Thomas O'Keefe
Encyclopedia
Thomas O'Keefe born January 22, 1964 in New Haven, CT is a North Carolina
musician best known for his work with Antiseen
and Train
.
His Family moved to North Carolina in 1978 and he attended South Iredell High School
, finishing in 1982.
After discovering punk rock, O'Keefe join and started a number of bands.
Jeff Leopard's first show was in Boone, NC on Oct 1st 1983.
Other NC Bands on that bill were N.R.G, Antiseen and Fetchin Bones
.
O'Keefe tried out for the lead guitar with Antiseen in 1984, but it never came to be.
"I was too broke to afford an amp" O'Keefe stated in a mid 90's Antiseen interview.
Judas Bullethead was the spinoff of Jeff Leopard. O'Keefe recorded it as Judas Leopard, his Jeff Leopard stage name.
Clayton recorded as "Bullethead" an old nickname given to him by Joe Young.
"If they Itch, Scratch Em" was released in 1987 and reviewed in Spin in 1987.
All instruments were played by Clayton and O'Keefe, even though neither was a drummer.
The follow-up "Honest, It's just a Cold Sore" was released in 1988.
Honest was recorded with a lot of studio musicians including members of the band Black Acid Disco.
After Judas Bullethead played a few shows, The band released 'The King is Dead / Oh Baby" in 1989 and went on Hiatus.
A long talked about Greatest Hits CD is still a possibility.
O'Keefe officially joined Antiseen
in 1988 and first recorded the Blood of Freaks EP.
Antiseen recorded over 20 records during the Early 90's. The band toured Europe 3 times and played concerts all over the US, including a cancelled show in Los Angeles on the day of the LA Riots.
O'Keefe recorded the Covers LP "Hell" and after a very short stint as the band's manager, He stopped playing in Antiseen
in the Fall of 1995.
----
HONOUR AMONG THIEVES
RAW SHIT
NOISE FOR THE SAKE OF NOISE
DESTRUCTO BLITZKRIEG
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN: MURDER JUNKIES
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY
EAT MORE POSSUM
EAT MORE POSSUM
TPOS release
----
10" Records
----
HELL
----
CD's
----
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN:MURDER JUNKIES
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY
NOISE FOR THE SAKE OF NOISE
THE DESTRUCTO YEARS
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN:MURDER JUNKIES
EAT MORE POSSUM
ZUMA/SAFEHOUSE
HELL
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY/EAT MORE POSSUM
----
Cassettes
----
LIVE AT THE PARK ELEVATOR
GG ALLIN AND ANTISEEN
THE DESTRUCTO YEARS
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY
EAT MORE POSSUM
----
8 Track Tapes
----
ANTiSEEN CONQUERS THE NORTH
----
7" Singles and EP's
----
BLOOD OF FREAKS
WXCI RADIO BROADCAST
TWO HEADED DOG/CAUSE I LOVE YOU
SPLIT w/RANCID VAT----KILL THE BUSINESS
WALKING DEAD/HAUNTED HOUSE
MY GOD CAN BEAT UP YOUR GOD/
PSYCHO KILLER/HEAVY MUD
TODAY YOUR LOVE/THE WITCH
IT LOOKS GOOD FOR THEM TO CARE/
FUCK ALL Y'ALL
SPLIT w/RANCID VAT
DATE RAPE
FORNICATION/I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF
THE EVIL ONES
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN
BARBECUED BRAINS
BOOTLEG
THE VAULT OF ANTiSEEN
WE GOT THIS FAR (WITHOUT YOU)/
(WE WILL NOT) REMEMBER YOU
SUB POP
RAID OVER EUROPE
TEAR IT UP
LIVE IN THE FATHERLAND
I'VE AGED TWENTY YEARS IN FIVE
MASTERS OF THE SKY/1969
SPLIT w/RANCID VAT
DEEDS OF THE DAMNED
SPLIT w/SEDUCER
CACTUS JACK
JAPANESE 7"
1+2
BLOOD OF FREAKS REISSUE
(Antiseen
drummer, Greg Clayton
was the drummer of Lustre)
After Lustre was dropped by A&M Records
, O'Keefe worked with D-Generation, Whiskeytown
, Stir, Mandy Moore
and Tonic
.
O'Keefe started Tour Managing Train
as their debut CD TRAIN was just hitting. Since 1999, TRAIN has played hundred of concerts in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.
He continues to work with TRAIN and Pat Monahan on his solo tours.He also toured with Rockstar Supernova in 2007 with Johnny Colt
, Lucas Rossi, Gilby Clarke
and Tommy Lee
.
O'Keefe and Train Bassist Johnny Colt
opened NoDa Studios in Charlotte, NC in 2007
NoDa Studios is a Band Rehearsal Facility which serves as home away from home to many working NC musicians.
