Mad Jon McKinney
The Royal Nonesuch formed in 1982 in Tulsa Oklahoma, Jon McKinney (originally from LA., CA.) on guitar, Spike (or Nathan, he had a split personality) on bass guitar and vocals, and on drums, Jeff Radle (who's cousin Carl Radle of Tulsa was a bassists for Clapton). This band covering the Yardbirds, Who, Small Faces,.., (more of the mid 60's mod psychedelic genre) & Jon worked with Jeff (both avid 60's vinyl collectors), writing and arranging original material. The band perfomed at local punk venues along with several private weekly party sites.
Eventually moving to Springfield MO., and joining together with members of two other retro 60's genre bands, The Sparrows ('79-'82) and the Limit ('78-'83). Sparrows' (heavier mid to late 60's psychedelic genre cover band) members Walter Paisley, a 60's vinly collector, (bass) & Bez (guitar & vocals), joined with Limit's (more of a mod band) members Chris Fiedler (guitar & vocals) & John Marshall, a 60's vinly collector, (drums & vocals), as the Limit, and John and Chris basicly drafted former Sparrow drummer Jeff Radle (Paisley's brother) to continue as the regular percussionist on the tambourine and maracas to complete the sixties sound.
Later replacing Chris on guitar was band manager Jon McKinney , officially becoming the Royal Nonesuch, and for several years this line up performed around the Springfield area gaining a dedicated following.
Walt and John at The Blue Note
Playing gigs with bands such as The Edge (now Kings X), Uncle Tupelo (Wilco), Matt Guitar Murphy (Blues Brothers), Steve Pryor & the Kingsnakes (Tulsa OK.), The Belairs (Columbia MO.), Elvis Brothers (KC. MO.), Steve Bob & Rich (KC MO., now the Rainmakers), The Mistakes (Spfd, MO.) with Bill Brown (guitarist for Ozark Mt. Daredevils), and touring times with with Fool's Face (Spfd, MO.).
Also performing with other 60's cover bands, and at a time when most people were into the new wave following, making these gigs most appreciated, Tell Tale Hearts (San Diego, CA), Chesterfield Kings (Rochester, NY), & The Cynics (Pittsburg, PA.).
The Nonesuch also produced a music video that was aired regularly on Canada's music television station Much Music, and at one time airing up to 16 times per day. The music video was filmed, directed, and edited by Jim Holopter, a former Nonesuch member, who is now playing guiter in the Rumblejetts from Kansas City.
The band toured regularly and played Fayetteville AR., Tulsa OK., KC MO., Columbia MO., St Louis MO., and Chicago ILL. many times. Several tours to the east coast including Detroit MI., Minneapolis MN., Pittsburg PA., NYC., & Boston.
The band toured in a variety of vehicles ranging from a 1956 school bus converted to a camper (painted green), to a Country Squire station wagon, but not uncommon was a old hearse, a stetched old Checker cab with four doors on each side (painted black), and a Volkswagon bus too.
Bez On Guitar
Others sitting in later as percussionists have included Mr. Strange or now known as Dr. Kurtis and Mr. Howlin Alan , of the local gift emporiom Kaleidoscope, who also sat in as a vocalists for the recording of a demo.
A cartoon magazine was published and distributed, featuring Nonesuch characters, by artist Chris Cooper .
Then, for various reasons, the band stopped performing live for a period of time but maintained trips to the studio to record (including The Studio in downtown Springfield with owner Lou Whitney engineering). Jon McKinney moved to L.A. CA., and joined the Tell Tale Hearts and runs a small studio he owns, and John Marshall moved to St.L. MO. to join the Lettaceheads (is now playing with Swingset). Dr. Kurtis moved to San Diego CA., into film production now.
For five years the line up of guitars changed, (guitarists rotating from Kyle Donaldson , Larry Cataldo , & Chris Fiedler ), with Eric Williams as vocalist, Walt, Bez, and Radle on drums the band played under the name The Electric Corpse Grinders and only performed on Halloween.
Walt , Bez , Vic , & Eric tagged up with the Gin Blossom's ex-drummer, & performed as Rabbi Sputnik (not a pure 60's material band) for a few years.
Nonesuch gigs happen from time to time with different drummers, mainly John Marshall or Lloyd Hicks, guitars include Victor Davis and Bez, Walt on Bass, Eric as vocalist. Most recently the Royal Nonesuch has put on a few gigs in Springfield and played Fuzz Festivals in Columbia MO., and KC MO..
The Band has put out several EP's and 45's along with having songs on compilation albums in England, France, and Germany with other retro 60's bands.
Compilations still available include What Wave Magazines' issue of "Wave From The Grave Vol. 2" & "Garunge" , What Wave Records, (Radio What Wave airing Thursdays 7-8:30 on radio 94.9 CHRW London, Radio Western-sponsored by Speed City Records) for download of copies
Wave f/t Grave Vol 2 , or Garunge .
"Maximum EP" , 4 songs (France) which can be ordered from 442eme Rue, 64 Bd Georges Clemenceau, 89100 SENS - FRANCE or this website or email to [email protected] .
On "Thee Cave Comes Alive" , Action Records (Greece), the Nonesuch are featured on the cover, copies still floating around. Available through Bomp Records (France) or in the UK through Detour Records , and in the US at the Freak Emporium or Butterfly Records . A review of this LP is available in Shindig Magazine April 2004 .
"Garage Bands Revisited" (15 band compilation CD w/Nonesuch) with a 100 page magazine available in Switzerland at Digitfanzine .
Copies of the 45 "Why Should I Care / Two Can Play That Game" w/picture sleeve on Get Hip Records, Cannonsburg PA. are available in Numberg Germany, at
Greatest Hits Mail Order or here , or by sending an email to [email protected] .
