1. For the viewers of this blog who may not know you, how would you introduce The Peawees? How long have you been together as a band? Who plays which instrument in the band nowadays? Have there been any new members in recent years?
Hey! I’d say we’re a rock ‘n’ roll band in the broadest sense of the term. The band was formed in 1995, and after several lineup changes, it’s now me, Tommy Gonzalez on drums, Fabio Clemente on bass, and Dario Persi on guitar. Fabio and Tommy have been in the band for 12 years, and Dario joined 3 years ago.
It’s absolutely true! During the pandemic, I got stuck on the island of Tenerife. What was supposed to be a one-month vacation turned into seven months because there were complications with returning to Italy with everything that was going on. I bought a classical guitar from an Indian guy selling it online for 30 euros, and I wrote most of the album's songs during that time.
3. The promo sheet mentions that it’s been "a long wait for this record, one that includes lineup changes, divorces, lost loved ones, and job troubles." Can you tell us more about this?
I think the promo sheet sounds a bit dramatic! (laughs) Honestly, we’ve faced challenges that most people in the world experience! Let’s just say that when things were supposed to restart after the pandemic, a lot of things happened all at once that disrupted and slowed down our plans. Carlo Landini, our former guitarist, moved to Berlin for work and had to leave the band, so Dario joined. We wanted to tour a bit with Dario to get the band warmed up before going into the studio. I went through a divorce, so I left Milan, where the band was based at the time, and moved back to my hometown, La Spezia. Then we lost loved ones and friends. At one point, it felt like we were in the middle of a storm, and everything seemed impossible. The day One Ride was released felt like a miracle (laughs).
4. What can you tell us about the recording process? Was it a live recording in the studio or a track-by-track process with lots of overdubs?
It was something in between. We generally record the guitar, bass, and drum tracks together, and then we add vocals, organ, and percussion afterward. I’d say there are very few overdubs—what you hear is what we are! We recorded this album in three different sessions and then mixed everything together.
5. For the recording of this album, did you use modern digital recording technology, or do you prefer working with analog machines in analog studios?
All the preamps, compressors, and microphones were analog, with many vintage elements. All of this was captured using good converters.
6. Is there a main composer in the band, or is everyone involved in one way or another?
I write all the songs.
7. What’s your favorite topic, or what comes easiest to you when writing a new song?
It’s hard to say; it depends on what you’re experiencing at the time. Generally, I write about situations that I see and that affect me in some way. It could be a story I’ve experienced personally or something I’ve observed in other people’s lives.
8. What kind of music did you listen to as a teenager, and does it still influence your work today? What were your favorite bands as a teenager? Name three bands that still influence your work today.
I was lucky to have an older brother who brought records home and older friends who introduced me to the right stuff. My obsession with The Clash started very early, but when I was about 15, I was hanging out with friends who were really into bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. Shortly after, I discovered punk—The Misfits, The Ramones, and everything that followed. I firmly believe that what you listen to as a teenager stays with you forever, and even if you don’t want it to, it will always influence your writing.
9. Do you have a video on YouTube featuring a track from the recent LP?
Of course, we have two music videos: "The Wolf" and "Drive."
10. What can concertgoers expect at a Peawees gig? Are you playing any famous cover songs?
When we’re on stage, we want to have fun and enjoy ourselves, and that’s what we hope to share with the audience. Right now, we’re playing "Don’t Look Back" by The Remains and "Leaving Here" by Eddie Holland.
11. Are there any bands in Italy today that you consider yourselves close to?
We’ve been around for 30 years, and as you can imagine, we’ve built strong friendships throughout the punk, rock ‘n’ roll, and garage scenes.
12. What are the plans for the rest of 2024 for The Peawees? Are you planning to tour Europe to promote the record?
We’re currently on tour in Spain, and as soon as we’re back, we’ll be playing a series of dates in Italy until December. We’re already working on 2025, which will be full of surprises we’ll announce soon!
13. Anything you’d like to add?
Thank you, Eric!