O'Keefe played with Antiseen
for their 25th anniversary show in Charlotte
in the fall of 2008.
O'Keefe has started a new band "Thomas O'Keefe and the ShitBirds".
Members include Barry Hannibal (ex antiseen drummer)
They played the 25th Anti-Versary show in Charlotte in Sept 2008 and have continued to play random shows in the Carolinas into late 2008-early 09
Their Daughter, Sophia, was born in Raleigh in October 2007.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
musician best known for his work with Antiseen
Antiseen
Antiseen is an American punk rock band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina by vocalist JeffClayton and guitarist Joe Young, the sole members to have remained for the entire existence of the group...
and Train
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
.
Early years
O'Keefe lived in Connecticut until the age of 14.His Family moved to North Carolina in 1978 and he attended South Iredell High School
South Iredell High School
South Iredell High School is a public school located near Troutman, North Carolina and is part of the Iredell-Statesville school system. South Iredell High is designated an Expected Growth School of Distinction by the North Carolina ABCs Accountability program. It educates students from surrounding...
, finishing in 1982.
After discovering punk rock, O'Keefe join and started a number of bands.
Antiseen and Judas Bullethead
O'Keefe and Jeff Clayton started Jeff Leopard in 1983 and released "Jeff Leopard Live at the Yellow Rose" in 1984Jeff Leopard's first show was in Boone, NC on Oct 1st 1983.
Other NC Bands on that bill were N.R.G, Antiseen and Fetchin Bones
Fetchin Bones
Fetchin Bones was a cross-genre rock band from North Carolina. During a five-year career they produced four albums but were most celebrated for their consistently inspired live performances. As one reviewer put it they were "a band that must be seen live for a full grasp of their eclectic frenzy"...
.
O'Keefe tried out for the lead guitar with Antiseen in 1984, but it never came to be.
"I was too broke to afford an amp" O'Keefe stated in a mid 90's Antiseen interview.
Judas Bullethead was the spinoff of Jeff Leopard. O'Keefe recorded it as Judas Leopard, his Jeff Leopard stage name.
Clayton recorded as "Bullethead" an old nickname given to him by Joe Young.
"If they Itch, Scratch Em" was released in 1987 and reviewed in Spin in 1987.
All instruments were played by Clayton and O'Keefe, even though neither was a drummer.
The follow-up "Honest, It's just a Cold Sore" was released in 1988.
Honest was recorded with a lot of studio musicians including members of the band Black Acid Disco.
After Judas Bullethead played a few shows, The band released 'The King is Dead / Oh Baby" in 1989 and went on Hiatus.
A long talked about Greatest Hits CD is still a possibility.
O'Keefe officially joined Antiseen
Antiseen
Antiseen is an American punk rock band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina by vocalist JeffClayton and guitarist Joe Young, the sole members to have remained for the entire existence of the group...
in 1988 and first recorded the Blood of Freaks EP.
Antiseen recorded over 20 records during the Early 90's. The band toured Europe 3 times and played concerts all over the US, including a cancelled show in Los Angeles on the day of the LA Riots.
O'Keefe recorded the Covers LP "Hell" and after a very short stint as the band's manager, He stopped playing in Antiseen
Antiseen
Antiseen is an American punk rock band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina by vocalist JeffClayton and guitarist Joe Young, the sole members to have remained for the entire existence of the group...
in the Fall of 1995.
