Those working class roots make me
thankful for everyday, as opposed to getting caught up in any kind of star trip.
Bales on trumpet and [multi-instrumentalist] Steve Eisen, who really is an icon
in Chicago.
IE: The Ides Of March always seemed to
get along and that definitely isn't all
that common in a rock band. What do
you attribute that to?
JP: The Ides are a family and I think what
defines the reason that we stayed together so long and didn't fight is because we
were friends before we were a band. We
didn't necessarily choose each other
IE: Do you think fans are going to be surprised by some of the turmoil you share
in the book about your Survivor days?
JP: Obviously the people in my circle
won't be surprised because they knew
what I went through. You know, I made
sure I gave [guitarist] Frankie [Sullivan]
the credit he deserves. There wouldn't be
a Survivor without Frankie and that's a
10•2014
because Larry was the best guitar player
or Bob was the best bass player or even
that Mike [Borch] was the best drummer.
We knew each other in grade school as
pals, so we already knew we got along.
The fact that we all played instruments
was a bonus and we grew into a great
band by nature of practice and work and
the love of the music. We didn't start out
to be a great band, but we became that.
And 50 years later, we're still a family,
the original four that practiced in Larry's
basement that first day- the first gig was
Oct. 16, 1964…Tragically John Larson,
who was the screeching high trumpet,
passed away four years ago and no one
will ever equal his tone, then Chuck
Soumar, the other trumpet player, left
the band two years ago. Now we not
only have Dave Stahlberg on trombonewe've had him since '91- but also Tim
truism. I think every band needs that
dichotomy- the Lennon & McCartney or
Jagger & Richards thing. The tension
helped create what we were, but it didn't
mean it was pleasant for me or probably
for him. I guess it was a bit of a rivalry. I
think he really, really respected me and I
respected him, but we didn't always see
eye to eye, and of course, the biggest
stumbling block for me was I was used
to being the front man, lead singer and
lead guitarist for The Ides Of March, and
suddenly through Frankie's passiveaggressive type of actions, I realized that
this wasn't going to work and that I was
going to be the keyboard guy, the background vocalist and I was not going to
talk to the crowd. He was going to talk to
the crowd or the lead singer was going to
talk to the crowd, which was a huge
adjustment for me because I was nur-
10 illinoisentertainer.com october 2014
October 7
The Dead Milkmen – Pretty Music For Pretty People
Inspiral Carpets – Inspiral Carpets
Johnny Marr - Playland
Minus The Bear – Lost Loves
SBTRKT – Wonder Where We Land
Philip Selway (from Radiohead) - Weatherhouse
Weezer – Everything Will Be Alright in The End
October 14
Devon A X[