Pumped

As a red-blooded American woman, she can't deny how Aerosmith's music makes her shake and groove. She is thrilled that all of those years of poring over every note on albums from Aerosmith to Pump are now proving invaluable, and she hopes to bring her own swagger in paying tribute to songs she reveres.

Al

Al Perez’s affair with The Boys From Boston can be traced back to the '70s, courtesy of his cousin blasting Draw The Line on the home stereo.

At age 12, Al really had no desire to learn an instrument but decided to take guitar lessons upon seeing his sister’s guitar teacher Charlotte, who was talented but also 21, tall, blonde, and gorgeous. In other words, a perfect choice for serious music instruction.

Since Charlotte was not interested in a younger man, the lessons only lasted six months, but she did manage to fuel his interest in guitar. Somewhat. The turning point came a few years later when a neighborhood kid heard him playing and declared “You suck!” Al responded by cranking up the volume on his musical dedication. Fueled by determination, he transformed into a guitar virtuoso, never letting go of the rhythm of Aerosmith in his ears.

During this time, Darren played in various rock bands and blues bands, until his mid-twenties when he decided to hang up his spurs for a bit, not knowing it would be 15 years. By then he was living in Northwest Connecticut and “came out of retirement” at age 40, slowly at first—open mics and blues jams, then forming Swamp Yankee with a group of regulars from one of those open mics. He played with them for three years before forming The Harlem Line Band in 2010. They still play their blend of rock and R&B covers and originals whenever they can.

Playing in Pumped—with Helsel—is really coming full circle with the band that first lit the fire in his 10-year-old belly all those years ago, “as much as any other part of me, Aerosmith are just in my DNA.”

Sam

Despite coming from a musical family, my parents didn’t exactly embrace rock and roll (or KISS!) but they supported my ambition and put up with the racket I was making. My paper route afforded me my first drum set. My sister played guitar and there was a piano in the house so I taught myself that too. She told me I needed to expand my musical tastes a little. She introduced me to Aerosmith. The perfect foil for a rebellious youth.

Seventh grade began my burgeoning music career. Talent shows, house parties, and battle of the bands, for anyone who would listen. KISS, Rush, Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Sabbath, etc., and of course The Stones and Aerosmith. Although I could play the instruments, I was the singer, attempting to morph into Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger.

Darren’s sister was friends with my sister so that’s how we became friends. We quickly discovered we had many of the same interests—girls, BMX bikes…and…Aerosmith! We’d sit around listening to those records for hours (it was different back in the day).

I spent years playing in bands, through high school and beyond, until other things became more important—building a career, getting married, and starting a family. Then in 2007, a chance encounter brought me back into the mix. Enter John Mazzei. From the moment we started playing, I felt like I found my long-lost rhythmic brother. John and I played in a few bands together up until Covid hit then everyone seemed to lose their mojo.

Fast forward to December 2023. I had tickets to see The Boys From Boston but they put things on hold. I called some of my favorite musician friends, four other like-minded rockers with the passion and swagger who all happen to be Aerosmith fanatics as well and said “Let’s start an Aerosmith cover band!!”. The rest will be history…

John

During my early years, I presented challenges as a toddler, often requiring my mother to find creative ways to manage my energetic behavior. One effective strategy involved placing me in front of the record player, where I would be pacified by the sounds of Elvis and Beatles 45s on continuous replay. As time went on, this makeshift setup evolved to include improvised drums made from pots, pans, and wooden spoons, among other items. Despite the initial challenges, some might jest that little has changed since those early days.

John's journey into percussion began in the fourth grade with snare drum lessons, which eventually lead to his involvement in high school with various musical ensembles such as concert band, marching band, and jazz ensemble. His musical horizons expanded further during high school when he ordered a set of 11 records for $1 from Columbia House, one of which was Aerosmith's Toys In The Attic. Hearing that album proved to be a transformative experience, reshaping his understanding of drumming, with its remarkable riffs, intricate guitar arrangements, and a robust rhythm section anchored by Joey Kramer's distinctive drumming style. The blend of blues-oriented hard rock not only captivated John but also inspired a desire to create music that moved people.

As John developed as a musician, he sought guidance from acclaimed drummers such as Bobby Rondinelli and Rod Morgenstein. His diverse musical journey includes collaborations with various bands, including Pegasus, Friday Nite in London, Rosanna, Knockout Drops, Crossing Streams, Squawbrook, and SoulRunner. Throughout his career, John has engaged in extensive studio work and at one point was signed to Maverick Records.