Joe Perry Project
By: Debbie Brautman | Photo: Chris Schmitt
Joe Perry’s Supercharged Project is Not The Same Old Song and Dance
Starting out with “Let The Music Do The Talking,” first recorded by The Joe Perry Project in 1980, Joe Perry of Aerosmith fame played guitar like a man possessed. He was smokin,’ literally and figuratively. This song was re-recorded when Perry reunited with Aerosmith for their 1985 album Done with Mirrors. This superstar is turning 75 years old in September and you sure wouldn’t know it. He was so inspired and blazing red hot. He also looked fit, tan and healthy. His wild hair with white streaks hid much of his face for most of the concert. A strong frontman was needed for this supergroup and Chris Robinson, lead singer for The Black Crowes, was more than up for the task. He had the moves like Jagger and was mesmerizing. Every move he made, we were watching him. Robinson looked rock-classy with his black sparkly jacket, white flowing blouse and shiny black leather pants. Multiple necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and tattoos were everywhere, not only on Robinson, but Perry was all decked out in rock ‘n roll as well. Without hesitation they blasted into “My Fist Your Face” from Aerosmith’s Done with Mirrors album, and Perry affectionately put his arm around Robinson while they were singing together. “Same Old Song and Dance” was the lead single off the second Aerosmith album Get Your Wings, and Perry played a perfect guitar solo. They all pulled it off without the strong vocals of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. The Black Crowes were opening for Aerosmith in September 2023 when Tyler blew out his voice after three shows. It was very smart thinking for Perry to put his Project back together and tour with Robinson on vocals. Genius move.
Perry introduced his brother from another mother, Brad Whitford, who joined Aerosmith in 1971, replacing original guitarist Ray Tablano. Usually, he introduces the band later but wanted to do it then, so we’d know who is playing. He introduced Robert DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots on bass. Eric Kreutz, also from Stone Temple Pilots, had been scheduled to play, but due to a family emergency, longtime Joe Perry Project drummer Jason Sutter was able to come to the rescue and fill in. As Perry put it, “Jason saved our ass at the last f**king minute.” Perry continues, “and on lead vocals, another brother from another mother who has the same f**king heartbeat as I do…Chris Robinson. Buck Johnson, a touring member on keyboards and vocals in Aerosmith since 2014, was just at The Hard Rock Live in June, playing and singing with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band. He is a real asset with great vocals and keyboard work. Perry said, “Buck is the f**king rock. He holds me up when I’m falling down.” Joe Perry Project’s “East Coast West Coast” song from 1981 had Perry on one of his super cool guitars, a bright red B.C. Rich Bich. All his guitars were super cool, and he had many. At the end of Aerosmith’s “Get The Lead Out,” they improvised a little Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker.”
Robinson yelled, “It’s only rock and roll music up here. Can you dig it? I hope you can dig it. Cause you’re digging it, digging it, digging it. Here’s a Black Crowes song.” They played “Twice As Hard,” and it was fantastic and a highlight of the evening. Perry said, “When it came out, I played it over and over again. I like that song.” Robinson then told the story how Perry called him to write a song with him and he didn’t have to think for a split second. Together they came up with another hard rocking rocker called “Fortunate One.” Stone Temple Pilot’s “Vasoline” and “Interstate Love Song” featured Robert DeLeo, and Robinson gave his own interpretation of their songs.
On other stops on this 2025 tour, the Aerosmith song “Mama Kin” was played with an obscure Aerosmith song called “Get It Up,” but for this show “Mama Kin” was not played, however, “Get It Up” was. Referring to this song Joe explained, “Someone said the lyrics were silly. F**k it, What rock ‘n roll lyrics aren’t silly? As long as it feels good!” He has a good point. He then introduced the next song, “Won’t Let Me Go,” as being off his last solo album, Sweetzerland Manifesto. He said, “Terry Reid sang on it, and he passed away in the last couple of weeks and I want to dedicate it to him.” Terry Reid is a famed English musician who is famous for his singing, nicknamed Superlungs, as well as originally being the first choice to be the singer for Led Zeppelin. There are great infectious guitar chords on that song. It was such a treat to see Joe Perry and Chris Robinson singing The Black Crowes’ hit “Jealous Again,” with Perry striking his rock star poses while clearly enjoying every glorious note that he ferociously played. Whitford, Aerosmith’s other guitarist is no slouch and he did not disappoint. His white hair was now very long and he just stood back and let everyone else take the spotlight. He was excellent. The musical chemistry of this band was magical. “Bright Light Fright” is an Aerosmith punk song inspired by The Sex Pistols that Perry had to fight to get on the Draw The Line LP.
The setlist was varied with some Joe Perry solo work, Aerosmith hits, lesser-known Aerosmith songs, Black Crowes, Stone Temple Project and covers. As Rock Cellar magazine summed it up, “They’re like a garage band on steroids.” Their energy level was incredible and didn’t wane for even a second. Aerosmith’s “Draw The Line” was another highlight with Perry’s blistering guitar solo blended with Robinson’s stunning vocals that brought back memories of the best of Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood in The Faces. It was frenetic…just crazy and wild. Both Whitford and Perry produced an early Aerosmith wall of sound that has been missing in their later songs. They sound like they have all been playing together for years. They were also having so much fun. Young bands should learn a thing or two cause these guys know how to rock! Robinson hasn’t lost a single step. Perry played like an eighteen-year-old. Pretty damn impressive. Perry announced, “This one’s on Brad,” as they played “Last Child” from Aerosmith’s Rocks album. It was written by Whitford with Stephen Tyler, and it featured Whitford with his chunky and funky signature riffs. For the encore they played a cover of “Train Kept A Rollin’.” It was first recorded by Tiny Bradshaw in 1951 and The Yardbirds in 1965 before Aerosmith covered it in 1974. They had to end the show with Aerosmith’s giant hit “Walk This Way” from their Toys In the Attic album, which was a real crowd pleaser. The entire concert was.
The sonic attack of opening act Jared James Nichols warmed up the heavy duty rocker crowd at the spectacular Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL. Nichols is a bluesy rock guitarist with an emphasis on the rock part. He has strong vocals and is reminiscent of Ted Nugent’s style of shredding with songs like his single “Down The Drain” and “Easy Come Easy Go.” He got some audience participation on his song “Can You Feel It?” His cover of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” included guest guitarist Graham Whitford, who is Brad Whitford’s son. Nichols will be supporting Michael Schenker on September 6 at the Culture Room in Ft Lauderdale.
