Franky Perez and the Truth

As a singer Perez has been compared by peers and critics to Robert Plant, Otis Redding, Joe Cocker, Howlin Wolf and Paul Rodgers. Franky Perez has paid the high price for low living, has survived the blues, and earned the right to sing them.
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Perez was an artist from the day he was born. The son of Cuban immigrants, his mother was a folk singer and poet that would perform at various functions, her young son right beside her providing backing vocals and on occasion playing the spoons or whatever other makeshift instruments he could find. A natural talent, by 16 he was already a seasoned veteran of the Las Vegas music scene, performing at bars and venues he wasn’t even old enough to attend.

It was no surprise to anyone when Atlantic Records snapped him up, and his debut self produced album “Poor Man’s Son” was released in 2003 to critical acclaim. Containing 17 tracks of impassioned honest songwriting, it led AllMusic to state that “he successfully experiments with a buffet of tastes including sultry blues, roots rock and anthemic pop.” VH1 soon picked up the video for the single “Something Crazy” and CMT.com listed the album on their list of top 20 gems of 2003.

After touring for over a year, Perez returned to his native Las Vegas to write and recharge and in the winter of 2004, recorded his second album, “My 4th of July” in the intimacy of his own home. Fulfilling a need to create a body of work that was true to his own vision and himself, Perez produced and played his own drum parts, guitar, keyboards, and sang vocals at his own pace in his own control room. Having the freedom to press ‘record’ whenever he wanted, he produced a body of work with a cohesiveness and honesty of which Perez is incredibly proud. The songwriting is tight, well crafted, and highly accessible. The production is both dynamic and pleasing while allowing Perez the freedom to express his clear and soulful voice. ‘My 4th Of July’ was released in 2005 and Perez spent much of that year and 2006 touring in support of the album.

By the time the touring cycle was wrapping up however, Perez had developed “expensive habits that he couldn’t afford” and was paying the price personally for his success. It became clear to him that time out was needed and he stepped away from the spotlight for the whole of 2007.

After a year of soul searching and major change, Perez would step back onto the world’s stage in 2008 as part of the band Scars on Broadway (Interscope) with Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan (both of the band System of a Down). Assuming the role of guitarist, the band played their first show at the historic Whiskey a Go Go in Los Angeles with the album release following closely in July that same year.

By the time Malakian’s personal reasons led him to have to cancel the bands North American tour, the music industry was already sitting up and taking notice of the now heavily bearded guitarist. Recruited to lend his vocals to Camp Freddy’s live shows on continual and numerous occasions, in 2009, legendary guitarist Slash, confirmed his live band and announced Perez on vocals. When not on the road with Slash, Perez had also formed a new collaboration with Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver) and tracks began appearing online under the moniker ‘DKFXP’. Initially offered as free downloads, it wasn’t long before they got the call saying Meat Loaf had heard ‘Party of One’ and wanted to make it his own. The track would be recorded by him and released on his 2012 album ‘Hell in a Handbasket’.

It was this same year that Perez would also get the call to lend his vocals to a cover of ‘Slip Kid’ with Anvil for the FX television series ‘Sons of Anarchy’ a relationship that continues to this day with Perez working on music for the 5th season in a row as well as performing live with the Sons Of Anarchy band The Forest Rangers featuring Katey Sagal. The Forest Rangers are booked to appear at 2013’s Stage Coach Festival.

A new cover band comprised of musicians and Ducati enthusiasts, calling themselves the Ducati All-Stars, featured Perez on vocals, Billy Morrison (The Cult), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Chris Wyse (The Cult), Jason Bonham (Led Zepplin), Donovan Leitch (Camp Freddy) and Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray). Their debut performance was at the Roxy Theatre on January 2 and that spring they set off on an acoustic West Coast tour. Riding from LA to Seattle, playing low key intimate shows, the tour married up Rock n Roll and Motorcycles proving that the 2 combined does not, in the words of Billy Morrison, always mean “long haired hippies and choppers”.

Tour done, Perez would now draw from his 2004 recording experience when he and industry legend David “Beno” Benvinesti discovered 15-year-old Jackson Guthy and took on the role of mentor/producer/songwriter. A year spent in development and with a performance on Ellen already under the now 16 year old Jacksons’ belt, Perez also worked tirelessly with him on his live show that saw Jackson through touring arenas across the US with Big Time Rush and One Direction, as well as securing him a deal with Universal Republic.

In 2012, Perez along with Dave Kushner/Velvet Revolver, Scott Shriner/Weezer, Joey Castillo/Queens Of The Stone Age, and Dave Warren/The Simpsons formed PusherJones and released an EP. The single ‘Count Me Out,’ written by Perez and Kushner, was featured on the soundtrack for The Avengers.

That same year Perez was bestowed the honor of being the vocalist for The Doors at the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles, California.

Franky Perez has always been a prolific artist but 2013 may be proving to be the most creative of his career. With two albums worth of new material, he has begun work on his third studio album entitled ADDICT.

ADDICT may be the most honest music he’s ever written…his own very personal journey of love, loss and vices 3 things he knows only too well. His story is one that has seen the best of highs and the worst of lows; he carved his name and poured his blood, sweat, and tears into every song.

As Perez’s career continues to go from strength to strength, his only problem now is not having enough hours in the day. Perez and his band ‘The Truth’ are staples on the LA and Las Vegas live circuit, Ducati AllStars are riding again including a 2012 trip to Italy for performances at Ducati Bike Week, PusherJones is working on material for a full length album, Sons of Anarchy premiered a new season once again featuring music by Perez, and all projects (as well as a few others) will remain ongoing.