Reese & The Bonus Plan

Some people might not say that love songs and dirty swamp blues can co-exist harmoniously. On Reese Perkins’ “Backslider”, Perkins proves the two can not only co-exist, but can compliment each other perfectly.

Listeners don’t need to get far into this album to “get it”; this guy is a master ax-man. But not all blues cats are able to write love songs you might hear on an indie radio station. And not many pop songwriters are able to lay down a solo that Stevie Ray himself might give a nod of approval to.

The kickoff track “That Girl a Hooker” slaps your face with the feel of RHCP’s “Blood Sugar Sex Magic”. The raw reality of a girl who will, “take your best friend home and call you the very next day” fits the groove well.

Immediately the album switches gears with back to back softer tunes “Of the Two of Us” (featuring Wendy Colonna)and “Another Great Love Song”. These tunes make the listener wonder if they are hearing the same artist. But as soon as “Cold Rainy Monday” kicks off, one can see the listeners hopping out of their chair to get it done.

The stand out tracks are title track “Backslider”, with a Michael Jackson-style funk and the guitar infused “I’m Goin’ Straight to Hell”. You get the impression that if Perkins is going to hell, he sure as hell ain’t scared. This album is a musical funk-lovin blues gumbo brewed from the land Perkins comes from, Southwest Louisiana

After reviewing the album, Perkins took some time for a Q&A with Louisiana Indie Radio.

Louisiana Indie Radio: Where are you from and how has your connection to this place affected your music?

RP: I was born and raised in Lake Charles, graduated from Barbe High in 1993 and moved to Austin in 1994. Growing up in Lake Charles, I was lead guitarist for the popular local band Riff Raff which also included Travis Guidry, Steve Dufrene, Ross Frohn, and Josh Fontenot, as well as guitarist for the first two show choirs ever while at Barbe- so there was music everywhere. Chris Miller was a great music teacher and influence on me at Barbe, and is still there. I always loved that I was lucky enough to grow up in Louisiana having a broad mix of swampy blues, funky zydeco, and new orleans jazz. The culture, music, and even the food still influence everything I do even today.

Louisiana Indie Radio: Did you have a goal as far as what type/sound of album you wanted to make with Backslider?

RP: Backslider is my third official solo album and for this one I wanted it to really have a hard bluesy edge with great guitar playing but also have catchy hooks. As a guitar player, my main influences are Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Frusciante. As a producer I am influenced by Rick Rubin's production style. With the exception of guests on my albums, I write and produce the entire album, and usually play every instrument. I am currently recording my new album entitled 'Lucky Dog' for an October release and it is going to be the big one, very excited about it, real powerhouse tunes and blazing guitar work.

Louisiana Indie Radio: I hear a dirty blues sound, pop songs, ballads, and funk...How do you think you have been able to develop dynamic multi-styled songwriting?

RP: I guess when it comes down to it, everything comes from my guitar playing. When I write, for the song itself and lyrics I may have Billy Joel or Ben Folds in mind, but the guitar solos come from a Hendrix/John Frusciante/Stevie Ray Vaughn place. So when the lyrics, content, and guitar parts come together, I always get something unique with a lot of variety, but I feel like it all still sounds like me.

Louisiana Indie Radio:What is the best thing about collaborating with folks like Wendy on songs?

RP: Wendy and I went to high school together back at Barbe, so when she moved to Austin in 2001 she knew I was there, gave me a call, and I produced her second album called 'Red' for her in 2002 and playing as her guitar player until 2004, then left to fully focus on my solo albums. Wendy is great, a real pro on stage and in the studio. We get along great and its really nice when we still collaborate from time to time. On my Backslider album we have two duets (Of the two of us, and Let you Just be You). It is always great to work with musicians that have the same understanding and appreciation of the creative process and love of music. As for guests on my songs, I never think of the person I'd like to collaborate with first, I usually write the song and then think, 'Wow, I bet this person would sound great on this track.' And then show them the song, see if they're into it, and what they bring to it using their own style.

