Press-Enterprise, CA
November 19, 2009

When Aerosmith’s time in the studio stalled earlier this year, guitarist Joe Perry decided to record a new solo record.

Then, when Aerosmith’s summer tour ended abruptly when frontman Steven Tyler fell off a stage, Perry decided to live up to the name of his new solo record, “Have Guitar, Will Travel.”

The guitar hero performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Saturday, the House of Blues in Anaheim on Monday and the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The tour could be a fortuitous move, now that Tyler has been talking to media outlets about flying the Aerosmith coop.

In a recent telephone interview, Perry said he didn’t know when Aerosmith would get back to recording the unfinished album they left in the studio, but he’s excited to be out and playing his own new album.

“I kind of wrote it to be the backbone of a live show,” Perry said.

He said he thought about it from the fan’s perspective — some people may not have heard the record.

“It kind of gives the songs a feel, that people can get into the songs the first time they hear them,” Perry said.

“I really like this record a lot. We cut back on a lot of overproducing it and went for the energy.”

Perry wrote one of the songs, “Do You Wonder,” with longtime Aerosmith collaborator Marti Frederiksen. Perry’s wife, Billie, wrote the lyrics.

Perry said he had written some lyrics but never really pinned them down. He was getting ready to write a set when his wife handed him a legal pad with lyrics for the song.

She also found Hagen, the singer on about half the tracks on the disc, through YouTube.

Perry said he had been trying to get Aerosmith to do the rock anthem, and the band passed. Then producer Brendan O’Brien heard it and had them work on the anthem in the studio before recording stalled.

“When the record came down, I said, ‘Ten years is long enough, this song’s gonna get out there,’ ” Perry said.

But the record is more than just songs that Aerosmith could have recorded. Perry melded myriad styles on the album.

“There’s some funk on there, some bluesy stuff, there’s that old rock ‘n’ roll, straight-up rock ‘n’ roll, just some different avenues to get to the same place. And that’s kind of what the show is,” Perry said.

In addition to playing the solo material, he said some Aerosmith songs would be in the set because that’s what a lot of people want to hear.

“We do them, but we don’t stray too far from the original,” he said.

Perry said he loves the energy of playing live.

“I get a chance to hear my guitar. I love the way it sounds, and I get to play riffs that I like. … I’m a fan of this kind of music, a big fan, and I get to play it. I’m really lucky,” Perry said. “Having a project like this really gives me a chance to indulge myself.”

Joe Perry

Indio: 8 p.m. Saturday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, 800-827-2946, $49-$89, www.fantasyspringsresort.com

Anaheim: 8 p.m. Monday, House of Blues, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, 714-778-2583, $37.50 in advance, $40 the day of the show, www.hob.com

Los Angeles: 8 p.m. Tuesday, House of Blues , 8430 Sunset Blvd., 323-848-5100, $35.50 in advance, $40.50 the day of the show, www.hob.com

On the Web: www.joeperry.com

Aero Force One
November 19, 2009

Joey Kramer would like to thank everyone that came out to Mohegan Sun for the Winning Authors event to celebrate his book, “Hit Hard.” The event was a huge success with over 300 people attending the intimate live discussion at the Cabaret Theatre. Led by Eddie Trunk, also host of VH1’s acclaimed “That Metal Show,” the crowd both observed and contributed to a highly enjoyable experience.

The event kicked off with a screening of “It’s About Time” – the film dedicated to Joey’s lasting influence both within Aerosmith and the entire rock and roll world. After a standing ovation, fans were treated to an hour long question-and-answer session allowing guests insight into the experiences recounted within “Hit Hard” and Joey’s catharsis in writing it. Twice Joey’s dialogue was interrupted as the audience rose to its feet and applauded in response to his honesty in relation to his personal struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and battle with depression.

“Having been able to find my own sanity within the insanity that has been such a prevalent condition of the Aerosmith experience for over forty years” is an accomplishment representative of the transformative experience which Joey believes truly saved his life. For him, sharing this information and passing on the value of his life changing, and ultimately life saving transformation was the driving force behind turning “Hit Hard” into a reality.

Following the discussion, Joey gave back to all the faithful supporters as he personalized and signed copies of “Hit Hard” for all in attendance. The line flowed out the door of the Shops at Mohegan Sun as fans waited with excitement. From ages 8 to 80, all were represented as supporters passed through to get their own copy of “Hit Hard” signed.

Stay tuned for video footage from the event!