Currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona, Billy Lowry is an incredibly inventive musician and songwriter. Describing his 2022 album, All the Same Monster, one fan wrote on Bandcamp that “It’s like Minutemen and Primus wrote an album with the Grateful Dead and then Nirvana came in and started rearranging everything and Zappa got offended because there was too much mustard on the satire,” while another fan described his 2023 single, “Nightmares,” as “a crazy progressive masterpiece… like Boss Keloid meets Primus.” Curious to know more, I reached out to him with a few questions.

Before we go any further, I know that I always mispronounce your last name when I introduce your songs on the #Tweetcore Radio Hour. How should I say it? What does it rhyme with?

Haha yes, this does happen quite frequently, as well as folks always think there’s an E in the spelling.  No typical Lowrey or Lowery here, we up there Minnesotians scratched the E.  They say they saved money on ink or something [joking].  But for speaking them there ‘Lowry’ word, I always say to think of the Lawry seasoning salt.  And then of course replace the A. Now I’ve confused myself.. 😉

How long have you been making music?

I have been playing music since a wee lad of about age 9.  My parents actually were cool enough to buy me an electric Fender Squire.  Back then though, it was not writing songs, but more so how to make weird noises.  Or annoy my parents.  In high school, we were allowed to take piano as an elective instead of P.E. – so I did 4 years of this, and that’s really when the songs started.  A few good, most horrid ! But the recordings do exist.

Both of the fans I quoted above mention Primus. Are they an influence? What do you like about them?

Oddly enough, I wouldn’t say Primus has been a main inspiration, but I absolutely love them.  I think it’s more so the quirky Mike Patton stuff like Mr. Bungle.  Or even stuff like Oingo Boingo, the weirder it is, the more I like it.  Zappa obviously.  But in a way, all of that stuff very much sounds like Primus! I also love Elvis Costello and Beach Boys as you know.  Kevin Gilbert. Now there’s someone nobody knows much about – and sadly, you can’t find his [best] music unless you order it direct. 

I love the cover art for “Nightmares.” It reminds me a little bit of Robert Crumb. Who did it?

I just googled Robert Crumb & am embarrassed for having to ‘google’ him! Dang did my eyes google & gaggle at some of his artwork though.  Really phenomenal and I see the similarity.  Cris Kirkwood from the band The Meat Puppets did the artwork for “Nightmares” & it definitely fits the ‘out-there’ vibe of the track.

How do you know him?

I met Cris probably 20 years back through a mutual friend, Dr. Dave.  We used to have BBQ’s at Dave’s house, with the band just hanging out.  But Cris also has been a big fan of my grandfather since he was a kid, so it all came full circle.  Cris & I got to perform in several theatres together on stage in Arizona, doing a live-theatre version of ‘The Wallace & Ladmo Show’, which was the name of my grandpa’s TV show.

The track itself is incredibly frenetic, with a propulsive, skittering beat. I’m wondering if that ties into your personality at all, or is it just an appropriate sound for the subject matter?

Definitely me to a T.  I tend to go off-topic 9/10 times in everyday conversation.  Oh look! A squirrel! I would say a good review of my music [and especially of my upcoming releases] is: “It’s like a ride in the mind of someone with undiagnosed ADHD, and maybe a few fireworks left over from shrooms.”

And speaking of subject matter, the track offers what I might describe as a revenge fantasy, in some ways akin to the Beatles’ “Run for Your Life.” Are you writing from personal experience or is it about an imagined character? Or is it a mix of both?

To be compared to that song is a real honor! Now The Beatles will be in my head – which is a good thing.  Unlike ‘Love Shack’ or Santana/Rob Thomas’ ‘Smooth’ – which have been stuck in my head unfortunately. This is a song I would actually prefer in me head! For my lyrics though, I guess I wanted it to be a mixed bag.  Words that make you wonder, but in all actuality, it is about some despicable human beings I once knew. 

Is there something cathartic about writing a song like that?

It most definitely helps me move on from probably the most anger I’ve ever dealt with.  To put anger into music is definitely better than taking a baseball bat to a tree.  Oh that poor tree…

I love the repeated line about sending quotes on how to live. Can you talk a little bit about where that line came from and what it means to you?

This part of the track is very personal but kind of funny.  Imagine the biggest asshole you’ve ever known, like the bully in high-school or junior high – that fucking guy; sending you daily affirmation quotes.  Someone who bullied you or made your life a living hell, then having the audacity to send you ‘Footprints in The Sand’, via e-mail.  Them’s fighting words.. said no-one at any other point, ever! Hah.

Ugh… “Footprints!” How did you record the song? Are you playing all of the instruments?

I do record all of my instruments these days – thanks to my wifey buying me my own drum kit! For my 40^th birthday too! God I’m old.  But at least my limbs still work.  It’s a beautiful Pearl kit from the early 70’s & now that I got this sucker, I just start from there – add some ‘slap-uhh-dah-bass’, & it’s go-time baaaaby.  I do spend entirely too much time post-recording though.  I have probably a dozen unrecorded songs, but I meticulously edit my music like a serial killer.

Do you ever get a chance to play live?

For decades, there were dozens of bands that I played out in, and of course – we never recorded.  I was playing out every month or so though for the last few years as a solo act.  I do have over 2 hours of just my own acoustic original material – a lot of tracks from my album that I put out.  I have not performed in probably 6 months though, ack! Definitely moments of burn-out from that.  Some years I want to play out every day – another year I don’t want to at all.  But! Butt! I have recently joined a local Phoenix staple called ‘Union Rock’.  These guys have been playing together since the late 60’s so we do a lot of fun songs – i.e The Doors, Beatles, Stoning Rolls; they needed a bass player last minute.  First gig here is in a few days!

A lot of your music has a spookiness or horror element. The album you released in 2022 is called All the Same Monster, and there’s a ghostliness to 2021’s “It Rains.” Is there something about horror that resonates with you?

I do love horror films so this may be a part of my inner writing.  I wrote a screenplay years back called ‘Color Blind,’ maybe I should revisit that! All The Same Monster was a great first start as a solo artist as it was a concept album, all focused on loss & all the folks I’ve lost over the years.  Now that I’ve gone from sadness to revenge, I actually have a few happy songs planned down the road! If ya can believe it..

You also had a track called “Shepherd Boy” on the Indie Dog Days of Xmas compilation. How did that one come about?

Our mutual pal Quizboy aka Never Say Never had asked if I may have a Christmas or holiday song, and if so – I could be included with some kick ass artists.  I did not have any song of the sort, so it’s actually really cool what happened.  He and Brian Lambert were essentially my ‘spirit animals’- in getting that track completed.  And what a hell of an artist I had doing the artwork for that ‘Shepherd Boy’ release! Some call him Marc – others call him a human metronome.

Ha! What are you currently working on?

What has been super fun is some musicians who I already love listening to, have asked me to lend my drum skillz! I’ll be playing on an upcoming song by Big Bald Ben called ‘Stay Away’ – a Nirvana cover, that sounds more like Alice in Chains! Really rad track.  Also, I’m thrilled to be playing drums on a track called “Goddess” by Quizboy; part of a new Bitume comp.  For my ‘Billy Lowry’ trax though, I have a song called ‘The Day After’ – coming April; and another called ‘Rabbit Hole’ – coming in the summer.  Super excited to get these ones out so I can actually move on to a few ‘pop’ songs, if you can believe that too!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me! 

The pleasure was all mine mate! I had thought it might be an over-the-radio interview.  I’m always down for that too whenever you may have an open slot in 24’.  Thank you so much for this opportunity my friend~