Discography with Antiseen
LP's----
HONOUR AMONG THIEVES
RAW SHIT
NOISE FOR THE SAKE OF NOISE
DESTRUCTO BLITZKRIEG
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN: MURDER JUNKIES
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY
EAT MORE POSSUM
EAT MORE POSSUM
TPOS release
----
10" Records
----
HELL
----
CD's
----
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN:MURDER JUNKIES
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY
NOISE FOR THE SAKE OF NOISE
- ALSO RELEASED IN EUROPE ON ZUMA LABEL
THE DESTRUCTO YEARS
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN:MURDER JUNKIES
EAT MORE POSSUM
ZUMA/SAFEHOUSE
HELL
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY/EAT MORE POSSUM
----
Cassettes
----
LIVE AT THE PARK ELEVATOR
GG ALLIN AND ANTISEEN
THE DESTRUCTO YEARS
SOUTHERN HOSTILITY
EAT MORE POSSUM
----
8 Track Tapes
----
ANTiSEEN CONQUERS THE NORTH
- INCLUDES WXCI RADIO BROADCAST 7" AS WELL AS 6 EXTRA TRACKS
----
7" Singles and EP's
----
BLOOD OF FREAKS
WXCI RADIO BROADCAST
TWO HEADED DOG/CAUSE I LOVE YOU
SPLIT w/RANCID VAT----KILL THE BUSINESS
WALKING DEAD/HAUNTED HOUSE
MY GOD CAN BEAT UP YOUR GOD/
PSYCHO KILLER/HEAVY MUD
TODAY YOUR LOVE/THE WITCH
IT LOOKS GOOD FOR THEM TO CARE/
FUCK ALL Y'ALL
SPLIT w/RANCID VAT
DATE RAPE
FORNICATION/I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF
THE EVIL ONES
GG ALLIN & ANTiSEEN
BARBECUED BRAINS
BOOTLEG
THE VAULT OF ANTiSEEN
WE GOT THIS FAR (WITHOUT YOU)/
(WE WILL NOT) REMEMBER YOU
SUB POP
RAID OVER EUROPE
TEAR IT UP
LIVE IN THE FATHERLAND
I'VE AGED TWENTY YEARS IN FIVE
MASTERS OF THE SKY/1969
SPLIT w/RANCID VAT
DEEDS OF THE DAMNED
SPLIT w/SEDUCER
CACTUS JACK
JAPANESE 7"
1+2
BLOOD OF FREAKS REISSUE
Tour manager
O'Keefe first worked as a tour manager with Lustre in 1996.(Antiseen
Antiseen
Antiseen is an American punk rock band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina by vocalist JeffClayton and guitarist Joe Young, the sole members to have remained for the entire existence of the group...
drummer, Greg Clayton
Greg Clayton
Greg Clayton is a jazz guitarist born in Montreal, Quebec.He is on the list of 100 best jazz guitarists and has been on the cover of CODA.- External links :*http://www.gregclayton.com...
was the drummer of Lustre)
After Lustre was dropped by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
, O'Keefe worked with D-Generation, Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown was an alternative country band formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1994. Fronted by Ryan Adams, other members included Caitlin Cary, Phil Wandscher, Eric "Skillet" Gilmore, and Mike Daly. They disbanded in 2000, with Adams leaving to pursue his solo career...
, Stir, Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Moore became famous as a teenager in the late 1990s, after the release of her teen pop albums So Real, I Wanna Be with You, and Mandy Moore. In 2007, she took an adult pop-folk direction with the release of...
and Tonic
Tonic (band)
Tonic is an American rock band that has earned two Grammy nominations to date. The band was formed in 1993 by Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Later members have included Dan Lavery, Kevin Shepard, and Dan Rothchild. Signed to a recording contract in 1995, the band released its debut album Lemon Parade...
.
O'Keefe started Tour Managing Train
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
as their debut CD TRAIN was just hitting. Since 1999, TRAIN has played hundred of concerts in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.
He continues to work with TRAIN and Pat Monahan on his solo tours.He also toured with Rockstar Supernova in 2007 with Johnny Colt
Johnny Colt
Johnny Colt is an American bass guitar player.-Biography:He was the original bassist for The Black Crowes which formed in Atlanta, Georgia. After leaving the Black Crowes he went on to form the Brand New Immortals with guitarist David Ryan Harris and drummer Kenny Cresswell. Colt played bass for...
, Lucas Rossi, Gilby Clarke
Gilby Clarke
Gilbert "Gilby" Clarke is an American guitarist and record producer best known for a 3-year tenure as the rhythm guitarist of Guns N' Roses, replacing Izzy Stradlin in 1991 during the Use Your Illusion Tour...
and Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
.
Other projects
O'Keefe continues to manage Columbus, OH rock band Watershed.O'Keefe and Train Bassist Johnny Colt
Johnny Colt
Johnny Colt is an American bass guitar player.-Biography:He was the original bassist for The Black Crowes which formed in Atlanta, Georgia. After leaving the Black Crowes he went on to form the Brand New Immortals with guitarist David Ryan Harris and drummer Kenny Cresswell. Colt played bass for...
opened NoDa Studios in Charlotte, NC in 2007
NoDa Studios is a Band Rehearsal Facility which serves as home away from home to many working NC musicians.
O'Keefe played with Antiseen
Antiseen
Antiseen is an American punk rock band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina by vocalist JeffClayton and guitarist Joe Young, the sole members to have remained for the entire existence of the group...
for their 25th anniversary show in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
in the fall of 2008.
O'Keefe has started a new band "Thomas O'Keefe and the ShitBirds".
Members include Barry Hannibal (ex antiseen drummer)
They played the 25th Anti-Versary show in Charlotte in Sept 2008 and have continued to play random shows in the Carolinas into late 2008-early 09
Personal life
O'Keefe married his longtime girlfriend Stephanie on October 2, 1999 in Blowing Rock, NC and they live outside Raleigh, NC.Their Daughter, Sophia, was born in Raleigh in October 2007.