FIDELITY: CHAD PERRONE

Listening to one of singer-songwriter Chad Perrone’s albums will likely cause the corners of your lips to curve downward. Talking with him over a few beers, however, will make your face hurt from smiling. Originally from Haverhill, Perrone was the lead singer of the Boston-based band Averi from 1998 to 2005. Since leaving the band, he has recorded four albums, including a live CD, and has five Boston Music Award nominations to his credit. His latest release, Release, was released in April 2010. He is currently writing songs for a new album, and is performing at the Middle East Upstairs this Friday.

Most creative people try to emulate those who inspire them. Whom do you try to avoid sounding like at all costs?
I just don’t want someone to hear me and think, “Wow, that’s the most shallow thing I’ve heard in my life.” Like the stuff on KISS 108. It’s not so much a who as a what that I try to avoid. Ok, maybe Jack Johnson.

According to a website on the Internet called chadperronemusic.com, you will be doing some of the drumming on your upcoming album. Is this in order to join the small but illustrious group of singer/drummers that includes Don Henley, Phil Collins, and the guy from The Romantics’ video “What I Like About You”?
Having to pay studio musicians is something I try to avoid. They might have to edit the hell out of the drums, though. I wouldn’t mind joining the likes of Phil Collins, but I would have to improve my drumming by 100,000%. I wouldn’t mind having his bank account, either.

Is it comforting to know that you have training as a lab technician at a local hospital to fall back on if this whole music thing doesn’t work out?
Actually, that’s probably what keeps me pursuing music. I loved the people I worked with [including me-BSM], but I hated the job.

When does Averi plan to do a money-making extravaganza reunion tour?
I have spoken with a couple of the guys, coz I think that it would be fun to play the songs again. But the break-up wasn’t exactly amicable. Plus, I don’t think that anyone remembers who Averi was, except my mother. Sometimes she thinks I’m still in the band.

C’mon, you guys were pretty popular, right?
We sold out the Paradise in advance once, and played to 1400 people at Avalon [now House of Blues Boston]. I headlined Paradise once, and came 10 tickets away from selling it out. I haven’t sold 1400 tickets since playing with Averi.

You have a pretty bubbly personality in real life. On record, not so much, as the kids would say. Are you on pro- or antidepressants?
Nope, neither.

Writing songs is my antidepressant. I’m like the biggest goofball you’ll ever meet, but songwriting is not the place for that. If things are going fine, I don’t typically write lyrics.

What is your favorite new album of 2011?
It’s probably too easy, and might come across as cliché, but probably the new Bon Iver record. The Foo Fighters’ latest is the most overrated.

How does the number of times that you have played the Middle East Upstairs compare to the number of times that you have sung the national anthem at Fenway Park?
I have played the Middle East, including with Averi, maybe three times. I sang the national anthem at Fenway once, on September 1, 2004. I don’t belong at the Middle East upstairs. They have a very distinctive crowd, and I am grateful that they let me bring my own brand of pussy rock there.

CHAD PERRONE
w/DEATH BY FAME, CAHILL, BRAD CALLOW
FRIDAY 8.19.11
MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS
472 MASS AVE, CENTRAL SQ
DOORS AT 8PM/18+/$15
TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA TICKETWEB AND THE MIDDLE EAST BOX OFFICE

FIDELITY IS DIG BOSTON’S COLUMN WHEREIN WRITERS WHO HAVE FRIENDS IN BANDS INTERVIEW THEIR FRIENDS IN BANDS.