It might be a really old saying, but Jerry Scag is the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.
On the outside, he looks like an extra from the 1983 classic movie “The Outsiders” starring Patrick Swayze and Matt Dillon. Jerry’s long dark hair and his propensity for wearing black make him look like every teenage girls’ parent’s nightmare – the brooding, rock-n-roll bad boy, and nothing could be further from the truth.
“I’m actually a very shy and kind person,” he says. “I don’t always look it or sound it, but I’m the sensitive type with a hard outer shell.”
Born and raised in New Jersey – the stomping grounds of Bruce Springsteen, one of his all-time musical heroes – Jerry says he was born into a musical family, but it was an iconic 70s band that really turned him on to music.
“I was a real KISS freak which really motivated me to start a band so I could be a chick magnet,” he says laughing.
Other major bands and artists of the 1970s filled Jerry’s head and heart with inspiration… David Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Queen, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath posters lined his walls and filled his ears with some of the sweetest rock music ever recorded.
As Jerry grew from a teenager to a young man, his musical tastes grew to include more mature singer/songwriters like John Cougar Mellencamp and Tom Petty.
Even with his earliest attempts at writing two-chord songs, Jerry says the creative process was amazing to experience.
“The feeling of creating something from nothing was incredible, and it still is today,” he says. “Letting my brain hear something in my head and then trying to get it down – it’s a tough but rewarding process.”
Jerry joined various bands and played clubs both well-known and obscure from New York to New Jersey, until his mid 20s, when he says he “got away from music for a while to the point where I didn’t even open my guitar case.”
He took the break to pursue acting, another of his creative loves. Jerry says the break from music stemmed from his disgust with band members “not showing up or quitting for some lame reason.” After several years, he says the lure of writing and playing his own music grew too strong to ignore, but instead of depending on half-committed band members, Jerry plays and records everything himself.
On Jerry’s tracks, he runs the gamut from blues crooner to rock troubadour to heart-on-his-sleeve ballad singer, in a style that nestles comfortably somewhere between the coolness of John Lennon, the Jersey Boy swagger of Springsteen and the retro every-man stylings of Lenny Kravitz, with just the right amount of alternative country twang and indie-rock DIY ethics.
“When I finish a new song, it’s almost like giving birth,” he says. “It’s such a good feeling. After it’s all said and done, I love my music, and I hate my music. One day I like it and the next I don’t. One day I like my voice and the next I don’t. But it is what it is, and in the end, it’s me expressing myself, which ain’t always pretty.”
Pretty or not, Jerry sums up his music in a few terse, tough words.
“I find my music hard to describe. You know, I write them like I feel them and don’t try to fit songs into a certain label or box.”
Whether he’s rockin’ out on heavier songs or pouring his heart out in a softer song, Jerry gives it his all, or as he says, “I try like hell.”
Just wanted to say thank you for bein our friend and givin us the support you have done. Cant believe we have only had this space up for a couple of months and already so many people backing us! If its not too cheeky and obviously only if your not busy could you come on our page and give us a comment on our stuff! It would be reatly appreciated. Also we are giving away free 'I love suzy' t-shirts (to go with our first single) with everyone who signs up to our mailing list so get involved if you want! Thanks for reading this and i hope i didnt bore you! ha. p.s. even if you dont come on our page and comment, thank you for bein our friend on here!
Hi long time no speak hope ur OK...we are sorry if we have neglected you but we have been really busy in the studio working on our FREE EP.....so firstly un need to make sure u have registered on the mailing list to enable to download it......secondly we are gonna be the normal cheeky guys u know and love and wondered if u could pop on over to our page and leave us a lovely comment when u have some spare time...Thirdly please take a look at our Brit Bus video and leave a comment....and last of all we want to thank you for your support and we hope to be out on the road very soon and hope to see u there. 10 reasons to live x
Thanks for being a friend. Read my profile, get a free full length 19 Tracks CD, for absolutely nothing. I mean nothing, like no shipping, no handling, no bull!
Just wanted to say thank you for bein our friend and givin us the support you have done. Cant believe we have only had this space up for a couple of months and already so many people backing us! If its not too cheeky and obviously only if your not busy could you come on our page and give us a comment on our stuff! It would be reatly appreciated. Also we are giving away free 'I love suzy' t-shirts (to go with our first single) with everyone who signs up to our mailing list so get involved if you want! Thanks for reading this and i hope i didnt bore you! ha. p.s. even if you dont come on our page and comment, thank you for bein our friend on here!
Its FINALLY here...Our brand new acoustic EP is available to download NOW its going to be FREE until Saturday 10th October so what u waiting for ha.. Only from www.10reasonstolive.com. Heres a little taster for you...once u have downloaded dont forget to let us know which song is your favourite xxx
drink clear water. breath deep and slowly. go outside and enjoy the nature. don't trust your ego - trust your fellings. follow your dreams. beware of illusions. if you do this i promise you: your life will change the best way!
kind regards! wolfgang
DREAMSCAPE (progressive metal from germany) new cd february 2010!
Hey, I hope you’re well. I’m still in NYC and I’m excited to have another full band concert coming up soon: Tues, Oct 27, 7.30-9.00 pm Zinc Bar NYC (82 West 3rd Street) I’d love to see you there! Greetings from your Swiss brother, blessings, Vlada www.vladamusic.com
Some house, a bit of soul, a touch of funk and a load of jazz (influence at least). Blend that lot together and the result is something a little bit different, laid back and refreshing. Every other Wednesday afternoon (14:00-16:00 gmt) on SS Radio Deep and Soulful.
