Welcome to a conversation with
PETE RILEY
Pete was kind enough to answer questions posed to him to let us get to know him a little better. Many thanks, Pete! We are looking forward to your return to the EMB Tour!
MSN: Where and when were you born?
PETE: 26/02/69 in Liverpool, England, same hospital as Sir Paul McCartney!
MSN: Tell us about your first guitar and do you still own it?
PETE: The guitar I learned to play on was a 1958 Gibson j45 which belongs to my dad (he still has it), so I was spoiled a little although I didn't realize it at the time. The first guitar I owned was a copy of a Gibson L7 which is a big hollowed bodied jazz guitar. I remember my first gig with it...it was almost as big as me!! Regretfully, I don't have it anymore...although I wish I did.
MSN: What was the first rock n roll concert you attended and what albums were in your collection as a teenager?
PETE: I suppose the first real show I went to was a Squeeze concert at the Liverpool Royal Court...I was blown away. The band were fantastic. Glen Tilrook, to this day, has to be one of the most underrated singer/songwriter/guitarists I have ever seen...amazing!
Albums - As a teenager, it would have been the Beatles...everyone of them! My dad plays guitar so there was always good stuff to listen to around the house when I was growing up...Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King...but it was mainly the Beatles.
MSN: At what point in your life did you realize that singer/songwriter would be your profession?
PETE: I think it was pretty early on about the age of 12/13.
MSN: What other types of jobs have you had in the past?
PETE: I've been lucky in that I have always been able to make a living playing music. Liverpool has always been a big music city...probably due to its Celtic connections - Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
MSN: You opened for Edwin and the band years ago. How is it that you came to be a part of the Edwin McCain Band?
PETE: I was in a band called Treehouse who were on Atlantic Records so we were label mates. We opened for Edwin during the summer of '97. Edwin and I struck up a great friendship. When Treehouse eventually split, I was fortunate enough to be asked to join Edwin's band.
MSN: Do you recall your best and worst stage performances?
PETE: Worst...would have to be the Whiskey in L.A. with my band Treehouse. We had invited all the record labels to the show. It was packed, however as soon as we hit the stage, my amplifier blew up during the first song...It was like something out of a Kiss concert! Half the labels just walked out there and then. However, this somehow led to a record deal so go figure. Best...there has been too many to mention.
MSN: What is the funniest/strangest thing you've seen someone in the audience say or do while you were performing?
PETE: When we played White Crosses in L.A., there was a guy rockin out to it. As it is a really solemn and sad song, it made me laugh. If I remember rightly most of that day was surreal for the whole band.
MSN: You've toured throughout the entire USA with the Edwin McCain Band. If you were to ever relocate here, which city or region would you settle in and why?
PETE: Not really sure,but New York and Charleston are pretty cool places.
MSN: Of the places you have seen, what is your favorite city in the USA?
PETE: Chicago, New York and I like the South a lot...but they put ice in their tea... what's that all about?
MSN: What can you tell us about yourself that you think would surprise us?
PETE: I am really scared of flying (which doesn't help in my job) and I am terrified of spiders. If we ever get one in the house, Pete junior has to deal with it while I'm running up and down screaming!!
MSN: Finally, who's music are you listening to these days?
PETE: Peter Gabriel has to be one of the most talented artists I have ever heard...His music has such a huge spiritual element to it. I have also seen him live quite a few times and his shows are something else. He would be someone who I would love to meet.
Peace and Love,
Pete
