The Back-Burner: Aerosmith Outtakes & Demos

Before Joe Perry unleashed his self-titled solo album in 2005, he was hard at work refining his vision, as evidenced by this fascinating work-in-progress demo CD dated 2004-07-31. The rough mixes, instrumentals, and unfinished tracks provide a glimpse into Perry’s creative process, showcasing raw energy and ideas that didn’t always make the final cut. What stands out is how much attention he gave to the songs that ultimately landed on the album, while others, despite their potential, remained unfinished. Like Call My Name, it’s possible Perry simply never found the right words to bring them to life.

Pray for Me

This version of Pray for Me differs slightly from the album cut, featuring additional hand percussion that enhances the song’s Middle Eastern-influenced groove. The acoustics are more pronounced in the mix, and there might be some extra sound effects layered in. It doesn’t seem like a final master, but rather an almost-final mix. The extended outro is longer than the album version, with an electronic pad sound (which feels out of place) and more prominent bass fills. It’s an interesting variation, though perhaps not necessarily an improvement over the final cut.

Rabid Dog

Built around a snarling, aggressive riff reminiscent of Perry’s earlier Joe Perry Project work, Rabid Dog is a lost gem that never saw further development. The track is raw—just one layer of Perry’s guitar over a simple drum loop—but the verses already have a tight, menacing feel. Given that it has a title, one has to wonder if lyrics or a full arrangement were in the works. It’s surprising that he never revisited this one, as it had real potential.

7-31

A loose, bluesy instrumental that leans heavily into early Aerosmith territory, 7-31 has the swagger of Cheese Cake or Let It Slide. With its strong slide guitar work, this track feels like a missing puzzle piece from Perry’s 2005 album—something that could have added a different flavour alongside Talk Talkin’ or Shakin’ My Cage. The recording sounds like a live, off-the-cuff jam, with Perry calling out “two two three” at one point, suggesting a spontaneous session with Paul Caruso possibly on drums. It’s not the strongest piece here, but it’s undeniably cool.

I Had a Dream

This track is an intriguing listen, featuring fully developed riffs and vocal harmonies that give a glimpse of what could have been. Unlike some of the looser instrumentals, this feels more like a “band” recording, likely with Perry handling guitars and bass while Caruso mans the drums. Perry’s vocal scatting mirrors Steven Tyler’s improvisational approach, providing a rough blueprint for potential lyrics. There’s a strong sense of structure here, but it’s a bit ambiguous—sections blur together, and it’s hard to pinpoint where the verse and chorus truly sit. A descending instrumental passage reappears throughout, possibly intended for a pre-chorus or solo. While the song has promise, it might have felt too repetitive, which could explain why it was ultimately abandoned. One lyric stands out: “I had a dream that made me crazy, drunk out of my mind.”

Talk Talkin’

This demo of Talk Talkin’ features some noticeable differences from the final album version. The intro, at 32 seconds, runs longer, and one of Perry’s key riffs is missing. The backing vocals from friends and family are more pronounced, adding a slightly looser, more spontaneous feel. Perry’s vocals might not be his final take, as some sections sound different compared to the album cut. His soloing at the end is clearer in this mix, and unlike the official release, there’s no fade-out—the song simply plays out to its natural conclusion.