA when this little chap from the Musicians Union dropped by the Blue Jay studio. Per union rules he cuts a $1700 check and hands it to drummer Joe Pet, $1700 for bassist Hargrove & another $1700 for guitar-man Perry. I’m standing last in line with my paw sticking out. “Wadda ya play?” asks the union-man. I proudly answer”I’m the lead singer.” Union-guy looks away & goes “sorry bub, these checks are for musicians only”. He was leaving when I finally blubbered “hey mister, I played maracas on a few songs”. The union-guy turns & whips open his check-book “Maracas? Why didn’t ya say so in the first place kid?” He writes me a check for $1700 and goes on his way... Thundertrain were out at the Music Inn, Lenox MA today in 1978 at Riot Alley. (pic: Me waving my $1700 maracas. Mach Bell Archives)
Jun 21st. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history.....i sang at the Mercury Lounge, NYC tonite in 2003 with the Bleu Choir ...Thundertrain played Natick Armory today in 1975. Also on the bill were the Kids who went on to become underground-stars the Real Kids....in 1983 Joe Perry was busy by noon, cutting more lead guitar tracks out in Carlilse MA at Blue Jay. Feeling groovy, I stopped by & re-cut the lead vox for Walk With Me Sally in one take. (pic: 2001 ad for another album I co-wrote & sang on. Poster designed by the incredible spectacle John Visnaskas.)
Jun 20th. On this day in Mach Bell history ..Mag 4 at Cantones in Boston MA today in 1981...Thundertrain recorded demos today in 1978 at Triton Productions, Brighton MA...Joe Perry finally began recording lead guitar tracks for the Once a Rocker album today in 1983. Reed players Jim Biggins & Ric Cunningham were also out at Blue Jay, Carlisle MA to add some hot sax parts for Black Velvet Pants, Adrianna and Crossfire....me & Danny Hargrove & the Wild Bunch rocked Excalibur, Manchester NH in 1985 (pic: The Wild Bunch ‘85 )
Jun19th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...1976: Thundertrain concert at Lincoln/Sudbury MA High School...2004: me and the Bleu Get Up Choir headline at Middle East Down in Central Square, Cambridge MA...1981: Mag 4 for two-nites at Cantone’s Boston MA (pic: one more from the Duke & the Drvers/Thundertrain General Foley Stadium show. National Guard troops did security that day. Ric Provost Archive)
Jun 18th. On this day in Mach Bell history...the Cars opened for Thundertrain tonite in 1977 at the Notre Dame Arena in Berlin NH... & another arena show for Thundertrain today in 1976 in our homebase Natick MA at the Community Ice Arena ...Joe Perry Project recorded again tonite in Carlisle MA at Blue Jay Studio in ‘83. We all sang background vox for the following tracks: Bang a Gong, King of the Kings, Once a Rocker, Black Velvet Pants, Never Wanna Stop & Women in Chains....i sang at Avalon (currently called the House of Blues) in Boston MA tonite in 2003 with the Bleu Get Up Choir...Thundertrain finished up a week of shows at the Cricket in Ashland MA tonite in 1978 (pic: Thundertrain thundered at Natick Community Ice Arena tonite in ‘76. Photo courtesy of Chinatown Chuck)
Jun 17th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...I did a pretty unique gig today at the Virgin-Mega Store, Boston MA in 2003. This was my first choir date. A large crowd had turned out to hear Bleu at this in-store appearance. What the crowd didn’t know was that 20 random customers, scattered all-over the store, were actually back-up singers who had been rehearsing w/ Bleu up the street at Berklee for the past 4 weeks. During his 4th song Bleu (silently) cued us from the stage & we all suddenly busted into harmony, from every corner of the Mega Store. Voices rising, we slowly processed & congregated around the stage. 21 voices strong. Very cool gig....out at Blue Jay, Carlisle MA the Joe Perry Project were recording Joe’s third solo lp. Tonite I laid-down lead vox on: Women In Chains & Bang a Gong. Also an alternate lead voc on Adrianna...Thundertrain were raisin’ hell tonite in 1978 at the Cricket in Ashland MA. (pic: Danny Hargrove & me. This one taken at the Bottom Line, NYC ‘83. Mach Bell Archive)