- Chris Shearman of Louisiana Indie Radio - www.lakecharles.com

Some people might not say that love songs and dirty swamp blues can co-exist harmoniously. On Reese Perkins’ “Backslider”, Perkins proves the two can not only co-exist, but can compliment each other perfectly.

Listeners don’t need to get far into this album to “get it”; this guy is a master ax-man. But not all blues cats are able to write love songs you might hear on an indie radio station. And not many pop songwriters are able to lay down a solo that Stevie Ray himself might give a nod of approval to.

The kickoff track “That Girl a Hooker” slaps your face with the feel of RHCP’s “Blood Sugar Sex Magic”. The raw reality of a girl who will, “take your best friend home and call you the very next day” fits the groove well.

Immediately the album switches gears with back to back softer tunes “Of the Two of Us” (featuring Wendy Colonna)and “Another Great Love Song”. These tunes make the listener wonder if they are hearing the same artist. But as soon as “Cold Rainy Monday” kicks off, one can see the listeners hopping out of their chair to get it done.

The stand out tracks are title track “Backslider”, with a Michael Jackson-style funk and the guitar infused “I’m Goin’ Straight to Hell”. You get the impression that if Perkins is going to hell, he sure as hell ain’t scared. This album is a musical funk-lovin blues gumbo brewed from the land Perkins comes from, Southwest Louisiana

After reviewing the album, Perkins took some time for a Q&A with Louisiana Indie Radio.

Louisiana Indie Radio: Where are you from and how has your connection to this place affected your music?

RP: I was born and raised in Lake Charles, graduated from Barbe High in 1993 and moved to Austin in 1994. Growing up in Lake Charles, I was lead guitarist for the popular local band Riff Raff which also included Travis Guidry, Steve Dufrene, Ross Frohn, and Josh Fontenot, as well as guitarist for the first two show choirs ever while at Barbe- so there was music everywhere. Chris Miller was a great music teacher and influence on me at Barbe, and is still there. I always loved that I was lucky enough to grow up in Louisiana having a broad mix of swampy blues, funky zydeco, and new orleans jazz. The culture, music, and even the food still influence everything I do even today.

Louisiana Indie Radio: Did you have a goal as far as what type/sound of album you wanted to make with Backslider?

RP: Backslider is my third official solo album and for this one I wanted it to really have a hard bluesy edge with great guitar playing but also have catchy hooks. As a guitar player, my main influences are Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Frusciante. As a producer I am influenced by Rick Rubin's production style. With the exception of guests on my albums, I write and produce the entire album, and usually play every instrument. I am currently recording my new album entitled 'Lucky Dog' for an October release and it is going to be the big one, very excited about it, real powerhouse tunes and blazing guitar work.

Louisiana Indie Radio: I hear a dirty blues sound, pop songs, ballads, and funk...How do you think you have been able to develop dynamic multi-styled songwriting?

RP: I guess when it comes down to it, everything comes from my guitar playing. When I write, for the song itself and lyrics I may have Billy Joel or Ben Folds in mind, but the guitar solos come from a Hendrix/John Frusciante/Stevie Ray Vaughn place. So when the lyrics, content, and guitar parts come together, I always get something unique with a lot of variety, but I feel like it all still sounds like me.

Louisiana Indie Radio:What is the best thing about collaborating with folks like Wendy on songs?

RP: Wendy and I went to high school together back at Barbe, so when she moved to Austin in 2001 she knew I was there, gave me a call, and I produced her second album called 'Red' for her in 2002 and playing as her guitar player until 2004, then left to fully focus on my solo albums. Wendy is great, a real pro on stage and in the studio. We get along great and its really nice when we still collaborate from time to time. On my Backslider album we have two duets (Of the two of us, and Let you Just be You). It is always great to work with musicians that have the same understanding and appreciation of the creative process and love of music. As for guests on my songs, I never think of the person I'd like to collaborate with first, I usually write the song and then think, 'Wow, I bet this person would sound great on this track.' And then show them the song, see if they're into it, and what they bring to it using their own style.

- Chris Shearman of Louisiana Indie Radio - www.lakecharles.com