The Band

The Electric Church combines the elements of soulfully driven vocals, truth-filled lyrics and psychedelic punch to create a musical expression all their own. Matthew Perryman and Mary Cuchetti head the band up, with chemistry-rich songwriting and arrangements. The music of The Electric Church has poured from speakers in Chicago, Nashville, North Carolina and Florida. They've shared venues, including the Florida Harvest Festival, with such acts as James Brown, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and G Love and Special Sauce.

Currently, Electric Church is based in Raleigh, NC and has performed at such local venues as The Pour House, The Lincoln Theater (as part of a Katrina benefit alongside Mayhap, Bokamaru, Triple Fret and Simple), The Blue Bayou and Blue Martini. They've played on the stages of several local festivals like The Spring Fling, 24 hours of continuous music, with such acts as Barefoot Manner, Three Piece and Kenetic. They also played with 140 other bands at The Carrboro Music Festival this past summer.

Allowing the music of The Electric Church to penetrate the soul, is the best way to listen to this Raleigh based band.


Mary Cuchetti ~ Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Piano

Mary first experienced the vibrations of the music while in her momma's belly! Number nine of ten children, her roots begin in Detroit, MI. This is where her parents, both devoted musicians themselves, felt it only natural to take the family on the road. The road was home for the first 6 years of her life, and it is where her first impressions of the music were born.

Singing in church where her mom was organist and harmonizing at home with her little sister Gina, Mary's voice steadily began to ignite.

The Christmas following her graduation from Cincinnati Conservatory with a degree in musical theatre, her mom gave her a gift that would change the color of her soul. She gave her a guitar. Having played piano a lot of her life, she took to the melodies that would come. She began writing songs the night she met Matt at an open mic night in New Smyrna Bch., FL. She found herself inspired and drawn to his emotion driven material and free spirited, yet spiritually quenched lifestyle. The two began a songwriting relationship that has brought them to the present, playing from here to Chicago at various venues and with numerous players. They continue to be each other's stream in the desert.


Bongo John Metcalf ~ Percussionist

"Bongo" John Metcalf is the current drummer of The Electric Church and has been involved with The Electric Church since the summer of 2004. With almost 30 years experience drumming in various local acts in North Carolina and Oklahoma, John is dedicated to the importance of playing for the song. To learn more about his life and music, go to: http://www.bongojohn.net.


Ivan Owens ~ Trumpet

Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, Ivan began studying music at the age of 11. A classically trained trumpet player with deep roots in gospel, he played with the Heavenly Sounds Orchestra as 2nd trumpet for six years. He made a national appearance on the televised talent show STIR UP THE GIFT at the age of 15. Since then he has played classical, commercial jazz, blues and gospel. Ivan was also the lead trumpet player for Mighty Lester and the Blues Kings, who opened at The Lincoln Theatre for Grammy Award winning band, Room Full of Blues. He's also played with Scott Adaire, who was the baritone sax player with the Temptations. His influences on trumpet are Phil Driscoll and Doc Severonson. His personal goal as a musician is to bring the sound of the trumpet to any ear that will listen.


Cory Jerkins ~ Bass

Born and raised in Eastern, NC, Cory started playing the bass at the age of 12. Inspired by the musical influences of gospel, jazz, R&B, and funk, he found his way to The Electric Church through an add posted on the internet about 2 years ago. The chemistry ensued and the songs took shape. His biggest influence on the bass is Andre Crouch and his life motto is "instrument for God."


Matthew Perryman ~ Guitar/Vocals

Born in Columbus, Mississippi, Matt was raised up on the road for most of his young life. Traveling between California, Florida and many places in between, he experienced a diverse musical scene. His first performance was with his brother Peyote in-between one of his father's sets at the Bandshell in Daytona Beach, FL. The song was "Here Comes the Rocketship" and would be their first songwriting endeavor together. He really didn't play again until it was with his brother at the age of 17, where they performed a song called HIV at an AIDS benefit that took place at the Hardback in Gainsville, FL. The music took to him from that point on, and it became one of the most important things in his life.

Having a mother and father that are both into the music in different ways, gave him an opportunity to diversify his sound. It would also be one of the many things he had in common with Mary.

His grandmother awoke the blues roots in his music, exposing him to the likes of Willy Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Koko Taylor and too many more to mention.

Matt began to form the Electric Church in the mid 90's and embarked on the journey that would lead him to the musical place he stands today. Whether it be on the back porch at his dad's house, playing with Sam Bush, or at the garage at Gunnar's, Matt's love for music has always been the same.....to be a positive note in the atmosphere.