Jun 16th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ...I did another rock choir date w/ Bleu tonite in 2006. We headlined at the Paradise in Boston MA. My choir-mates included Vikki Sixx, John Powhida and T. Max...out at Blue Jay Studio, Carlisle MA ‘83, work commenced on our Once a Rocker/Always a Rocker lp. I cut the lead vox tonite for Black Velvet Pants & 4 Guns West... and Thundertrain was cranking at the Cricket, Ashland MA again today in 1978. Were you there? (pic: Thundertrain hit the showers. Lynn Ciulla Photo)
Jun 15th. On this day in Cowboy Mach history ...in 1982 me & Hargrove were twiddling our thumbs in rainy Cambridge MA waiting for the Admiral to recuperate following his collapse onstage a month ago in Jacksonville NC... in 1983 Danny & I headed back to Blue Jay Studio in Carlisle MA for a nite session. The Joe Perry Project were still working on our new album. Beginning at 7pm I cut the lead vocals for King of the Kings & Once a Rocker/Always a Rocker... in 1978 Thundertrain was blasting & getting blasted in Ashland MA at the Cricket. (pic: another one from the ‘78 Duke and the Drivers/Thundertrain concert at Foley Stadium in Worcester MA. Courtesy of the Ric Provost Archive )
Jun 14th. On this day in Mach Bell history .. in 1975 Thundertrain shook the floorboards of Newport Town Hall NH....in 1978 me & Thundertrain entertained at the Cricket in Ashland MA. (pic: Visiting backstage is our booking agent Frank Borsa. The late Mr. Borsa of Norwood (along w/ Al Jacques of Framingham) helped us a lot during our early years. Frank was able to somehow find paying work for Thundertrain nearly every week throughout 1974 and ‘75. Photo by Lynn Ciulla)
Jun 12th. On this day in Mach Bell history...Mag 4 drew a mob tonite in 1981 to the Eagles Hall in Framingham MA... in 1976 Maxanne was broadcasting Thundertrain’s new “Hot For Teacher!” every afternoon on her WBCN show. But our record was yet to be released... in 1983 the Joe Perry Project finally got a well- earned day off from recording. (pic::my future tombstone was expertly chiseled by Paul Blowfish Lovell in 2006. But, setting the record straight, I actually said “I Gotta Rock”. A few years later another band ripped-off the legendary Thundertrain, and boasted“I Wanna Rock.” Photo reprinted from the Boston Groupie News.)
Jun 11th. On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ... out at Blue Jay in 1983 work continued on the third Project lp with Joe Perry and Harry King producing. Today the Projectmobile dumped the band off in Carlisle MA at 2pm & we proceeded to cut basic tracks for Joe’s “First One’s For Free” (unreleased) & “Walk With Me Sally”. I did my lead vocal for ‘Never Wanna Stop’ tonite. Behind the scenes our manager was putting pressure on MCA Records in LA, trying to make them re-consider & re-sign (see June 3) the JPP to the label. (pic: Our manager in his office. Mach Bell Archive)
Jun 10th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history ..at 2pm in 1983 work continued on the Joe Perry Project’s Once a Rocker/Always a Rocker lp out in Carlisle MA at Blue Jay Studio. We recorded basics for & “They’ll Never Take Me Alive” & Eddie Cochran’s “Somethin’ Else” today. Neither of these made it onto the record. I cut the lead vox today on “Adrianna” & the band ganged-up on a mic to cut the backing-vox (featuring Danny) for that song.”Adrianna” was inspired by the head of hospitality, Adriana, who looked after us in Venezuela the previous summer.(pic: Here we are in the dressing room in Caracas: The Admiral, the director of operations Felipe, Cowboy Mach & young Danny Hargrove. Much more about our South American adventures coming up next month. Mach Bell Archives)
