The Urch Perch was formed in 1967 at the Bluesette in Baltimore when Art Peyton combined members of two struggling groups, Blues Inversion and Moss, to form what became one of the most popular groups at the Bluesette and in the Baltimore area during the 1960’s. The original lineup included Robbie Hildreth on vocals, Gil Reinhart on lead guitar, Trevor Martin (ex-Atlanta Blues Band, Aux) on rhythm guitar, Ken Wolle on drums and Len Jones on Bass.
They became the house band at the Bluesette. The Urch Perch played many local teen centers, CYO’s, high schools and colleges such as UMBC, Towson State, Johns Hopkins, Goucher, Notre Dame, and Catonsville CC. They appeared at other Baltimore clubs such as Hullabaloo, Park Plaza, Coffee Grounds, Westminster Movie House and Dark Corner.
Jones was later replaced with Matt Siran (bass ex-Uncertain Things, Stonebridge). Keyboardists John Lee (ex-Uncertain Things) and Billy Tudor (ex-Procreation) were also members. Road manager Paul Rugg later went on the road with artists such as Ethel Ennis, and Linda Ronstadt.
Urch Perch was a favorite at the Bluesette, and at the Coffee Grounds. They performed on local TV shows including “Weekend” and “Kaleidoscope” on WJZ and “Kerby Scott” on WBAL.
They performed at many special events in the 1960’s such as the Nixon Anti-Inauguration Ball in the Wash. D.C. Mall with Phil Ochs, Judy Collins, The Fugs and The Fallen Angels. This event was filmed under the title, “The Revolution is in Your Head”. They also appeared at a special multi-media Lloyd McNeil event at the Washington Museum of Modern Art.
The band eventually played numerous clubs in other major cities such as The Ambassador Theater with Canned Heat in Wash. D.C., The Electric Factory with Ten Years After in Philadelphia, and Cafe Wha, Bitter End and Electric Circus in New York City, and Whiskey Au Go Go in Los Angeles, in D.C. at Georgetown University, American University, and some clubs…
Urch Perch performed at the ‘Mod ’69 Act III’ festival at Painter’s Mill on May 28, 1969 to benefit the March of Dimes. They appeared at the Bluesette on June 15, 1969 for a farewell send-off to the West Coast. The group relocated to Hollywood where manager (and ex-Bluesette owner) Art Peyton also managed Nils Lofgren & Grin. Urch Perch found a house in east Hollywood and played a few clubs in the area.
Below: Photos from Woodlawn Sr. High School – January 24, 1969 Left: Ken Wolle; Center: Matt Siran; vocalist in photo on right is Bruce Aist of Uncertain Things who happened to be sitting in for Hildreth for that gig
Shortly after returning to Baltimore the group split up. Siran and Hildreth then formed Aux.
The Urch Perch briefly re-formed in 1972 with Reinhardt, Wolle, and Jeff Silverman (bass ex-Howdy Duty) for a gig opening for the Mahavishnu Orchestra at the Morris Mechanic Theater.
Reinhardt later joined Black Foot Smoke, Koffee Beans. Wolle was later with Howdy Duty, Night Train. Siran and Hildreth went on to form the band Aux. Martin had also played for the Atlanta Blues Band and Aux.
In the 2000’s they have been rocking the Bluesette Reunions since 2005. In 2005 the lineup was Fred Tepper and Pete Wulforst on lead guitar, Ken Wolle on drums, Barry Davis Sr. on keyboards, Bruce Aist on vocals and Jeff Silverman on bass.
Urch Perch did some recordings with Engineer George Massenberg, but they were never formally released.
