Jody Porter - The Next Chapter
Interview By: Patricia Rodriguez
Jody Porter’s distinctive guitar style was an integral part of Fountains of Wayne’s widely respected albums for 20 years but there is much more to Jody.
He is a lifelong musician, multi-instrumentalist, writer, and producer who signed his first record contract at 19 with his band the Belltower. Jody has continued his solo work and is currently in the studio co-producing an album for artist Cobb Ervin.
Punk Globe: I know you started in music very early. When did you first start playing the drums? Why did you switch to guitar? And when did you form your first band?
Jody Porter: I started on the kit when I was about 5. I still play sometimes on the records. I realized at 6 I couldn’t write songs on them so I was given a Fender Mustang by my father and that was that. Also, drums are too loud for neighbors in NYC apartment life so I can only bash them in studios. My first band was called The Westwinds which I formed in first grade. We played mostly Buddy Holly 3 chord songs. No one really knew how to play but we had some punk rock attitude and a washtub bass which was threatening to the moms at the junior league. It worked.
Punk Globe: Name five records you can’t live without
Jody Porter: Revolver, Exile(on Main Street), Loveless, Pretenders 2, Marquee Moon
Punk Globe: If you could be a member of any current band, which would you choose & why?
Jody Porter: My own because I already know our songs.
Punk Globe: What comforts you?
Jody Porter: Reefer
Punk Globe: Of all the celebrities you’ve met, who surprised you the most and why?
Jody Porter: Keith Richards and Joni Mitchell. Mostly their homes. And John Entwistle whose home I lived in for 3 months while making a record. There was a cook there named Sue who could make the perfect bacon sandwich.
Punk Globe: Coffee or tea?
Jody Porter: Tea. Got addicted to PG Tips whilst living in England.
Punk Globe: What inspired your two current eps and are they related in any way to your recent album Waterways?
Jody Porter: They’re mostly old songs that I never released. Didn’t really have to cull any inspiration as they were already in the can. Waterways was mostly new songs but I’ve allowed myself to pretend to have writer’s block and produce other people for a while which is more fun at the moment.
Punk Globe: If you weren’t a musician, what’s your dream career?
Jody Porter: Janitor with a pompadour.
Punk Globe: What’s the best advice another musician ever gave you?
Jody Porter: I don’t take advice.
Punk Globe: What or who has been your greatest inspiration? Jody Porter: Sailing.
Punk Globe: Have you ever had any formal music training? Jody Porter: Nothing other than my father’s vinyl. Beatles, Stones, Dylan etc.
Punk Globe: Favorite venue you’ve ever played?
Jody Porter: Madison Square Garden
Punk Globe: What is love?
Jody Porter: Italy
Jody’s future plans include a recording project with his former Fountains of Wayne bandmate Adam Schlesinger’s other band Ivy. Jody will also complete some recently discovered tracks from his band the Belltower.
You can find Jody Porter on Facebook and Instagram. His work with Fountains of Wayne and the Belltower as well as his solo albums are available on all the popular streaming platforms.
https://jodyporter1.bandcamp.com/album/waterways-2
