|
On February 23, 1967 born the famous Tommy Rexx, Legend in his own mind, little did they know the events that would lead to the making of the man. Tommy would go along with his dad to their band practices. One of the hit songs at that time was a Kenny Rogers song called Ruby don’t take your love to town. Tommy was about 5 with his front teeth missing so when he sang Ruby it came out ROOVIE, being little and cute everybody wanted to see him perform this song. Having his father in music birthed his interest.
Tommy started playing drums when he was 9, talking his dad into purchasing a snare drum and stand was the start of the first drum kit. He permanently borrowed a marching snare from the high school which he inverted on its side, and now it was a kick drum, making a high hat and kick drum petal out of an erector set given to him for Christmas and a rocket launching pad from the boy scouts. Coffee cans with both ends removed plastic lids heated to different temperatures, to create different pitches. Tommy with his creative mind was bound to find his way in music. Having one close friend interested in music they practiced everyday after school until supper, sometimes skipping supper and jamming until bedtime. This was the spark that started the fire inside Tommy to want to perform professionally.
Tommy’s father was a local musician with the understanding of what it took to learn an instrument. Installing a speaker by his favorite lounging chair and stuffing a mattress in the upstairs doorway he aloud us to turn noise into music while still being able to hear his favorite TV shows. Right at the peak of interest Tommy was struck down with an injury resulting in being put in a wheel chair. Being in a wheel chair life changed drastically, unable to play drums Tommy received a bass guitar for Christmas. In accomplishing the bass Tommy felt there wasn’t enough strings, so he picked up an old guitar that his father left in the closet dusted it off, and restrung it. Learning lead guitar, Tommy’s father set up some little shows, with lady’s aid, and the legion’s Veterans Day program, and he would guest in his father’s band for a few songs. One New Years Eve he went along to play his set with his dad and in setting up the lead guitar player of his father’s band decided to quite and didn’t show up. Tommy had a new job in his fathers band K-R Rangers though a real strong country name for a band. Not long after the music had a very modern sound to it due to Tommy’s cutting edge guitar style. Recording tracks for another local artist, in review of his material they commented the guitar work is the wave of the future of country music. Being very competitive Tommy won the talent contest at a local fair when he was 16. The next year brought a job offer at Jon Denver Studio’s in GA this he declined due to still having commitments in the area. It was time to move on from his father’s band, joining up with his older brothers group, Tommy was the new star of Contraband. With several member changes with in 5 years the band had no direction, moving on to form a southern rock / blues band called Ragg City Madd Dogs the madd dogs always had there name abbreviated R.C.M.D. because the name was to long. For some reason we had tons of hip hop fans show up to our shows. The confusion led to the demise of the band. Reformed and turned into Tornado Rex, This was a fresh start of a new band with a great following going through several member changes again.
Tommy decided to change the name the band and name it after himself and become the focus of attention. Putting out his first CD TOMMY REXX / ismyproblem. This 10 song CD was recorded at Jamesland Studios in Maple Grove, MN. The Studio had connections to Dream Works Records; we went there in hopes of finding our way to success. We found out about business, which has nothing to do with success. Our second adventure was a two song EP in tribute of Americans after the terrorism act. This song was called 3RD World War. Featuring Chainsaw Caine from Slave Raider popular original 80’s band from Minnesota on guest vocals. Recorded at Gemini Recording in Fairbault, MN touring the five state area in promotion of the EP, Tommy fronted such acts as Austin Healy - Ozark Mountain Dare Devils - Flip Ultimate Ozzy - Hells Bells - Zed Leplin and many more unknowns. Starting out 2005 was a participant in ROCKSTAR INXS, never made it to TV, but did make it to film, Hard Rock Café, Minneapolis, MN. Winning Battle of the Bands in Montevideo, MN. gave us the opportunity to go back into the studio to create Tommy Rexx FREAKSHOW 3 Ring-Jerkus. This 12 song CD starts with a song called freakshow, a little self-description of Tommy with a circus flare. This fun type of rock-n-roll is enjoyable for all ages. We are currently touring in support of the CD, coming to a town near you.
|
