80’s FAN/HOLLYWOOD BOOKER Metal Sludge checks in with Whisky-a-go-go booker and uber 80’s fan Jake Perry

 

80’s FAN/HOLLYWOOD BOOKER
Metal Sludge checks in with Whisky-a-go-go booker and uber 80’s fan Jake Perry
By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge Editor at Large

 

HOLLYWOOD — Jake Perry is a real up-and-comer in the Los Angeles rock scene, a key figure at the Whisky A Go-Go that books many of the concerts at the famed club on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood – one of the world’s most prestigious venues whether you’re an unsigned outfit trying to make a name for yourself or someone like Aerosmith, who played a surprise afternoon show there earlier this year.

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METAL SLUDGE: Hey, Jake, now if I remember, you started out as a roadie for Jetboy – those are some pretty humble beginnings.

JAKE PERRY: Well, I helped them out for a couple of gigs in 2006, I think, but basically I had moved out here from Massachusetts, where I went to Emerson College, because I just loved ‘80s metal. After graduating, I moved to L.A. to pursue a dream and that whole thing, but I actually started by working for Pauly Shore as his assistant. This was in like 2004 or ’05.

Really? We love Pauly Shore.

PERRY: Yeah, that was pretty much my internship. It was cool chillin’ with the Wease.

I remember he dated porn star Savannah at one point. Did he get a lot of women when you were around him?

PERRY: He did. Yeah, man, Pauly is the man. He is Pauly Shore, so he was always looking for the freshest nug.

And I remember you worked at the Rainbow during the day as a server. I think you were the only male waiter at the Rainbow I’ve ever seen.

PERRY: Yeah, I worked there for a minute. I guess there is less drama with guys. I don’t know if I was the first guy, but I was the first in a long time. They might have had guy servers back in the day.

I don’t think so.

PERRY: I think (host) Tony’s nephew might have worked there at night at one time, but yeah, maybe you’re right. Maybe I was the first. I don’t know. I’d have to confirm that.

What would you say the biggest difference is at the Rainbow between being there during the day compared to be being there at night?

PERRY: In the day, they come in hungover, I guess, but it’s always a fun rock and roll atmosphere either way. I guess at night, there are no holds barred.

Are there some pretty big celebrities during the day, just like at night?

PERRY: Oh yeah. The Rainbow is always the place to be. Humpty Hump from Digital Underground, I remember he came in during the day one time to pick up his car that he had left overnight. Slash, Mick Mars, Duff McKagen, they would all come in during the day, and sometimes there would be film crews that would come in during business hours to do interviews there. There is always something going on.

I think Mike Tyson used to come in during the day. I bet he was a good tipper. Who was the best tipper?

PERRY: I don’t know. Slash’s wife gave me 100 bucks once. I guess everyone tips OK there.

A good server remembers what people order. Were you good at that?

PERRY: I think so. I remember Bishop Don Juan would always get a hamburger – burnt – with a baked potato with sugar.

I used to come in during the day. That’s how we met. Do you remember what I used to always order?

PERRY: Gerry G would always get the soup. Not too many wild requests.

Wrong. I always ordered the baked potato with ketchup.

PERRY: Oh.

Well, you were the only guy with all the rest of the wait staff all females, and some of them are pretty hot. Did you have sex with any of the waitresses?

PERRY: Oh come on, I can’t answer that.

Dude, this is Metal Sludge, not a children’s book.

PERRY: I can’t answer that, though, because it would cause drama with my current girlfriend.

Yeah, but this was a while ago. It’s 2014 now.

PERRY: OK, OK, of course I did, man.

What about Mario Maglieri. What are your thoughts about him?

PERRY: Mario is the man. He’s a great man.

I guess his son, Mike, has a strong presence there now.

PERRY: Yeah, he is always there during the day, taking care of business and running it.

Why did you leave the Rainbow?

PERRY: I got in a car accident, so I had to leave. I fucked up my back and shit, so I had to go back home to Massachusetts for a bit. I came back and worked for Corey Feldman as his assistant.

I met him at the Playboy mansion at a party one time with Aerosmith. He had two really hot girls with him. I remember I took a picture.

PERRY: Oh dude, it was awesome working for him. He was doing a bunch of projects and a music career, and there was never a dull moment with Fel-dog.

It looks like you’ve been working out. You’ve got much bigger. Did you go to boot camp or something?

PERRY: No, I just watch Hulk Hogan and do a lot of pushups.

Are you tough?

PERRY: I think so (laughs), but I’m a lover, not a fighter.

What about Tim Morris, the security guard at the Whisky?

PERRY: Nah, he’s a gentle giant.

So booking the Whisky. Who has been a big success there lately?

PERRY: Odin did really well. I’m a big fan, but I didn’t realize how many other really loyal fans that band had that came out of the woodwork. Randy O was great vocals, just awesome. It was fun time.

What are the most people that can fit into the Whisky, the true capacity. Like when Puddle of Mudd played there during the Sunset Strip Music Festival, there were so many people that some had to wait outside. How many people were inside that night?

PERRY: I guess about 400.

Really? It seems like more. That was really crowded because that band, they could play like the Gibson Amphitheatre, but they were playing the Whisky. That’s pretty cool.

PERRY: Yeah. Maybe 500, actually. That happens once in a while. Stryper had a lot of people here that night you were here, too, maybe about 500.

Who else totally packs the house, but a band you wouldn’t think of?

PERRY: There’s this Italian guy, Ligabue, that totally sells out, more like a rental. He is huge in Italy. It’s weird watching him in soundcheck because everyone talks Italian. I love watching soundcheck.

It must be fun to work there.

PERRY: Yeah, Sammy Hagar just did a TV shoot here. It was awesome. And Aerosmith came in and did a 4 p.m. show. There have been a lot of good times.

Did you hang out with Aerosmith much that day?

PERRY: Nah, I didn’t want to bug ‘em.

You must get so many calls from people driving you crazy, trying to get into shows for free and stuff.

PERRY: I have an office up top and can see ‘em coming by looking through my window (laughs). But you’re right, when there is a big show, I get a lot of texts.

Did you have a funny story or something like that?

PERRY: I don’t know. When we had Stephen Pearcy here, from Ratt, we had a big party that went for so long that I remember waking up the next day at my desk, and we couldn’t find my partner’s glasses because they were stuck in some leftover pizza. That was a fun time.

There is a rumor going around the Whisky is going to be closing down – along with the rest of Strip. Your thoughts?

PERRY: The Whisky is here to stay. We just celebrated 50 years, and we’re not going anywhere. That’s just a rumor because of some headline somewhere.

Well, if it ever did happen, that would be sad day.

PERRY: Of course. That would be the end of the Sunset Strip for a lot people, and that would be very sad.

So what’s the latest news with good bands coming?

PERRY: I just got Warrant for May 15, and that should be killer. I’m really excited about that. Plus, we have Vain on May 1 and Dokken on March 20.

Awesome.

PERRY: And you’ve got to come to Stephen Pearcy. He’s here on Friday, Dec. 19.

Oh, I want that one. Does Metal Sludge get the full VIP treatment for that one?

PERRY: Oh yes, the full VIP treatment.

And finally, you deal with a lot of local bands trying to make a name for themselves. What three pieces of advice can you give them?

PERRY: One, they’ve got the hustle and stay in peoples’ faces. Two, practice up and tighten all those loose screws. And three, be nice to everybody. Be excellent to one another because you never known who you’ll be playing with on the way up – or on the way down.

 
Jake Perry for Whisky-A-Go-Go @ WebSite – Facebook 

 

Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv

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