Mach Bell Experience Boston Debut... 5/20...MBE!!
Once a Rocker Always a Rocker
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Cowboy Mach Bell
Born January 23, 1953 in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Mach is an American rock musician, educator and author, best known as lead vocalist with rock bands Thundertrain, the Joe Perry Project and currently the Mach Bell Experience.
Cowboy Mach never worked at the rodeo and he can't even ride a horse. Classically trained on the cello as a child, Mach switched to the electric guitar during the Swinging 60's. At the start of the 70's he switched again - this time to lead singer.
Bell's rock'n'roll singing career blossomed, leading to gigs that included five years touring and recording with Natick MA's THUNDERTRAIN, a stint on the West Coast working and performing with CIRCUS VARGAS, followed by an unexpected wild ride, joining forces with America's quintessential rock star: JOE PERRY(Aerosmith).
Joe officially gave Mach his nickname "Cowboy" during their time writing, recording and touring together in the JOE PERRY PROJECT (Once a Rocker Always a Rocker LP, MCA Universal/Geffen Records 1983).
A lifelong diarist, Bell compiled journals of his rock'n'roll exploits. His debut 2019 book, "Once a Rocker Always a Rocker: A Diary" was released to a rowdy & warm reception. The audiobook edition hit the market a year later.
More recently, Cowboy's 20-year (1965-85) rock memoir "I Gotta Rock" was published in late 2021. Cowboy calls it a "prequel, sequel and return to the gritty scene" of his first book.
Mach Bell is Staff Emeritus of the Macomber Center in Framingham MA. This year he will be inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame.
Mach Bell Discography:
1975 THUNDERTRAIN - I'm So Excited/Cindy Is a Sleeper - United National Records
1976 THUNDERTRAIN - Hot For Teacher/Love the Way - Jelly Records
1977 THUNDERTRAIN - Teenage Suicide LP - Jelly Records
1977 THUNDERTRAIN - Live at the Rat (compilation LP) - Rat Records
1979 THUNDERTRAIN - Best of the Boston Beat (WCOZ comp) - Infinity Records
1981 MAG 4 - Mag 4 Go Monte Carlo/Man With No Name - Pure & Easy Records
1983 JOE PERRY PROJECT - Once a Rocker Always a Rocker LP - MCA Universal Records
1999 JOE PERRY PROJECT - The Best of the Joe Perry Project CD - Raven Records
2001 JOE PERRY PROJECT - Once a Rocker Always a Rocker CD - MCA/Geffen
2001 LAST MAN STANDING - Last Man Standing CD - LMS Records
2002 THUNDERTRAIN - Teenage Suicide - original 9 tracks & 6 bonus tracks. CD - Gulcher Records
2004 THUNDERTRAIN -Hell Tonite! Recorded Live in 1979 CD - Gulcher Records
2005 MACH 5 - Meet Mach 5 - Lawless Records
Cowboy Mach Bell Books:
2019 ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY Panther Rock Books
2020 AUDIOBOOK ONCE A ROCKER: A DIARY w/ NEW FINAL CHAPTER Audible
2021 I GOTTA ROCK Panther Rock Books
photo: Michael Lovett
coming to BOSTON
The Square Root, 2 Corinth St, BOSTON, Doors open at 8pm, 21+, $15 cover (no advance tickets)
05/20 showtimes:
10:30pm Mach Bell Experience
9:30pm The Claws (from L.A.)
8:30pm Girl With A Hawk
MBE
The MACH BELL EXPERIENCE (MBE) is a hard-riffing quintet banging out Blazing-Hot live versions of Mach's JOE PERRY PROJECT and THUNDERTRAIN classics w/ brand new, original Blues-Rock nuggets mixed-in. Served Dirty, Fresh and Heavy. Hell yea!
"That set the tenor for what was undeniably the highlight of Hallapalooza: the debut performance of Mach’s new band the Mach Bell Experience! Ably supported by guitarist Johnny Press (who did a stupendous job recreating those Joe Perry riffs) and bassist Joe Black (former member of ‘70s loco rockers Balloon). The Cowboy kicked off his set with Chuck Berry’s “Round and Round” and swaggered through selections from his Thundertrain and Joe Perry Project days, along with cool covers of T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get it On)” and Yardbirds “I’m Not Talking.”
His stage presence was as magnetic and raucous as ever, whether giving a rock lesson with “Walk with Me Sally,” donning a king’s crown during “King of the Kings” or attempting to destroy maracas (unsuccessfully, as it turned out!) after shakin’ them during “Four Guns West!”
Hard to believe Mach hasn’t played live with a rock band in a decade, but he’s certainly been making the rounds lately with his newfound success as an author for his two memoirs of his prime rocking days, and he finished his set with what he described as a song, an album, a book and his raison d’ etre: “ Way to go, Cowboy!" Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker!”
BOSTON GROUPIE NEWS 9/26/22
Here's JOHNNY...
JOHNNY PRESS is the lead guitar rocket guiding the Mach Bell Experience. Johnny is Mach's longtime musical colleague and now, his songwriting partner and bandmate in the MBE. The Plan: Johnny assembles the band, gets it cookin' and hands it over to Mach to lead the charge and live up to his name out in front. In late April '22, Johnny began putting together the players and rehearsing the show. He phoned Cowboy "Listen Mach, don't even come down until I tell ya we're ready."
