For anyone meeting Perry&Blackwell for the first time, Jake Blackwell has the answer ready: “Cleanest introduction? Fuck that. We play dirty rock ’n’ roll.” There’s nothing polished or overthought about the way this band presents itself. It comes from years of playing together, knowing each other’s instincts, and trusting the songs to land on their own weight.
Blackwell and Jon Perry have been writing together since high school in KZN, first through Minority For The Masses and now under their own surnames, after that chapter finally reached its end. Their debut album, Volume 1, came out in November 2025 after a writing process that stretched over a few years, with Perry handling the recording, mixing, and mastering while both of them shaped the material side by side. Now, with Blackwell based in Johannesburg, Perry in the Midlands, a live line-up coming together, and the new single “Psych” on the way, Perry & Blackwell are moving forward with a sound that still feels grounded in where they came from.
“We’ve got a Hetfield / Ulrich kind of writing process.”
You both handle vocals and guitar. When you’re writing, how do you decide who takes the lead on a song, and what stays shared?
Jon Perry: We’ve been jamming and writing together since our first year of high school, when we became friends. We’re very used to working that way, and we usually have a similar vision for the songs. A lot of it is trial and error. We combine ideas and see what works and what sounds best.
Jake Blackwell: We’ve got a Hetfield / Ulrich kind of writing process. It’s very collaborative. We trust each other’s judgment and go with whatever idea fits the song best. I’m the louder, more driven Lars-type personality, and I do most of the bookings and media stuff, while Jon has more of that James-off-stage energy: more introverted and collected. He’s a monster live when it counts, though, [he laughs].
You came out of KZN and did a proper run of shows with Minority For The Masses. What did that period teach you about South African crowds and venues, and what did you want to leave behind when you started Perry & Blackwell?
Jon Perry: We achieved some great things in MFTM, and we’ll always be proud of that. Our bassist Matt left for England, then life and kids happened, so the band went on hiatus for a while. After that, we tried to get it going again with our drummer Jarred and find someone to fill in on bass, but things never really came together. We eventually realised that without Jarred and Matt, MFTM would never be the same band. It became about accepting that it had had its time.
I started recording some ideas on my own, and the first riff and song idea became our first single, “Sticks & Stones”. Jake heard it, loved it, and that was the catalyst for starting this new project under our surnames.
Jake Blackwell: It took me a bit longer to accept that MFTM wasn’t coming back, but this new project has worked out really well and we’re proud of Volume 1. Jon put in serious hours behind the computer recording, mixing, and mastering the songs. He’s really great at it. I was also giving input on the mixes and mastering, of course.
We wrote the album over about two or three years. As for the crowds and venues, they were great back then, and right now there’s a real live music resurgence happening. We’re looking forward to being part of that again.
Volume 1 came out last November. Pick one moment on the album that still feels like, “That’s us.” What’s the story behind it?
Jake Blackwell: That’s a tough one, because all the songs, moments, and breakthroughs meant a lot. For me, “Sticks & Stones” was important because it kicked off this whole new chapter. The last single, “Psych”, which will be coming out soon, also has a riff and chorus I really love. I’m looking forward to launching it.
Jon Perry: I agree with Jake on all of that. I’d also say just hearing how the album came together sonically felt important. We managed to achieve what we had hoped to do.
What has KZN been like for you as a place to build a band, both the good parts and the hard parts, and how has it shaped the way Perry & Blackwell writes, rehearses, and plays live?
Jake Blackwell: I relocated to Joburg last year. My mom, dad, and brother live up here, and I also lived here years ago before going to high school in Mooi River in KZN. Since moving back, I’ve been lucky enough to find a great bassist and drummer for us up here. The three of us are rehearsing at the moment, and then we’ll head down to Jon in the Midlands and tighten up the live set. After that, Jon will come up to Joburg when we’ve got shows booked.
I’ll always love KZN and miss it. I’m proud I lived there, proud that MFTM came from there, and proud of all the legendary venues and people who love rock. Sadly, so many of those venues closed down, and that really hurt the scene. KZN has produced so many great bands and artists over the years, so that was the hard part. Still, I can see a resurgence happening now, and that’s great.
Jon Perry: I’m also very proud to be from KZN. I was born in Pietermaritzburg. Jake and I met in Standard 6, or Grade 8, at Weston Agricultural College in 1998. Our first high school band was called ZIPCODE. After school, I moved to Cape Town for a few years and played in a band with my brother Simon called High Trailer. Then I moved back to KZN and became a potato farmer. I currently work in the Kamberg area in the Midlands.
The Durban and wider Natal scene definitely went through a rough time, but like Jake said, the South African live music scene, and the venues around it, seem to be picking up again.
What are you working on right now, and what’s the next thing you want people to hear or see?
Jon Perry: Right now, we’re rehearsing and building towards playing live shows this year. As usual, we’re also still writing and coming up with ideas that will form the next album. Any creative process takes time, and I’m always excited to see what we come up with next.
Jake Blackwell: I’m really looking forward to playing live again and bringing these songs to people. We’re also pushing hard on our social media and streaming platforms, like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Apple Music, and Spotify, to get the music in front of more listeners.
And keep an eye out for our last single, “Psych”. The video is currently in production, and we’re excited to launch it as soon as we can. See you at a show this year, I hope.
Hear Perry & Blackwell on Spotify and stay with them as “Psych” and their next live shows come into view.
