Beginning in New York as a drummer in the late
60's, Tim McGovern hooked up with the Velvert Turner Group (a Hendrix
protégé) and moved to LA to record an album in 1970. He decided to
stay in LA and teamed up with Randy California from Spirit to record
the cult classic "Kaptain Kopter and the Twirlybirds".
After a pawn shop purchase of a Fender Mustang, the instrument change
was complete. Guitar it would be. He formed Straightjacket with
Reggie Isadore (a former drummer of Robin Trower's group). Met up and
gigged with Chaka Khan. She gave him her guitar because she thought he
needed a better axe. Gigged with a young, unsigned Van Halen at the
Starwood while traversing the LA music scene. Joined POP in 1978 and
recorded two albums with them.
In 1980, Tim joined the Motels. He helped jumpstart them to become
one of the most popular bands of the 80's. After the Motels, he
founded one of the first "world beat bands" called Burning Sensations
and recorded the classic hit "Belly of the Whale", which ended up as a
Top Ten video on the "fledgling" MTV Network in 1983. In 84' he
recorded "The Ballad of Pablo Picasso for the motion picture
soundtrack "Repo Man".
Then it was time for a break. Had a son, left LA...Left the music
scene for 18 years. He moved to the Seattle area. Lived on a boat. Did
various jobs ranging from taxi driver to carpenter. But as they say,
"you can take the musician out of music.... but you can't take the
music out of the musician". The spell overtook his being and has
forced him out of his self-imposed exile.
Back into the local circuit with a vengeance, he has picked up right
where he left off —— mesmerizing audiences throughout Puget Sound with
his energy and precision. With his creative, demanding, intuitive
style he has forged what he feels is his best, most versatile band
he's ever worked with. He is driven again to play, create and record.
The Odyssey continues!
ORANGE BARRELL DARRELL
The name was a by-product of being an airborne
Traffic Reporter.
As radio stations try to jockey their position in the ratings game,
They often turn to gimmicks and characters. This turned out to be one
of the worst character assassinations in history!
"There's nothing like the first buzz off a can of
Budweiser at 4:30 in the morning!"
These kinds of statements were becoming trademark
in the repertoire of "O.B.D." That and, "Is this a smoking flight?
Double Jack PLEASE!"
The stations were loving it. It generated a sick following.
In fact after getting "blasted" in the parking lot one morning a not
so famous radio dialogue did occur.
Disc Jockey Dan Dan the Country man:
"Let's go to our eye in the sky Orange Barrell Darrell...
"Hey O.B.D. any traffic out there?"
O.B.D.: "Uhhh??? Whaaat?? Huuuhhh?
Disc Jockey Dan Dan the Country man: "O.B.D.?
You there?"
O.B.D.: "Uhhh Yeah....Whaaa?"
Disc Jockey Dan Dan the Country man: "O.B.D.?
Anything to report?"
O.B.D.: "I LOVE MY JOB"
This was the beginning of the end of a career in traffic reporting. It
only got worse! Many mornings were found in the Satellite cafe doing
"on air" traffic reports while ordering eggs and drinking Mimosa's.
Then out to the van for a few blasts and the trip to the office to
lie...err fill out paperwork!
Seriously Though
Jeff Omerons musical career spans more than two decades. He is a drummer an engineer and an excellent vocalist. He studied classical percussion at the Zyskowski School of Percussion in Eastern Washington in the early 70's to 80's. He competed at State solo and ensemble competitions and always scored excellent marks. He placed 2nd in the Bellson vs. Rich open drum set competition in 1978 performing an open drum solo adjudicated by Louis Bellson and Buddy Rich. He attended the Ali-Akbar Khan School of Eastern Percussion in San Rafael, California in 1981. He was exposed to rudimental "corps style" drumming in high school, and finished his marching career in the World Champion Blue Devils from Concord, California. He placed 4th in the world on multiple tenor drums at the finals in Montreal, Quebec 1981. After college, he honed his chops in various rock and punk bands touring relentlessly. Not making "IT" or making a lot of money, he settled down depressed and artistically challenged in Spokane, Washington...Perfect!
Got married. Drove a
Semi-Truck...
Wrecked the marriage, Wrecked the truck...
Proceeded to wreck himself.
Convinced that it was not his fault, he just ran out of money, he
finally wore out his 20 plus year welcome. He found himself dead
center in a drug and alcohol rehab. While living in a halfway house on
Bainbridge Island, WA. he was introduced to Tim McGovern. Jeff started
playing gigs again in a "safe" band to get his "sea legs" back. Not
wanting to suck anymore Jeff jumped at the opportunity to play with
Tim McGovern in Knucklehead....
The rest is history.
One time at a Buddy Rich concert, Jeff was backstage
partying with some buddies (no pun intended). Jeff got up the courage
to ask Buddy "THE MAN" Rich for an autograph. Could not find anything
except a cigarette...
As he was going to ask him to sign his cigarette, Jeff's friend Joe
Drake busted in drunk off his ass and said, "Jeezus, you guys sound
about as good as my High School Marching Band!"
Just like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddy Shack!
At this point Buddy got up from his cup of coffee and he was pretty
quick for being an old man and stated, "You better get the FUCK outta
here before I kick all your asses." So we ran out. It was common
knowledge that Buddy rich was a black belt in Karate. We continued to
be drunken asshole teenagers in the halls of the Spokane Coliseum. We
acted like we were Bruce Lee verses Buddy Rich doing "spin kick
paradiddles" and drum solo Kung Fu moves complete with sound effects
from the steps and water fountains!
"Ziggaduh Booosh"....Hiiii Yeeeah!
RICK WEATHERLY
"The Weather Man"
After running the "gamut" of local bass players, Knucklehead's leader Tim McGovern stumbled upon a rare gem.
Hailing from Alaska, California, Georgia...(hey humans are meant to be somewhat nomadic right?) Rick Weatherly appeared on the scene.
A colorful musical history to follow in regards to Rick Weatherly.
Whiskey soaked vocals, skilled bass playing and always a "How 'bout it now" attitude....All I can say is it is refreshing to hear the band with a real "cat" on bass!
Enjoy the Pic's!
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Tim McGovern
Jeff Omeron