Johnny's helmed scores of rock bands
(Gross National Productions, Velocity, Big Guns, Smokin' Joe, Burning Sky). His just-released solo record is titled
Johnny Press Nuclear Gypsy.
"If I could play guitar like anyone it would be Johnny Press."
- Tom Werman, record producer
JEFF TREMBLAY
Jeff Tremblay, hard-rock guitarist and vocalist .. MBE began as a quartet (like the JPP line up) but wanted to expand into the 5 member( like Thundertrain ) two guitar line-up. Jeff fit the bill and brings much more. Making himself indispensible, Jeff was quickly sworn into the club. JT rips on the Stratocaster, sings like a bird and brings the party every night!
AL D’ALLESSANDRO
Generating massive backbeats, Al D’ (they call him “The Count”) hits the stage hard with Fists of Fury flying. MBE is proud to welcome this certified Black Belt, hard-rock drummer & vocalist to the MB Experience All-Star line-up!
“Al D’Allessandro on drums brought muscle and bustle to MBE classics “4 Guns West,” “Cindy is a Sleeper” and of course signature songs “I Gotta Rock” and “Once a Rocker Always a Rocker!”
- BGN review
JOE BLACK RISES
When Joe isn't lying motionless in his crypt ...he ROCKS!
Joe Black eats rock. He breathes it. He checks his eye-liner, straps on a spooky-looking bass guitar and delivers.
Joe's got a heavy solo album out called "Blackenstein" and
Mach is bloody-well psyched to have this monster playing in the MBE line-up! Behold the satanic rock'n'roll rites of Joe Black. Or you'll be sorry!
MACH BELL EXPERIENCE - LIVE!
5/20 Square Root, 2 Corinth St. Roslindale w/ The Claws (L.A.), Girl With A Hawk
7/1 Music Cons, Boxboro, MBE (performance time TBA) Micky Dolenz, The Fools, more...
7/21 Race Street Live (at Gateway City Arts), 114 Race St. Holyoke MA
8/25 The Back Room at the Burren w/ the Cynz (NYC), 247 Elm St. Davis Sq. Somerville
9/30 Regent Theater, Arlington NE Music Hall of Fame Awards
MBE will perform live w/, Goldie (Genya Ravan) & the Gingerbreads, Lizzie Borden & the Axes & more…
MORE DETAILS ON "EVENTS" PAGE
ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY
ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY
My debut book is based on the road diaries I kept during the early 80's. "Once a Rocker Always a Rocker: A Diary" is a first-hand account of how I get & manage to keep my job as lead singer with Joe Perry and his Project and the adventures that ensue over the next two and half years. Rocking, recording, laughing, fighting & touring all over the place with the JOE PERRY PROJECT!
ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY
ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY
ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY
On the Road with The JOE PERRY PROJECT in the Big 80’s.
On the Road with The JOE PERRY PROJECT in the Big 80’s.
On the Road with The JOE PERRY PROJECT in the Big 80’s.
On the Road with The JOE PERRY PROJECT in the Big 80’s. The Untold Story, Unveiled in Amazing Detail.
Rock’n’Roll’s Most Freewheeling - but Ultimately Doomed Band. Outrageous, Uproarious and 100% Genuine.
True Tales from the Trenches of American Hard Rock. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry needed a singer for his Joe Perry Project. Out of nowhere, I got drafted. It was like winning the lottery. Much better though - because lotteries only pay cash. For the next two years I experienced things that money just can’t buy. Living on the road and singing alongside America’s quintessential rock star lead guitarist, Admiral Joe Perry. Playing adventurous, rebellious music on big stages to crowds, signing autographs, finding romance and partying with my idols. I was suddenly on top.
At that same moment Joe Perry was spiraling downward. Health failing, marriage dissolving and deeply in debt.
In order to stay one foot ahead of the tallyman, the ex-Aerosmith star jumped into a van and hit the road. Taking me and a few other newbies along on a mad dash across North America - and beyond.
Taking any gig he could get.
ONCE A ROCKER ALWAYS A ROCKER: A DIARY
326 pages, with rare photographs.
Once a Rocker Always a Rocker: A DIARY
On the Road with The JOE PERRY PROJECT in the Big 80’s.
On the Road with The JOE PERRY PROJECT in the Big 80’s.
"Mach really did a great job on this.
Recommended big time!"
CARTER ALAN
Author of The Decibel Diaries, Radio Free Boston and Outside is America: U2 in the U.S.
"I like the fact that (this) is authentic.”
MITCH LAFON - Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon
“5 stars out of 5 stars.”
THOMAS S. ORWAT JR. RockMusicStar.com
“I’m THRILLED that you’ve put out this book. This is the LOST ERA…and to get it from somebody who was there!”
JULIAN GILL - Author of "Aerosmith - On Tour 1973 - 85" and host of Look! It’s Rock’N’Roll
"Once A Rocker" AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS. Venmo or Paypal.
