Perimeter

    Perimeter started as a Puget Sound area rock band from Bremerton WA that played original music in the early 1980’s. The band was founded by high school best friends and band classmates Jerome Dalbeck on bass and Lane Gonyeau on drums. The two musicians also played together outside of school, before graduating in 1981. 

    Jerome’s bass chops were partially formed by playing and studying jazz during this time and as a college music major. This exposed him to hearing and playing jazz fusion, which he loved. But, he felt the fusion bands that got popular had missed an opportunity. He believed their use of electronic instruments and the blending of rock styles into jazz, limited their commercial appeal. The debate between jazz purists and fusion fans over these two issues was punctuated with fusion bands almost desperately insisting to be called a jazz band. He saw this infighting as a huge genre opportunity. 

    He immediately decided to reverse the formula. From then on, he wanted to blend jazz styles into rock. To bolster the rock feel, vocals would be paramount, abandoning fusions stubbornness on staying instrumental. His new vision started an explosion of creativity. Unfinished ideas were fleshed out. Killer bass riffs were turned into whole songs. The bassist’s natural ability to compose and arrange went into overdrive. It was time to bring it all to the practice place at Lane’s house.

    The two had been informally jamming some of these riffs already, but now they were complete arrangements, with the drummer holding the key missing ingredient; lyrics. Besides being a talented drummer, Lane Gonyeau had reams of lyric ideas ready to go. As the rhythm section navigated the uncharted musical waters, Lane would realize he had the perfect lyrics to each piece. And a song was born! When they had enough for a whole album, they officially started Perimeter in 1983. 

    Now it was time to get a guitarist. While jamming for some friends, one of them told the guys about someone he thought would be perfect. He lived in the next county. He was reclusive. He didn’t play out much. But he was a very talented guitarist who loved to shred metal and hard rock, and he was the same age. The duo liked what they heard and eventually they were able to reach him and set up an audition. 

    Enter Alan Shamshak. To say Al was a perfect fit is an understatement. The trio’s tight, natural musical feel and well matched personalities instantly turned an audition into a great jam. After playing several covers together, the rhythm section played several originals, with the guitarist quietly taking in the different sound and feel of it all. When they stopped, he asked one question; “What do you want me to do?” Jerome answered back; “I want you to do you! I want you to come crashing over the top of this with all the hard rocking chops and feel you have!” Al smiled and said “good!” And the lineup was set. Together, the musicians created a hard hitting, high energy style of rock subtly infused with elements of blues, funk and jazz. It was an interesting blend of hard rock and progressive rock filled with memorable hooks and often funky rhythm section playing truly unique to their band. The music bridged the gap between 70’s hard rock and the yet to be fully realized 90’s grunge or the rap rock from bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers or Linkin Park. 

    Perimeter became a band dedicated to a heavy rehearsal schedule, working up a large catalog of original songs. The band also played a variety of heavier covers from bands like Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and Rush. The band was always looking for a dedicated lead singer, but did their own singing anyway. The occasional Perimeter gig was rocking, loud, and fun! 

    Just prior to launching in 1983, the rhythm section had done an album demo session at Rainbow Recording in Tacoma WA. They really liked the studio and its owner/engineer Jim Maestas. The power trio returned to the studio for a two album run. They self produced and promoted their 1984 album Too High and their vastly improved and better focused sophomore album Let Me Rock in 1985. 

    Sometime in 1986, while the band was working on their third album, the group amicably agreed to take a break. The band felt they really needed a lead singer before recording a third album without one. Needing to re-record vocals on two albums was going to be costly in time and money and the group was playing as tight as ever. They had no concerns about tightening up later. 

    During this hiatus, Jerome met vocalist Tim Holycross. As it turned out, they had been living about three or four blocks from each other the whole time. The two hit it off and Tim loved the music. So the band re-convened and they all got along great. However, things took an unexpected turn. 

    During this break a desire to change some directions lyrically had developed. The group was unable to come to an agreement, and the bands original guitarist decided to leave. This was a heart breaking moment for the band. Losing Al was a huge hit to the group, but meeting Tim turned out to be a lifelong friendship. 

    Other performing and recording projects ensued, both individually and for the rhythm section duo. Both musicians continued to perform and record new versions of Perimeter’s music. In 1993, the long running rhythm section partnership had another watershed moment when they re-formed Perimeter with singer Holycross. This time they were joined by guitarist Tom Rahm. The guitarist’s more eclectic chord voicing choices and more prog leaning style brought a different sound to the band. His accuracy and speed allowed him to play Al Shamshak’s parts very well and the band welcomed a new sound moving forward. 

    In addition to writing and recording new material, the band continued to perform and promote the earlier music of Perimeter. A few of those songs even went through lyric and arrangement changes, some of which made it onto the album. This time, the group recorded at home and again self produced and promoted their 1994 album Watching You. 

    While the group was busy booking shows and playing around the Puget Sound and Seattle area, guitarist Rahm needed to leave the band. The groups lifelong friend Luke Papineau filled in the remaining shows. He had played the music with the group many times, even contributing the guitar melody to the bands well liked instrumental Cat Walking, and some interesting guitar parts on a couple of other songs. He’s featured on the bands only live show recording, 1994’s Live At Jimmy Z’s. Unfortunately, Luke was unable to join the band long term and they appreciated his efforts to help them keep gig commitments. 

    Today, the group has evolved from a truly one of a kind Pacific Northwest area band, to a more West Coast based entity. Drummer Lane Gonyeau still lives in WA state, while bassist Jerome Dalbeck resides in Northern CA. Jerome has been spending time archiving and repairing the bands recordings, converting them to digital format for re-release. He decided to wait out the current Artificial Intelligence music legal battles before doing so. 

    In addition to writing more new Perimeter music to record with Lane in the near future, he is performing some of the bands songs in his current cover band project; The Jerome Dalbeck Group.