My Town & Beyond: Brian Ray's Journey from Monster Mash to McCartney's Stage

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

This week’s Gig Gab podcast brings you an electrifying episode with Brian Ray, diving deep into his illustrious career and the recent release of his latest album, “My Town.” You’ll kick off with a fun story as Brian shares tales from his Halloween 1973 tour supporting Monster Mash, including the quirky experience of being having his high-school band invited to tour with Bobby “Boris” Pickett. Brian reminisces about how the transistor radio and Wolfman Jack shaped his musical journey, leading up to the release of “My Town” on Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records. Always Be Performing, Ray recounts being on stage with Paul McCartney, highlighting McCartney’s meticulous involvement in every aspect of their performances.

The conversation takes a technical turn as Brian discusses the nuances of in-ear monitors versus custom filters, likening rock and roll to chamber music and needing to be connected audibly and visually with his bandmates. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at Stevie Van Zandt as a collaborator and the innovative use of AI in the “Bad 4U” video. Brian contrasts recording alone in a studio with the energy of playing live alongside drummers like Abe Laboriel Jr., Erik Eldenius, and Pete Thomas. Wrapping up with colorful stories of zombie makeup and playing Monster Mash at Phil Kaufman’s house, rehearsing with Etta James, and run-ins with Dr. Demento and Oingo Boingo, this episode is a testament to a lifetime of ‘Always Be Performing.’

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 441 – Monday, August 5th, 2024
  • August 5th: National Oyster Day (also National Underwear Day)
• Guest Co-host: Brian Ray
  • Played with Boris Pickett and the Crypt Kicker Five, Etta James, Paul McCartney and with a new album released Friday, 8/2, on Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records.
• 00:01:34 Halloween 1973 Tour supporting Monster Mash
• 00:03:44 Going on tour with your drummer’s mom’s boyfriends band
  • Cloris Leachman’s son was the drummer
• 00:05:21 Seven Years of Singles lead to “My Town”, Brian’s new record, released Friday
  • Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records fuels it all
  • The transistor radio made music mobile… and brought Wolfman Jack to Brian
• 00:13:35 Being on Stage with Paul McCartney
• 00:16:07 Rehearsing For McCartney Tour
  • The band knows 160 songs…then brushes up
  • Paul is very detail-oriented, involved in decisions for the setlist, the staging, the lights, the video screens…the whole experience.
• 00:19:02 In Ears vs. Custom-Fit Earplugs
  • Rock and Roll is Chamber Music…everyone needs to be connected
• 00:24:00 Touring Tip: Use scarves to cover lights chill out the hotel room vibe
• 00:25:43 On Stevie Van Zandt as a collaborator
  • Bad 4U Video uses AI to lighten up the vibe
• 00:30:07 Recording alone in a studio vs. Playing Live with other people
  • Abe Laboriel, Jr.
  • Erik Eldenius
  • Pete Thomas
• 00:33:16 Putting on the Zombie Make-up and playing the Monster Mash at Phil Kaufman’s House
  • Modern Lovers
  • Dr. Demento
  • Oingo Boingo
  • Story about Phil Kaufman being charged with Grand Theftbecause he lost Gram Parsons (made into a film starring Johnny Knoxville)
  • Rehearsal with Etta James at John Densmore’s House in 1974
• 00:38:31 Gig Gab 441 Outtro
  • Find Brian Ray at BrianRay.com
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