Creative Q&A with founding member and lead vocalist of Those Guys AK

WASILLA— Tyrone Palmer is a founding member and the lead vocalist of Those Guys AK, a self described “party band” that performs multiple genres of music at venues in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley.

Band members include: Ron Felicetty on the bass, Tim Felicetty and Roy Moloney on the guitar, and Palmer as the drummer and lead vocalist.

Below is a question and answer interview with Palmer discussing his band, making music in the Last Frontier, and the effects of COVID-19 on the local music scene.

Q: Do you live in the Valley?

“I used to live in the Valley… I moved out to Anchorage in 2015, but I still play out in the Valley a lot.”

Q: So are there members who live here in the Valley?

“Ron lives in the Valley. Tim and Roy live in Anchorage also. Originally, this band, Those Guys AK, originated between myself, Ron, and at the time was Butcher Porter. We were the first three original members of the band.”

Q: What year did you form the band?

“That would be in 2016.”

Q: So how did the band come together?

“We all three played in a band called Against the Grain… All three of us just ended up deciding to do this full time… It just kind of blossomed.”

Q: How did you guys meet?

“I met them because they were already playing in the band, Against the Grain. They were the house band for Mugshots. I started coming in there as a bouncer… I guess they had heard that I used to be a musician… I used to play a lot of casinos and do a lot of opening acts for other musicians all down in the Lower 48. But, I hadn’t gotten mixed up in music for a while because I had moved up here… I was just trying to focus on the family thing… So, once they found out I was a musician, they started asking me to come up and sing with them.”

Q: So you do most of the lead vocals right?

“Myself and Roy probably sing the most of the group, but everybody sings. I probably sing the most songs out of everybody.”

Q: So was this basically you getting back into music, just getting back on the scene?

“Yeah. It was. Like I said, I was stepping away from it for a while… Music has a way of pulling you back in. It’s a part of me. Plus, my wife now, she encourages me to go out and do it too. I have a wonderful support system here.”

Q: Growing up, was music always important to you?

“Yeah, most definitely. I grew up singing in church. I started playing the drums in fourth grade and never stopped… I feel really fortunate that I’ve had a lot of great experiences and met a lot of wonderful people in the industry.”

Q: What’s your favorite part about playing music?

“For me, it’s about the enjoyment, and being able to make people happy... I really enjoy the smiles and the comments from people afterwards; because they usually had a rough week, and how I was able to put a smile on their face and make them forget about all their problems and stuff that they had. I think that’s one of the rewarding parts of it that makes me feel good.”

Q: Do you feel like your bandmates have a similar passion for music?

“I really do; and the thing about us is that we don’t just place one genre of music. We jump all over the place and try to get everybody involved.”

Q: What were some of the band’s founding principles?

“Our main thing is that we wanted to enjoy what we’re doing.”

Q: Going from the fair to bars and community events, it looks like you’ve performed quite the variety of venues over the years, has that been the case?

“There’s been a lot of different things that we’re definitely happy and thankful for. Right now it’s just really hard… We’re just fortunate that we have booked a lot of jobs like at the Mugshot, or Four Corners, or Klondike Mike’s out in the Valley, because right now, you’re not shut down yet.”

Q: So you play at Mugshots a lot right?

“That’s where we play most of all… We also do a lot of weddings and special events like that… We’ve done lots of fundraisers and different things over the years.”

Q: What kind of fundraisers?

“This next one we’re getting ready to do is for our friend… He’s under the weather right now and it’s gonna be Jan. 17. That one’s gonna be held at Four Corners Lounge. We’ve played a bunch of different fundraisers… We’re definitely always willing to help out anybody that needs help.”

Q: What’s your take on the Valley’s current music scene?

“I’ve enjoyed it there in the Valley, and I’ve stayed pretty busy in the Valley because you guys stayed open… It definitely hurts the income because I’m doing music full time now.”

Q: How are you all coping with this?

“Just taking it day by day pretty much. There’s a lot of our friends that aren’t playing at all. I feel really bad about that.”

Q: Are there any bands playing in Anchorage right now?

“They’re in hunker down… There hasn’t been any music going on in Anchorage for a long time

Q: Are you thankful that you still have the opportunity to play?

“I’m definitely thankful I’m able to play, yes. I don’t take it for granted; because there’s so many other ones who aren’t playing right now and they want to be, and they should be. I hope and pray there’s some kind of solution…”

Q: Would you say that playing music is therapeutic?

“It most definitely is… When we get on stage it’s a certain magic that happens.”

Q: Do you enjoy working with your band mates?

“It’s like a marriage... It can be challenging at times, but with the guys I’m working with right now, I feel very fortunate. We’re pretty much on the same page; and things have been going really good; and we’re looking ahead for some very positive things.

For more information about Those Guys AK visit their Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com