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It all began in 1969 when my dear Aunt gave me that Sears kit, at right, for
a Christmas present. She thought I would bang it for a few weeks, and then toss it aside like most kids do. Well, I banged
on it until it fell apart! I then convinced my Dad to start me out with some snare drum lessons and then soon thereafter I
was proud owner of a vintage orange sparkle Ludwig 4 pc.! (barely can be seen in the Hot Ice photo!). I then moved onto set
lessons from LaDuca Bros. (where I learned to read music) and was soon playing along with my older brother's Monkee"s records!
Once I developed at least some form of groove, I was able to sit with my Dad, (a guitarist around the Milwaukee
wedding scene, who played with such greats as Ralph Hanzel!) at some parties and weddings. As so it went for a few short years
until I discovered.............."Kiss Alive!"
Well, to say the least, that was the beginning of my path down Rock and Roll. A 7th grade school friend of mine
and his younger brother, (who also discovered Kiss) put together "Hot Ice". I attended a Catholic grade school mind you, and
I remember the look and gasp's of my music teacher, Sister Mary something or other, when I brought Kiss Alive in for
show and tell! We were never viewed the same again! Hot Ice went on to perform at a few parties, dances etc. with such favorites
as Strutter, some Bad Co. and Doobies! Space doesn't permit so I will condense the rest of my school years. Hot Ice turned
into "Iron Cross" when we hit High School. I went on to form Black Irix with some other classmates and with that band, we
even performed at the old uptown theater! Then through a friend of a friend of the band I was introduced to Craig "hoops"
Kelm which eventually led to..............................."Bad Habit."
Now this was cool! I was to replace the infamous Hector "Jackie" Ramos! The lead singer at the time of my audition, took
the band out to the porch of the original "House of Sham" and said "The kid ain't gonna cut it." Well, they fired the
singer and to this day in some circles I am still known as The Kid. Now I was in the big time, playing all the clubs on the
local scene, (not yet even 19) taking a few road trips in and out of state, even having roadies take care of my
kit! Moving on, that eventually ended and the next project to be was "The Tunes", which then evolved into "Thrills Galore".
The first version of Thrills hooked up with an agent out of Denver, Colorado, and we hit the road. This was in the very
early 80's and the clubs out west would book you for a week at a time. Tuesday thru Saturday. We toured all over the west
and southwest. Colorado, Texas, Utah, Arizona, Iowa, Nebraska, anywhere we could. I was on a salary, motels paid for and pooltime
every afternoon! Let me tell you, those were the days! I could go on and on with enough stories to write a book, so I will
move on to Thrills version 2. I was able to convince my best bud and guitar player Steve Draeger to join up. We then continued,
recorded the "Guaranteed" album and played on...................................
I eventually had had enough travel for a while, got married, lived in Colorado for a few years, ended up moving
back to Milwaukee and then on a fateful night in 1989...................................came a call to do a "Bad Habit reunion,
thereafter known as "The late gig" at The Stone Toad. I agree'd.
In the crowd that night was the infamous Chris Martinez and imcomparable Robb Hanshaw. They were putting a new band
together and I signed on. That became known as "Stiletto". At the time, Tom Roach was the lead singer and we recorded the
self titled demo. He left to be replaced by THE one and only Darryl Radtke and Problem Child was born. Literally. I then had
a chance to re-join my good friend Steve in a band called "Warp Drive". So I did.
Nalli recording artists, based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, I began touring again. This time all up and down the east
coast. Not as easy as Thrills though. We were an original act, trying to support the cd "gimme, gimme". It was pretty cool
though, pulling into a one nighter in Raleigh, SC, where you were getting local airplay, play all your own music to
a packed house, and split! Again, enough stories to write a book! Ah..........and again I had enough of touring for NO money,
sleeping in a van with 3 other dudes and eating PBJ's so I went back home and yep................re-joined Problem Child!
Well, after a short while, I was able to convince my old friend Steve again to join up. We needed a strong writer, and
off we went. We recorded 2 cd's, "Smashing Time" and "Stories of the Ape", won a Wami for "Best Metal Act", received regular
rotaion on Lazer 103, and played on. Again, I have to repeat myself, enough stories to write a book, maybe 2! Anybody who
saw and remembers us will know, and those that never did, I just can' put it into words! We played on...................................until
Robb took his dreams out to Arizona and we disbanded. I went to my basement with out any drums.......
Then a call regarding Kevin Brandt, otherwise known as kb from WKLH. Now keep up with me. Steve Miller, bass player in
Bad Habit, knew Jay, who played with Tom, and needed Jay to take the place of Steve in the Bad Habit re-union. So
I met Jay and then when Jay joined kb and they needed a new drummer, Jay called me. I was offered the gig without even having
a drumset ( I had sold my previous one for studio gear, another story) and kb's midlifecrisis played on. The Mapex was purchased,
and we played on.......
That band gave me the pleasure of playing with some outstanding musicians (mentioned elseware) and eventually kb quit,
we reformed, became "The Crisis", and alas, brings me up to date.
Thank you for taking the time and now you know the rest of the story.
I am currently employed by CenturyTel Inc. based out of North Prairie, Wi. I am a Business Systems Technician. I install,
maintain and troubleshoot telecom systems, networks, broadband, and internet. I have been doing this since 1998.
The Crisis is a great stress reliever and provides the ultimate balance between work, family and play. I hope to continue
as long as it is fun and I am physically able!
Cya,
Jim
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