Interview with Jet Puppy

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I knew that I wanted to be a musician from a very young age. I listened endlessly to my first 45s (“I Saw Her Standing There” by the Beatles, and “The Age of Aquarius” by The Fifth Dimension). I was freaked out by Neil Young’s Lyrics in “After the Gold Rush” because I thought that he had lived through and survived an alien invasion. Maybe he did! I was sure about my future by the time I was 8 or so. I stood by my father’s Clairtone G2 in our kitchen on Maggie’s farm and heard a version of “Que Sera Sera” by Sly and the Family Stone on FM radio. That cut still blows my mind! That was a turning point. I had to learn how to do that.

Without music, I’d be a gardener.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love being a father. Being at home with my daughter has been a healing and enlightening experience. Waking up knowing that today, I will assemble a bag of bats, soccer/base/ basket balls, snacks, water and we split…come back for lunch…do it again. Nothing else to do but be present. My daughter is 14 now, but my “me” time is still focused on my daughter and my wife.

I am more empathetic in my lyrical and performance approach as a result.

How long has your band been around?

Jet Puppy is almost 9….months old. Should be cruising soon, adjusting to some solids.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Toronto (Pronounced: ”Churona”). Toronto is the centre of the universe obviously. So much music, so many diverse cultures. As a result, my culture is cosmopolitan, and I feel as though I am a part of many musical traditions, and comfortable playing different styles.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

This project focuses on the mid 1940s to the mid 1950s, with a couple of exceptions. Aside from the implications of power and speed, Which the band displays in excess, Jet tech really became common around the same time as late R and B and early Rock n Roll. Puppies are cute. Snoopy and the Red Baron fought each other on another 45 rpm that I had. Both Brent and I play through Ampeg Jet 12t amplifiers.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

As Jet Puppy we are early in our performing career. Although, at our second live performance, Brent took a spill on a shallow stage backwards…tore up his arm enough to bleed respectably, horrifying onlookers.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

On behalf of the band, Mary, Brent, Fraser, Jon and myself, I would like to say that any venue that has people in it, that has people with a mind to dance, or talk or just hang together works just fine!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I’d like to open for Big Joe Turner, and Bill Haley and the Comets. I’d like to watch Billie Holiday perform while standing in the wings of the stage.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and, some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Be present. To myself I say “self, holey @#$% what a life your gonna have!”

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Converse hi tops will soon be back in style, so don’t sweat the insults.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Our soon to be released 2^nd single Kansas City. It’s the pocket, the story, by Lieber and Stoller, the pocket again…I feel at home singing it.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Still too early to tell, but as a band we love “12 Bar Blues” written by Jack Butwell, later made beautiful by NRBQ. “Kansas City” by Lieber and Stoller, and “Hello Josephine” by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew loom large.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Well, I Iook around the musical landscape for songs I love. Then, we try them out as a band. If there is a spark, we add it to the play list.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I love the songs that cross cultural boundaries. I love the songs that have spoken to people all over the place. I love songs that have a rhythmic pocket, and some honesty in their message. We want the audience to dance!

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Never! Ok, we’ve had a few minor ones, but mostly we talk it out, or take it outside and … well, my bets are on Brent or Mary every time, unless the dispute is between the two of them, in which case all bets are off.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We are in our infancy. I think that being together and playing music with joy and positive intention was initially the goal. As musicians, we’d all be happy just continuing to play professionally, living life, raising families, drinking a little scotch. Presently Bushmills is the rehearsal fav.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Facebook and Instagram!!!