Jun 9th, On this day in Mach Bell history ...me & Jimmy Birmingham & our Mach 5 sped out to Worcester MA tonite in 2005 for a gig at the Lucky Dog. We were on a bill w/ Mullethead and Thirsty....Joe Perry Project recorded more basics today beginning at 2pm in 1983 out in Carlisle MA at Blue Jay Studio. We cut: Crossfire, King of the Kings, Women in Chains & Black Velvet Pants. I added some more lead vox as well....and in 1975 Thundertrain played the Foxboro High Graduation Party tonite at Lakeview Ballroom in Mendon MA. (pic: Thundertrain’s powerhouse Bobby Edwards rocks the grads at Lakeview Ballroom. Mary Johnson Photo)
Jun 6th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...1975 found Thundertrain live-on-stage at the 19th Green in Rutland VT. Before leaving for tonite’s gig Ric & I observed a youngster burying his little sister alive in a pit behind our band bunkhouse...the Joe Perry Project arrived at Blue Jay Studio in Carlisle MA at noon today in ‘83 to begin making our Once a Rocker/Always a Rocker lp. Today was mostly spent setting up Danny Hargrove & Joe’s amps, placing mics and getting sounds from Joe Pet’s kit...in 1978 Thundertrain was cutting a demo tape guided by our Aktive management team, Allan Kaufman & Earthquake Morton at Triton Productions in Brighton MA (pic: Perhaps the only photo ever taken of Joe & me making our ‘83 album. Mach Bell Archive)
Jun 5th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history ..me & the Joe Perry Project finished pre-pro for our new lp. We spent today in 1983 mixing-down the demos & song-idea tracks we’d made at White Dog Studio in Newton MA.... in ‘75 Thundertrain debuted in Rutland VT at the 19th Green. We performed 4 jaw-dropping sets & during the aftershow drive back to our grubby “bunkhouse” we managed to lose our front-door key. Bassman Ric jimmied a window & I slid in head-first. I found myself nose-to-barrel with a shotgun. The big gun was held by a toothless, bearded, cackling caretaker. The guys tried to explain to the gremlin that we were indeed the “band” & supposed to be staying here for the week. “Yer Thundertrain are ye? Hee hee. Well then, I’ll Thundertrain you boys. Yessiree I will.” This was the second time in 6 months that I’d had the barrel of a gun aimed at my innocent mug whilst performing important band duties. (pic: Something stinks. Mary Johnson Archive)
Jun 3rd, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell
history ..I was out in Newton MA doing pre-pro for our lp w/ the Joe
Perry Project today in 1983 when the crappy news came in. We had been
dropped by our brand-new label. Eagles manager Irving Azoff had
recently been hired as brand-new president of MCA Records & the
first thing Irving did was drop the Cowboy from his label...in 1975
Thundertrain entertained at the Cambridge Boathouse MA on the banks of
the dirty Charles River...T’train was at Joseph’s Commodore, Lowell MA
today in 1977 by popular demand and in 1978 we wound up our soggy
2-niter in Phillipston MA at the Nautical. (pic: courtesy of the Mary
Johnson Archive)
Jun 2nd, On this day in Cowboy Mach history...me & the Mach 5 got raw & ripped it up at The Abbey in Somerville MA tonite in 2005....Joe Perry Project was in Newton MA at White Dog Recording Studio. My notes say “Seven Rooms of Gloom” If the JPP demo-ed that outstanding Four Tops hit today in ‘83, I’d like to hear the tapes. I do recall the Project jamming on Chain of Fools and Lawyers, Guns & Money around this time...Thundertrain journeyed to Phillipston MA today for a salty 1978 show at the Nautical. (pic: This Mach 5 poster master-minded by John Visnaskas)
May 29th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell history...I sang 2 different shows today in 1983 w/ the Joe Perry Project. The rock-action began in Bridgeton ME where we played an Outdoor Festival w/ NRBQ, the Stompers and the Pousette-Dart Band. Following that love-fest we hauled-ass down to Cape Cod to headline an SRO late-show at the “Cape Channel” in Mashpee MA...Thundertrain were also on the Cape today in 1975 at the Way Station in Bourne MA...in 1976 me & TT were rippin-it-up at the Stadium in Wrentham MA.(pic: Cowboy, Joe Pet & the Admiral somewhere in ‘83. Mach Bell Archive) with Joe Pet and The Joe Perry Project.
