Elf Puppets
Purveyors of rock music today have several decades of artists and styles from which to draw influence. The Elf Puppets, a Dallas-based quartet, weave elements of rock musics diverse repertoire into their original compositions.
From the psychedelia of the 60s to the funk and hard rock of the 70s and the metal / grunge of the 80s and 90s, some of the best aspects of these musical eras have fused their way into the songs of the Elf Puppets.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Singer (Kelly O'Shea) and guitarist (Clinton Alden) met in summer of 1986. The band's first live performance was Janauray of 87. Kelly wound up playing a band with Drummer (R.J. Kushmaul) in Late 88. Clinton joined their band in March of 93.
By 95 everybody split for awhile, (in search of jobs, wives and adventure, music wasn't exactly paying the bills either) . Finally in November of 98 Clinton and Kelly re-united, recorded a four songs, that they had written together over the years, and produced their first demo CD.
"We wanted RJ as the drummer from the very start. Kelly and I had both jammed with RJ and were totaly comfortable with him. 'ehs one of us, know what I mean? A beattle," We had to wait for him to finish his gig with six flags for the summer.
By decmeber 99 the band (RJ, Kelly and Clinton) and found a bass player. (He lasted about three - four weeks) they found another guy and he lasted on and off for about a year and half. It wasn't until June of 2001, that the band found bassist Brian Wies. Doctor Wies, that is. (A beattle, yeah know what I mean?")
Since then everything has been completely fluid. The chemistry in this band is the best any of us have ever experience with four other people. Our writing and musical skills, not only as individuals, has grown and matured but together as a performaing unit, we just feel each other musically, know matter what's happening. We just click.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We like playing live over being dead any day. It's more fun that way, know what I mean?
Your musical influences
The four of us are influenced from a wide variety of music. Kelly likes Elvis, RJ likes Mettalica, Clinton likes Van Halen, Brian Likes Rush.
We really dig all music. Everything from Motzart to Frank Sinatra to John Lee Hooker to who ever, if it's "good", who give's a sh*t what genre it is! It's all good, it's all one.
What equipment do you use?
TAMA Drums
Kubiki Basses
Sure Mikes for Vocals
Fender / Jackson / Charvel Guitars
Anything else?
Be cool and remember to Elf yourself not once, but twice a day! (wink wink, nudge nudge)
