Q and A with Gary Brown

Gary Brown, frontman for the blues-rock band Bushmaster, recently sat down with the Sun-Gazette to talk about his 30 years as a guitarist, his work with the band and his upcoming visit to Williamsport.

Bushmaster's discography includes "Consider the Source," "Drowning on Dry Land" and "Live & Blue." They will perform at 10 p.m. Jan. 30 at Rumrunners Pub and Eatery, 341 N. Market St.

Jackie Szymanski: First of all, I'm curious about the name "Bushmaster." Where did that come from?

Gary Brown: Well, No. 1, it's the name of a snake that I'm into. I'm into snakes and the bushmaster is a type of pit viper. It's also an analogy for being deadly as far as taking care of business, you know. If I set out to slay a group of people, musically, that's what I'll do.

JS: So, who is "Bushmaster," you or the band as a whole?

GB: Well, it refers to the band, but since members come and go and I'm the only constant in the band, I guess it's more of an alter ego of mine.

JS: Where are you originally from?

GB: I'm from Palmer Park, Ma., outside of D.C. It's also the home of Sugar Ray Leonard.

JS: Who are the members of Bushmaster?

GB: There are three of us on tour: the drummer, Chuck Fuerte, who is Maryland-based like me; Vinnie Hunter on bass, who's from Harrisburg; and myself.

JS: Where do you get ideas for songs? What are you inspired by?

GB: Life. Social injustice. My continual surprise at man's brutality to other men. I'm actually kind of a politically inclined sort of person, so I derive inspiration from those things.

JS: Can you describe the band's sound to me?

GB: I would call us funky-blues-rock.

JS: What has been your favorite venue?

GB: Let me see. Delmarva Bike Week in Berlin, Ma., for the Harley-Davidson people - that was awesome! We haven't played in Williamsport yet, but I've heard good things about it. Basically everywhere I go is my favorite place to play.

JS: You've played guitar for more than 30 years. How did you get your start with the instrument?

GB: Just like everybody else did. It was to help in social situations. All right, I'm going to be honest here: it was to get girls. It then became a lifelong friend. But any guy who says he started to play guitar for any other reason than to get girls is either crazy or lying. I just want to keep it real.

JS: Who are some of your personal influences, musically?

GB: George Clinton, of course! Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, of course, Freddie King - well, all the Kings: Freddie, Albert, B.B. - all three Kings!

JS: If your music was going to be featured on a movie soundtrack, what sort of film would it be?

GB: It would fit into a variety of settings, but I think it would be a good soundtrack for a movie about struggle. Struggle or drama, because most of it was birthed as a result of struggle and drama.

JS: Can you give me an example of one of your songs that was a product of struggle?

GB: "Hard Word" or "Drowning on Dry Land." Both are about seeing the inequalities in society - barriers and obstacles we have to overcome and goals we have to keep struggling for.

JS: What is your ultimate musical goal? When you write a new song or get on stage to perform, what do you hope to achieve?

GB: Well, it's catharsis for me and, as far as everyone else, enlightenment. If that sounds a little arrogant, I'm really not some sort of great god who thinks he can enlighten everyone, but maybe everyone can have a little catharsis together and a little enlightenment together. I basically want everyone to be bathed in good vibes. I hope that doesn't sound too '60s!

JS: I saw on your MySpace page that you want to be a part of a benefit for the Haiti disaster, could you tell me a bit more about that?

GB: I just would like to be able to do my part to help the people who have done so much for our country. Because of the Haitian resistance driving out the French, we were able to significantly increase the size of our country with the Louisiana purchase.

That was a direct result of the Haitian defiance of French authority. It's a little bit of history that most people don't know but I, personally, feel that I owe them a debt for that.