May 28th, On this day in Cowboy Mach Bell
history... me & The Joe Perry Project rolled into the Salem Theater
(a cinema) in Salem MA tonite in ‘83...Thundertrain began a wild-week on
Cape Cod at the Way Station Bourne MA tonite in 1975...and in 1976
Thundertrain were back at the Stadium in Wrentham MA. (pic: Cowboybeeps
onstage tonite at the Way Station. Mary Johnson Archive)
May 26th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history... it was Thundertrain w/ Reckless at The Club in Cambridge MA tonite in 1978 - a wild scene....in 1982 I picked up Elyssa Perry (she didn’t drive) and brought her along to visit her husband (my band-leader) at his re-hab in Westwood MA, the Lodge. (pic: Steven in Cambridge. Lynn Ciulla Photo)
May 24th, On this day in Mach Bell history...the magnificent Mag 4 (drummer Bobby Edwards, bassist Ric Provost & guitar/singer me) made our debut today in 1981 in Boston MA at The Paradise...Thundertrain completed our one-week sentence at the People’s Choice in Bridgewater MA tonite in 1975... In 2003 Gulcher Records (re)released Thundertrain’s 1977 Teenage Suicide lp - for the first time on cd. This new package included bonus tracks and a 20 page booklet - but no bedroom wall-sized poster like the original album.( pic: Gulcher would go on to release our live Summit/WCOZ tapes from 1979 as “Thundertrain Hell Tonite!” Photo by AnneMarie Martins, internet ad designed by Rikki Rampage)
May
22nd, On this day in Mach Bell history...in 1975 I was singing for the
help at the People’s Choice in Bridgewater MA...Thundertrain packed the
house today at the Stadium, Wrentham MA in 1976... and in 1983 I was
working on song ideas for our Joe Perry Project lp that was about to go
into production for MCA. (pic: taken at the Stadium. Mary Johnson
Archive)
May 21st, On this day in Cowboy Mach
history...Joe Perry Project resurfaced tonite in 1983 at Scotch &
Sounds, Brockton MA. We had a new crew following the FL arrests a few
weeks back...Thundertrain finished up a week at the Firehouse, Pawtucket
RI today in ‘78...TT rocked Commodore Ballroom, Lowell MA again tonite
in ‘77...Thundertrain played the Stadium, Wrentham MA again tonite in
1976 ...and in 1975 TT was booked in Bridgewater MA at the People’s
Choice. (pic: good rock room, next to a bowling alley. Mach Bell
Archive)
May 26th, On this day in Cowboy Mach history... it was Thundertrain w/ Reckless at The Club in Cambridge MA tonite in 1978 - a wild scene....in 1982 I picked up Elyssa Perry (she didn’t drive) and brought her along to visit her husband (my band-leader) at his re-hab in Westwood MA, the Lodge. (pic: Steven in Cambridge. Lynn Ciulla Photo)
May 24th, On this day in Mach Bell history...the magnificent Mag 4 (drummer Bobby Edwards, bassist Ric Provost & guitar/singer me) made our debut today in 1981 in Boston MA at The Paradise...Thundertrain completed our one-week sentence at the People’s Choice in Bridgewater MA tonite in 1975... In 2003 Gulcher Records (re)released Thundertrain’s 1977 Teenage Suicide lp - for the first time on cd. This new package included bonus tracks and a 20 page booklet - but no bedroom wall-sized poster like the original album.( pic: Gulcher would go on to release our live Summit/WCOZ tapes from 1979 as “Thundertrain Hell Tonite!” Photo by AnneMarie Martins, internet ad designed by Rikki Rampage)
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