Bio
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: My musical influences probably started with my Grandfather Wilhoit. He would always play the piano for me and encouraged me to express my percussive talents by beating on the dinner table. The Beatles were a huge influence on Bill and I. They helped fuel our first musical endeavor, The Explosives. Movies & movie soundtracks had a profound effect on me. John Williams is one of the greatest composers to ever live. Early drum teachers, such as Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live Band) and Louis D' Agistino helped mold my musical commitment and discipline. Among many other things, my parents have been the real driving/supportive force in my musical career.
PLAYING LIVE: Playing live really brings out the essence of music. The feel of the crowd watching and listening. The adrenaline rush of the first note. The feeling of totally immersing yourself into the music and the moment. The interaction of the band. The unpredictability of the moment. The feeling of satisfaction from a supportive music lover.
(© the cutters)
THE HIGHWIRE DAZE INTERVIEWS
Updated: 03/13/99
We at Highwire Daze would like to make one prediction -- Cutters are going to be very, very big! They certainly have the potential and the great songs. It's only a matter of time.
And now, Highwire Daze proudly presents...
Pete Wilhoit
HD: Do you feel any different now that Cutters is a signed band?
Pete: In the beginning I would have said no to that question, but there's a placebo effect that happens around you on how people perceive you. And now that we're a signed band, they really start to perceive you a lot differently. Because of that, I'm starting to look at the whole thing a little differently. Like maybe this is going to work -- but before, a lot of times you're having fun but you feel like you're banging your head against the wall because you're driving so long. Some people dig it, but most don't. You don't get paid and you get homesick. But now going out with The Flys and seeing people react because you're on a label, you get this perception of, "Well, now their music is good and I can give it a chance and listen to it." It seems like that sort of effect has happened. So I do see a difference.
HD: I wanted to ask about the song "Hero." What is that song about and who are some of your heroes?
Pete: When I was thinking about the lyrics, it was kind of a time where there were a lot of who I considered atheletic heroes in my life -- you see how much they mean to kids and people growing up -- and you realize that their lifestyles get put on the front page for you to read. And sometimes your hero turns out to be somebody who has a real problem with drugs or has a problem with domestic violence. And it makes you start to think, "Why did I consider him a hero in the beginning? Because he could dribble a basketball or slam dunk it from half court?" It's kind of an inward question as to "Who is a hero?" Is it the guy out on the screen who's playing or is it the guy who gives a liver transplant or helps somebody across the street? It's an inward question about who you consider a hero.
HD: Who are some of your heroes?
Pete: I would say, as far as musically, Kenny Arnoff is one of my heroes just because he's one of my teachers and he's a real big inspiration to me. I think he does a lot of great things for music, and the music industry in general. And maybe my mom.
HD: How do you think the music of Cutters stands a part from other bands?
Pete: I was talking to people who were listening to the music and were hearing it for the first time -- and the first thing out of their mouth was, "You guys are real positive! " And it's funny, because we don't take a conscious effort to make that part of the music. But I think there is a positive message coming out. We're not angry, we're not taking jabs at anybody. We're kind of taking a collective attitude that we're here to have fun and rock!
HD: If there was one thing you'd like someone to remember after hearing your new CD, what would it be?
Pete: Maybe that these songs are the results of seven years, and after forty or fifty different songs. That we've worked as hard as anybody whose worked at any job for seven years to get where we're at -- and I hope it shows in the music. Hard work does pay off.
HD: What are some of the jobs you've had in the past?
Pete: I've had a lot of jobs that are mostly music related, working in a CD store and giving drumming lessions. I'd say the best job I've had that is non music related is being a substitute teacher in the community schools. That was a real eye opener just to see where kids are today in relationship to how I perceived school when I was that age. It's pretty amazing and it's pretty scary to see what some kids would do at the age of 7th and 8th Grade.
For more on Pete, check out:
http://www.thecutters.com/meet/pete.html
(top photo © the cutters )
