Ump’s Musical History - Adios Arizona
Wow..Arizona..it’s been over 15 years..
Enjoy the history..while you read :)
MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com
For the life of me i have no idea where to begin..or what to say. In something as long winded as this may become i suppose i should start from the beginning.
In May of 1994 i left an otherwise frozen life in Gillette, WY to come to AZ. I’d played in a few bands up there, but seein how the pickens were slim in the venue department the bands never really left the basement..Other than running into some serious prodigies and making some good friends i suppose we’ll leave WY in my back pocket. It was fun, but really didnt amount to much..moving on…
We’ll start off with “Reel”…(sorry, no images or music)
Bobby - Vox/Bass, Mike E - Guitars, Tim - Drums, Dennis- Drums
Reel was started in 1994 shortly after i arrived in AZ and a chance conversation with a woman (who would soon become @loulapop’s mamma) at a west side Circle K. We started talking (honestly i dont remember how the conversation even started) about how her brother was a local guitarist and we should swap numbers so she could set up a chance for us to meet and possibly hang out…Anyway, after meeting Mike, who was currently jamming with fella on bass (Bobby) we decided to form Reel..a small cover band (circa 1990s - Bush, White Zombie, candlebox..etc) set for small gigs and parties. After posting an ad in the newtimes we finally met up with Tim, who would become our drummer, while drinking several pitchers of killians at our local hooters..the band was born. little did mike, bobby and myelf know that our newly found drummer Tim had 7th Day “religious” issues playing on friday nights. Did i mention we found this out AFTER we had spent a year rehearsing and building a 4 hour setlist?…yup..REEL was dead.
Shit..i forgot Dennis. He was our first drummer. He retired to Florida.
“Caffeine”- I dont even know what to say…
Bobby - Vox, Mike E - Guitars, Mike N. - Guitars, Tim - Drums, Brock - Drums
Caffeine started after Tim left from Reel… Mike, Bobby and myself pressed on and changed direction. We decided to go for more of an original sound..Tim came back after an acid trip and realized music was more important than god..and then..god came back. Tim was gone again and Mike had a little trouble with MCSO..enough to disappear for 5 years. Bobby and i pressed on…We picked up another guitarist Mike N (who’s also in Azul) and through mutual friends we found a drummer in 12..yes..12 yr old Brock (another friggin prodigy)..Anywho, we played around town, peddlin our local wares at the Mason Jar..and we were fortunate to play Gibson’s the last night it was open with local legends Dead Hot Workshop..We pressed lil EP (sorry, no tunes to report or images). I really dont know how or why Caffeine dissolved, but it did..and i moved on.
“Box of Rocks” - Not much to report..
Jeff - Vox, Steve - Bass, David - Keys, David - Drums
Box of Rocks was a local cover band made up of attorneys..They needed a guitar player that could play foo fighters and wasnt scared to play fund raising benefits..It didnt last long, they had better paying gigs than music. Two of the members bought Tupelo Tap Room so they could continue to jam at their will and have a place to do so. Nice lil bar which was later sold to people in the hispanic community..No mas Tupelo..
“Splitwit” Which became “GRiP”
Gavin - Bass, Rob - Vox, JT - Drums, Mark - Drums, E - Turn tables
After shootin the shit with some fellow co-workers at one of my previous jobs we had decided what would become Splitwit..Rob, Gavin, JT, E, and myself made a valiant go at it. We played a couple of shows. Got Mission G their first gig at Cooperstown…then..E left..JT left, and myself, Rob, and Gavin pressed on. After posting an ad in the New Times we met Mark (colorist for Mcfarlane and a male stripper…seriously) would become drummer. We played around quite a bit locally, big fish, nitas, mason jar, boston’s..etc. We decided to get in the studio to record and album (which is still not complete)..then we dissolved.
“Eating Divas” - Once a Diva, always a Diva.
While browsing a local METAL music forum (collectiveunderground.com, created by local band Psychostick) i ran into the “Divas”. I reckon this was around 2003..they had already been together for about 4 or five years and were in need of another guitar player…again. I jumped into the mix and it was a blast. Musically it was a little disconnected from what i was use to, but i enjoyed playing it none the less. We jammed around town for a year put on a couple of musical comps and accompanying shows…Then, Brian (our drummer) left. That was the end of Divas. Now, after only playing a year..Divas has been the longest run ive ever had in local music. We’ve played at least one show, every year..since.
“The Wrongsiders”
T - Vox, DannyB - Bass, Andy - Drums, Zac - Guitars
While in Eating Divas i was introduced to the local PUNK music forum..then it was all down hill from there. Or was it up? Anyway, i was approched by someone on the forums that said she was helping a friend build a band (Andy) and we should talk..so we did, and The Wrongsiders was formed. We played around most of the local punk venues, put a little single together and toured cali. After a little too much internal BS..i decided to leave. They’re still around, minus myself and Andy..(i think).
“The Earps” - The last train to Clarksville
Hotwheels - Vox/Guitar, 3M - Drums, Buckshot - Bass, Leif - Bass
Ahhhh..The Earps. I was drunkenly approached by HW and Leif at Jugheads about joining their band..i turned them down..again..and again..for about a year. Then i jumped into the mix. Leif went away..we borrowed Buckshot from Jeff Dahl..got picked up by Bigbender Records, recorded an album and toured the nation. That was the last five years of my life..and May 30th will be the musical end (locally).
before i wrap this up id like to toss out some musical honorable mentions to the bands that were brief, yet some of the best times and musicians ive ever had the pleasure of jammin with.
“Adventure Jukebox” - JR, Adam, John, Phil
“West End Crooks” - Micah, Kolby, Danny American
“5th Avenue Crash” - Rev, Ray, Andy, Trevor
“Shotgun Geisha” - Carl, Ray
All in all, i would have to say it’s been the most memorable time of my life. I’ve made some really good friends..Seen some of the best bands, and played shows that people from my hometown could only dream of.
Thank you and adios Arizona,
Ump
Saturday, May 30th, my final show • The Blooze Bar • 32nd St between Cactus and T-Bird, next to Burger King
While your at it, check out the Brad Paisley Tour and Rascal Flatts tour
