Aerosmith’s Joe Perry Looks Back on ‘Rocks,’ Ahead to New Album

Although Steven Tyler has kept active the past few months duking it out with the judges of “American Idol,” for guitarist Joe Perry, Aerosmith has been in the forefront of his mind.

In an interview with Steve Baltin of Creem, Perry explains that while the band has been toying around with new music for a while, he's feeling no pressure.

“I don't really look at things like, 'Oh, it's record time,'" he said. "I'm always writing and stuff. And I was talking to Rick Rubin, who said, 'Make a cassette of all the bands you first heard who turned you on, who when you first heard made you go... Fill it up with all those songs and listen to them.’ Sure enough it puts you back in that head space and you start forgetting about Eddie Van Halen's lighting speed, unbelievable guitar playing, Sid Vicious' bleeding nose, disco, alternative music, or what's all the hubbub about.”

The recent Aerosmith break, Perry said, has helped him “get away from the daily grind.”

“The last five years I have had three knee surgeries, two of which were replacement, all on my right knee,” Perry said. “During the time the band was on break from canceled or postponed shows it allowed me time to work on and put out two solo CDs. I finished a solo CD, got the Joe Perry Project back on the road, and toured with Mötley Crüe and Bad Company in the U.K. Plus I did my own headline tour."

If you think that sounds like a lot, well, Perry agrees with you: "So, this break comes at a perfect time for me to recharge and get some perspective on things. I am looking forward to the new Aerosmith CD and touring after its release so all of our fans can hear our new music.”

This month commemorates the 35th anniversary of Aerosmith’s fourth studio album, 'Rocks.' The hard-hitting, primal tracks on the album scored Aerosmith three Billboard Hot 100 hits, including two that reached the Top 40 ('Back in the Saddle' and 'Last Child'), as well as quadruple-platinum honors.

To celebrate, North American syndicated rock radio show "In the Studio" hosted a special with band members, and you can listen to the program via the show's website.

Watch Aerosmith perform 'Last Child' off 'Rocks'