Bryan McPherson – An Xperience Interview

Bryan McPherson – An Xperience Interview – by Rob Smittix.

RRX: Bryan Mc-Fur-Son, I am saying it correct. Right?

BM: Yeah, that works. You can say it either way. I don’t give a sh** anymore. Mc-Fear-Sen, Mc Fur-Son … who cares?

RRX: I’m pretty sure you told me years ago it was Mc-Fur-Son.

BM: The. actual way to pronounce it is Mc-Fur-Son. That’s how the Scottish pronounce it. It’s a Scottish name. Everyone in Boston says Mc-Fear-Sen.

RRX: Well, they’re wrong but it really comes down to how YOU say it.

BM: I stopped participating in that fight. I say it both ways just to f*** with people.

RRX: There you go. I’m pronouncing it the Scottish way.

BM: Sounds good.

RRX: What you been up to these days?

BM: Living in Montana, writing songs, making records, doing shows.

RRX: It seems like you’re always on the road.

BM: I spent a lot of time on the road. I’ve actually not been traveling much in the last few years. So this will be my longest stretch of being on the road in four years.

RRX: Well, good. I’m glad we’re a part of it. I’m already letting everyone know that you’re banned from Disneyland because it’s like the coolest f***ing thing ever.

BM: Yes, I have a habit of getting banned. So, come to the show before I get banned.

RRX: Right? Well, I mean the reason for that is apparently people just don’t always get down with some of the content. I do, I’m all about it. Matter of fact, your song “I See a Flag” is one of my go-tos. I blast it every time I’m doing dishes and sing along. I’m kinda on the same page as your lyrics.

BM: Hopefully you don’t break the dishes while you’re listening.

RRX: Only during the part where it says I’ll be Mad Max …

BM: There you go. That’s how the dishes get done when you listen to my songs. Smash ‘em.

RRX: How did things really get up and rolling for you in the music business?

BM: Well, I started playing everywhere I could play and I still do that. I would play in the subway in Boston. I would play in the park. I would play open mics. I would play sh***y dive bars and I still do it. I’m still trudging along in this musical experience. I still employ the same philosophy, which is go out and play and let the songs and the performance speak for themselves.

That’s the only way I’ve really been able to engage new people interested in my music. The albums are cool, online is cool, but playing live is undeniable. You just have to give people an experience and if you do, they’ll come along for the ride.

RRX: Yeah, absolutely. Playing everywhere and anywhere. You mentioned playing the small places but you’ve also been up on some pretty big stages as well. Obviously toured with Dropkick Murphys in the past. And s***… You did a show with Chuck Berry. What other big ones were there?

BM: I opened up for Alice Cooper once and I played a show with Steve Earle. Those are some of the bigger names I’ve been able to open up for or play with.

RRX: What do you enjoy more, the bigger shows or the intimate ones? Is it pretty much the same? Is just getting out in front of people?

BM: I like playing to people who are interested and engaged. So it can be five people in a living room or 5000 people in a giant club. I don’t like playing to people who don’t give a s***.

RRX: I understand that. There’s nothing like feeling like a jukebox.

BM: I never underestimate people’s ability to not care.

RRX: Yeah. No s***.

BM: The ones that do, I care greatly about. You know? There’s nothing better than connecting with an audience in this creative experience.

RRX: Amen to that. So, what’s your take on UFOs and aliens and s***?

BM: Sure. Why not?

RRX: Well, you’ve got a bigger sky to look at these days. I’ve been seeing UFOs quite frequently since 2022. They say once you see them, you keep seeing them and it seems to be the case and I have several videos to prove it.

BM: Probably a military fly-by with the latest technology around.

RRX: It probably is most likely. I just feel it’s kind of weird that they’re doing it in urban settings. Like I’m seeing this right in the middle of the city areas, which is bizarre. But, yeah, keep your eye to the sky in Big Sky Country.

BM: Things have been getting weird, that’s for sure.

RRX: They have been. I could maybe see a song about that. Have you written a song about how things are getting weird or are they always about that?

BM: I would say they’re always about that. You can listen to my records and hear about some weirdness.

RRX: Last time we talked, you were kinda going in a different direction musically, getting away from the political stuff. Like it was getting irritating to write about it. But I don’t know, I feel like you kind of came back to that a little bit and I’m happy about it.

BM: Yeah, undeniable. I just have to write about what I’m experiencing. in the last few years, I’ve experienced some s***, and it came out in songs.

RRX: When I listen to your music, I’m like, “Finally somebody had to balls to say it.” Honestly, a lot of people are thinking it, and are afraid to say it publicly.

BM: Yes. And I can tell you why … because you get attacked.

RRX: They sure the hell do. I remember putting up a post online and requesting that it doesn’t turn into a political thing, but it did. They just can’t help themselves.

BM: No, no. Everyone’s at each other’s throats. I’m all about free expression. I’m of an era when you could do that. We’re not really in that era anymore. So doing that comes with consequences. If you happen to think or have experienced anything outside of the chosen narratives, we’ll just say.

RRX: It sucks, man.

BM: Yeah, we’re in a new puritanical era but I think there’s some chinks in the armor and people are getting real sick of that. So. we’ll see.

RRX: I think so. 2024 is looking to be a wild ride.

BM: Yeah. I mean, it’s been a wild ride for a while now, so when the aliens come down, I’m not gonna be surprised. But I’ll be out here in Montana, or maybe I’ll be on the road. Who knows where I’ll be?

RRX: Well, I keep praying for aliens or Jesus, you know, either/or; it’d be great right about now.

BM: I’m into it, man. I like the spiritual belief, I get down with that, aliens or Jesus.

RRX: It seems like it would be about time, like hurry the hell up. Bring on the apocalypse already!

BM: We’ll see what happens. If you wanna see Jesus and aliens, come to the show. That’s gonna happen.

RRX: We’ll invoke the spirits and the alien gods.

BM: It’s coming.

Bryan McPherson w/s/g Danny Quane and Xavier Morris at Twisted Fiddler, July 27. Doors at 7 p.m. $10.

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