When did the band begin? I was a keyboardist in a bad rock cover band made up of other kids I went to school with called Future Shock. I was 13 and had a little mini-Farfisa organ and we played Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes, etc. We practiced at the drummer’s house because he owned the P.A. (to whom I owe a lot of gratitude because he taught me the most important lesson I’ve ever learned as a musician: the guy that owns the P.A. gets to name the band…do the math yourself). This drummer had a dorky “kid” neighbor who was a whole two years younger than the rest of the band. He would hear us practicing (how could you not?) and come over and hang out quietly.
WELL, this kid would play the same instrument I was playing in jazz band (bass) and, um well, he quickly got placed into the “A” Jazz band while I wallowed in the “B” one even as a senior. He was amazing. He went on to be amazing in a bunch of bands in St. Louis while I went on to the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, moved to LA, then returned home. A great player, a great guy, and again most importantly fun for me to hang out with, that guy is Dave Eckhoff. I can’t believe I’ve tricked him into playing with us. He is the fifth member of the Kevin Mitchell 4.
