Every once in awhile a band shows up on the Tulsa scene that seems to have come out of nowhere. It must have been about a year and a half ago when I met Jeff and Keith. I was playing one night ar Four Aces Tavern and the bartender (Trish - in my opinion - one of the best bartenders in town) introduced me to these two guys from a band called "The Horny Toads". I thought to myself "Now - that's original". They must be from Texas (it takes some thought). I gotta check these guys out. It took awhile - but I finally had the chance to catch a few songs one night. It was a great show. It was everything a good bar band should be - but it seemed there was possibly more to them then just a good bar band. These kinds of bands really interest me. As I got to know them, I began to to understand it a bit more.

I, too, have taken long breaks from playing, and the way you view the business as a whole takes on a new light when you return. Their focus seems to be "play covers as a way to reach people with their original music". I guess it's a belief turned reality for some of us that have been doing this for awhile. Hey, what can we say? Electricity and food cost money! This band does something admirable - they have the guts to put their own twist on cover tunes - and to do this without hurting the song takes some work.These guys do it well.

What is it that makes it look so effortless? How did the band's following get so big, so quickly? And finally - where did they come from? It was like - BOOM - here we are! Well, let me tell ya'll something "we're all a little better off for it". It looks so effortless because they are talented. Why has The Horny Toad following grown so quickly? Partly because of an incredible support group made up of friends and family, and partly because of a hard rockin', high energy show that keeps you coming back for more. Where did they come from? Well - let's take a look at one of Tulsa's fastest rising bands:

"Jesse" Jeff James ( aka Triple J) lead vocalist - Jeff hails from Missouri but moved to the Tulsa area at an early age and finished up and finished up high school at Broken Arrow before attending OSU. Obviously this Toadster enjoys the limelight such a band can bestow upon it's frontman, and by giving it all he has at every performance he returns the favor in a way only a truly talented lead vocalist can - in huge truckloads of intense energy!

Keith Hough lead guitar, vocals - Growing up as an Air Force brat, Keith has lived all over the country. Arriving in Tulsa during his early teens, he is also a product of Broken Arrow High School. Attending college in Florida, he eventually found himself landing back in Tulsa sharing a cramped apartment with his roommate and now life-long friend Triple J. Even though Keith took time off from this crazy business to raise a family and start his own business - Tulsa Signs - one would never know it. The rust is knocked off and the cobwebs are blown out. As a founding member of The Toads, he is an extremely active foundation for the group. Booking shows, handling most of the internet correspondence, providing screaming guitar leads, belting out dead-on vocal harmony, or just groovin' on some three-chord blues - Keith is right there, just like seasoned pro should be. Playing in-your-face guitar and demanding your attention!

Chuck Bee bass/ vocals - Fairly new to town - Chuck comes to us from Newton, Kansas. He is a graduate of Friends University in Wichita, and has played bass for numerous Wichita based bands over the years. Chuck is one of those guys that comes off all laid back off-stage - then you put him ON-stage! Extremely competent. his years of experience are obvious. Solid and right in the middle of the beat, right where the bassist needs to be. Excellent!

Bobby D drums - Another product of Kansas - but this time from Kansas State University. His music pedigree starts with his grandfather who actually played with John Phillips Sousa (if you don't know who that is, go read a music history book). Bob started off as a percussionist (aka drummer) but switched to trumpet to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. Now - fast forward a few years. The drums were calling his name again - so as an adult he began to study percussion. Finally it hit him! Playing in a kick ass rock band is where it's at! His solid "in the pocket" drumming gives their music the groove that makes you get out of your chair and dance the night away. If you've ever seen the dance floor at a Toad's gig, it's usually packed. So it's really pretty simple - you can't tell it, but this is Bobby D's first rock band. And... he's kicking ass!

In January of this year Sweatin Bullets and The Horny Toads shared the stage for five nights at The Elephant Run during the Chili Bowl Race Week. Both bands had members suffering from the "crud" that was going around at that time - so i can honestly say they are true pro rockers. They are tough guys - and a tough act to follow, and I would proudly share the stage with them again. This is a band that delivers high energy, guitar driven rock that gets the audience involved in the show. In fact - the band WANTS participation from the crowd. The mixture of originals and covers are in styles ranging from rock, pop, and even some punk. So come on out and get rowdy with the Horny Toads.

I am SURE you will enjoy the show.

-Randy Cook (contributing writer)