RIP Peppi Marchello

lowend1 · July 11, 2013, 08:35:23 AM

The Tri-State area lost a true original yesterday with the passing of Peppi Marchello, lead vocalist and songwriter of The Good Rats. Anyone who frequented the NY/NJ/Long Island club scene in the 70s and 80s undoubtedly knew of the Rats, and naturally, Peppi. His lyrics, sense of humor and onstage antics, coupled with the musical prowess of the rest of the band made for a great blend of chops and personality. Those outside of the Rats' sphere of influence might have heard of these two chestnuts:

ack1961 · July 11, 2013, 09:53:49 AM

They used to play the bowling alley/bar (Zaffy's) down the road from us all the time back in the 70's.
First band I' ever seen that used garbage cans as an instrument.
Fun, crazy band.

lowend1 · July 11, 2013, 10:10:16 AM

Quote from: ack1961 on July 11, 2013, 09:53:49 AM
They used to play the bowling alley/bar (Zaffy's) down the road from us all the time back in the 70's.
First band I' ever seen that used garbage cans as an instrument.
Fun, crazy band.

Piscataway, right? Or as we used to call it, "Put-The-Cat-Away"

ack1961 · July 11, 2013, 10:27:44 AM

Quote from: lowend1 on July 11, 2013, 10:10:16 AM
Piscataway, right? Or as we used to call it, "Put-The-Cat-Away"

Yup...right there on Plainfield Ave./Stelton Rd. between Edison and Piscataway.
Twisted Sister had a few gigs there when they were hitting the bars early on, but the Good Rats were always on the marquee out front.
(I've never been a fan of TS, but that's just me).

I was just back up there a few weeks back and met up with some old high school friends - we were talking about all the great places we'd go to see local bands - Art Stock's places (the Royal Manors), the Fountain, Club Bene', the Palace, etc. Jersey was a great place to grow up in the 70's. Most of those places are long gone.

Luckily, we moved to Raleigh a few years back and now that my kids are playing gigs, this is a pretty good place to be for that.

lowend1 · July 11, 2013, 11:00:20 AM

Yeah, a buddy of mine is one of the managers at the Sam Ash in Raleigh. He plays with the LS tribute Tuesday's Gone, and a band called Leadfoot as well. Never seems to be a shortage of gigs down there.

I spent a big chunk of my younger days in NJ clubs - more northern than central NJ - but with occasional forays down to The Arrow Lounge, The Royal Manor, The Fountain Casino or shore clubs. Bands were getting stupid money in those days, with the drinking age at 18. A big draw like White Tiger would pull down $6k on a weekend night.

jumbodbassman · July 11, 2013, 11:38:48 AM

The Good Rats were a must see many years ago.. Much more than Twisted Sisiter and their "disco Sucks" ranting.....I used to catch them on Long Island as no boy from Brooklyn ever ventured to Jersey..... Too many highways and weird left turns that actually start on the right.

RIP Peppi

lowend1 · July 11, 2013, 11:54:33 AM

Quote from: jumbodbassman on July 11, 2013, 11:38:48 AM
The Good Rats were a must see many years ago.. Much more than Twisted Sisiter and their "disco Sucks" ranting.....I used to catch them on Long Island as no boy from Brooklyn ever ventured to Jersey..... Too many highways and weird left turns that actually start on the right.

RIP Peppi

Actually, the one time I got stupid lost was on LI - I figured that if the Northern State Parkway went one way, well, then the Southern State must go in the opposite direction. I was sadly mistaken...

godofthunder · July 11, 2013, 02:04:46 PM

They were BIG in upstate NY. I used to go see them at the Penny Arcade in the 70's and 80's. My band even opened for them a few times recently. Peppi still had his pipes. He was a real nice guy willing to sit around and shot the shit. I have a picture on me and him somewhere I'll try and find it. R.I.P. Peppi.