Personalized by rock singer & author Cowboy Mach Bell
- autographed copies of Mach's top-rated memoir. One price includes EVERYTHING: The Diary, free shipping and even an official BookMach to help save your place.
Please order using LINKS below. Be SURE to INCLUDE your MAILING ADDRESS and the name you want me to personalize the book to. Fast, free Shipping!
Send $24.98 per book to:
Sorry, we can ship to USA only. paypal.me/CowboyMach
Cowboy's 2nd book is here! I GOTTA ROCK
"Mach’s story is one that resonates.” - BOSTON GROUPIE NEWS
"Among the best I've ever read! You get the meat & potatoes - you get exactly what you would hope for in a book. "
JOEY SUTO - Host of Rock Show Critique
"its the From Here to Eternity of rock memoirs"
WILLIE LOCO ALEXANDER
"LOVED I GOTTA ROCK ...You told the story so well - lots of detail and heightened tales."
T. MAX - The Noise
First rock concert: The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968.
Crashing on L.A.’s Sunset Strip in 1974.
Writing and recording with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry in 1983
“Cowboy Mach Bell is best known as rock singer/songwriter with the Joe Perry Project and the earlier, celebrated band out of Natick MA called Thundertrain (1974-79) whose pulsating 1976 single Hot For Teacher (pre-Van Halen) lands Mach Bell in the frontlines of the explosive rock’n’roll/glam/punk music scene orbiting around the Rat in Kenmore Square and CBGB in New York City.
Later, Mach tours with thirteen elephants and a dozen showgirls in Circus Vargas, but that’s a whole ‘nother chapter.
I Gotta Rock is an up close and personal memoir documenting twenty years spent chasing a rock’n’roll dream and, for some magical years, actually capturing it. Return to 1965 -1985. Years that rarely allow Cowboy Mach a moment of peace as he records and performs with Biggy Ratt, the Wild Bunch, Joe Flash and the Screamin' Ya-Ya Girls and even the Mechanical Onions. Included are teenage tales of Bell’s daring cross-country hitch hiking escapades at age 16. Mach’s backstage memories of the Runaways, DMZ, Mink DeVille, Alan Vega, Reddy Teddy, The Fast, the Dictators, Willie Alexander, Stiv Bators, the Dead Boys and Phil Lynott… and for the first time ever, Mach Bell’s remarkable circus diary is finally unveiled.”
I Gotta Rock, 492 pages, Nearly 200 photographs, #1 New Release on Amazon
CLICK image to access Amazon order page.
Photo: 16 Magazine from 1976.
"I Gotta Rock" AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS! order with PayPal or Venmo
I'll autograph my latest book to you & send it out in the morning mail! $27.99 includes EVERYTHING: the book, shipping and a kustom BookMach too!
Be SURE to include your mailing address and the name you want my autograph personalized to. Please send $27.99 to www.venmo.com/u/MachBell or paypal below
FIVE STAR RATINGS FOR THE AUDIOBOOK
CLICK THIS POSTER AND HEAR IT FOR YOURSELF!
The deluxe, expanded AUDIOBOOK of “Once a Rocker Always a Rocker: A Diary” is now available at Audible, Amazon and iTunes/AppleBooks.
Featuring monumental Boston rocker Greg“Earthquake”Morton as Mach's co-narrator. The whole Diary is included PLUS...
Boston radio personality, author and rock historian Carter Alan joins in with his Thundertrain and Joe Perry Project insights (& some buried treasure)…
But there’s more! Joe Perry Project members Danny Hargrove and Charlie Farren drop by to spin personal road tales.
Vivid, new stories are shared, old questions are finally answered, and a gripping, new Final Chapter is premiered…
AUTOGRAPHED CDS
Once a Rocker Always a Rocker
10 studio tracks. Includes seven Bell/Perry collaborations. 1983 Joe Perry Project classic. Produced by Joe Perry with Harry King. Licensed by Universal Music/MCA Issued in the Netherlands. I will break the seal & sign it to you.
AUTOGRAPHED CD $29.99
THUNDERTRAIN 1979 - RECORDED LIVE!
13 live tracks. Starfleet mobile production, originally aired as a Lesley Palmiter special on FM powerhouse WCOZ.
Gulcher Records brings you this no holds-barred live 2/1/79 Thundertrain concert at the Summit, Peabody MA.
Liner notes by Mach Bell. Includes Hot For Teacher, Dirty Water, Mama Weer All Krazee Now, Counterattack, I Gotta Rock & more. Autographed CD $19.99
MACH BELL'S WILD BAR BAND FROM 2005!
10 studio tracks. Lawless Records. Mach Bell went back to the city in 2004 and Mach 5 happened! Great sounding arena-punk-hard-rock from Mach, Dee Stroy, Jeff Thomas and Jimmy Birmingham.
Liner notes by Mach Bell.
Get It Up, Quincy Girl, Kenmore Square and seven more! Autographed CD $19.99
PAYPAL or VENMO . With payment PLEASE include your (USA Only) mailing address, the CD(s) requested and the name(s) you'd like me to inscribe my signature to! You can always contact me (up top) here on the page!
- Always a Rocker, Mach