What’s that I hear in Joe Pete’s music?
Joe Pete has many influences but the ones that most directly shape his sound and music include the Grateful Dead, Sleepy La Beef, NRBQ, and Southern Culture on the Skids.
There are other top-level influences that are very important, but are less a factor in how Joe Pete himself sounds. This would include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, & Duane Allman (of course). The reason Joe Pete doesn’t sound so much, like Jimi Hendrix say, is that, well, he isn’t able to. In Jimi’s case I do try to play R&B rhythm guitar like he does, which is Curtis Mayfield rhythm guitar. I do play a bit like Eric Clapton, of course nowhere near his level, but I’m not able to play like the unbelievable Duane Allman.
Very prominent influence also comes from: Bob Dylan, the Band, Bob Mould now and with Hüsker Dü, Bill Kirchen now and with Commander Cody, Muddy Waters, Junior Walker & the All-Stars, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and the world of Parliament-Funkadelic.
Further inspiration has been found in lots of Cajun, zydeco & New Orleans artists, lots of great rock and blues bands, and lots of people known personally in and around Boston, including the great Eric Martin, both now and with his band the Neats.