The first time I really talked with Ray Neades, I think we must have been bonding over The Who. It was in the early to mid-'90s, when I had just moved here, very young and intimidated by what I perceived as the impenetrable Western Mass. rock star scene, led at that time by Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh and Buffalo Tom. Ray had a band at the time called Miss Reed, who put out a CD called Corn on Mal Thurday's infamous Northampton-based Chunk label, and, being a Greenfield native who'd been into rock since middle school, he was friends with J. Mascis and some of the other bigger success stories from the Valley.
Around the turn of the millenium Ray took his show to Boston, where he ultimately crafted his large man's tribute to Australian shredding known as Beefy/DC, a tribute band that not only showcased Ray's surprisingly awesome heavy metal vocal abilities but also the insanely skilled chops of guitarist Pete "100 percent Pure Angus" Cassani. Beefy was a staple act around the Boston/Allston/Cambridge club scene, played shows on the Cape and occasionally returned to Northampton. Ray was a one-time employee at Guitar Center, and apparently was always trying to help out fellow musicians by finding them great gear they could afford even on limited budgets. Sometime in the last five years, Ray moved to L.A. and got married to Sandy Monticello.
Neades, 42, passed away on Monday, Dec. 14. All who knew him have been saddened by his premature departure, and many memories and good wishes for his family have been posted on his Facebook page as well as at The Noise's bulletin board forum (www.thenoiseboard.com). There are links to many things on the board, including:
Ray interviewing J. Mascis & The Fog for Boston Soundcheck magazine (2001), archived at Mike Watt's web page: www.hootpage.com/hoot_fogintrvw010405.html.
Ray performing The Ramones' "Beat on the Brat" with The Incredible Casuals at the Midway Cafe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODH9mm3-M4.
