Biography [ Current Lineup | Past Members | Credits ] Current Lineup JoDina Vocals JoDina, the charismatic and wild front lady who goes by her first name only, is the founder and brainchild of The Foot. Rather fittingly she is a licensed Philadelphia funeral director and embalmer who decided one day that she was bored and wanted to turn her senile angst into upbeat humor and fun. Monitoring the local punk scene she realized that she couldn't sing either and gave it a start. She's responsible for song writing, management, recruiting and keeping the band together at the seams. Her trademarks are a Philadelphia screech, go-go boots, mini skirt and torn stockings, whip and chains. A grandma and mother of four she sells books and globes to schools during daytime. Gavan Wieser Bass, Keyboards Gavan, an ex-monk (no kidding!) in his late fifties, is one of the original members. Tall and thin with a white beard he can also be recognized by his trademark top hat or occasional bandana. Being the youngest he usually winds up shlepping around the equipment while the rest of the band parties (pretending their backs are hurting). He's also responsible for a lot of the witty and intelligent song writing and for management. He's an active musician and song writer for over 30 years and used to play country music. Gavan takes great interest in alternative and underground music and usually has some projects going on the side. When not maxed out with all of this he helps his wife Carol run an accounting business, Connelly Accounting in Glendale, Arizona. Dan Wall Guitar Dan joined One Foot In The Grave in 2000 to replace Bob Williams. Dan's a killer guitarist and he's got the attitude and the look. He's 50ish but loves the young chicks, so he tries to hide his age by playing a mean guitar. He thought getting tattooes would draw the girls to him but all he seems to attract are other musicians to tell him how great he plays. Ray Kosturik Drums Ray replaced Dave Cook in 2000. He is hitting 50 and has been power-hitting the drums in various band projects for nearly twenty years. He's a bundle of energy and his timing is impeccable, except that sometimes the song is over and he just can't get himself to stop playing, usually to JoDina's dismay. Vince Rosselli All Instruments Vince is a 72 year old born-again gigolo who loves to play all instruments but can't play any of them. He joined because he likes punk music and he sure shows it when he's on stage. He has to be seen to be believed, we won't tell you more here... Past Members Lowell Ebert Rhythm Guitar, 1995-2000 Lowell joined The Foot in 1995 at age 76 as an additional guitarist with jazz background. He was the oldest member at the time and it was always a blast to hear him play and see him doing his routine to the tune of "Cover Of The Rolling Stone". He favors Harleys and could be spotted by his "rising sun" head band. He usually tried to sneak home before the end of a set but was easily convinced that the gig wasn't over yet. Women felt compelled to throw their bras at him and occasionally flash their titties too. His least favorite song was "Shithead"... Bob "Spike" Williams Lead Guitar, 1995-2000 Bob replaced Bill Haislip on guitar and was a worthy heir to the studded Megadeth jeans jacket (see Danny and Bill below). This 1938-born country musician turned punk was noted for his Jimi Hendrix-style guitar playing behind his head and solid guitar leads. The origins of the nickname are not quite clear but he's proud of his "Spike" guitar picks. Dave Cook Drums, 1995-2000 Dave Cook joined the band in 1995 to replace Gino Costa (and Lou Naftulin) on drums. This self-taught drummer has been on the Phoenix jazz scene since 1959 and is considered a legend. He's not giving up his jazz bands but getting a chance to finally go to Europe was convincing enough for him to join The Foot. His other involvements include "Intensity", a Chicago-style quintet, the 15-piece "Atlantis Big Band" and a bebop five-piece called "New Vanguard". Dave Cook and Intensity was nominated for and won the 1996 New Times Music Award in the 'Best Jazz' category. Lou "Louie" Naftulin Drums, 1995 Not much personal data is known about Louie except that he was around a sensational 80 years old at the the time. He was a worthy stand-in for the irreplaceable Gino Costa for several live shows in 1995 and the recording of the "Old Farts" album. In preparation for the European Tour 1996 however, Dave Cook was hired on as a more permanent option (no pun intended). Gene "Gino" Costa Drums, 1988-1995 Gino, a retired court reporter, took up the drums when he turned 60. He heard he could meet cute chicks easier if he was in a rock band than by whistling at them from his golf cart. He was recruited by JoDina as the only applicant out of 12 who didn't walk right out when finding out that it was about a punk band. Gino's trademarks included a black beret, a leather jacket proclaiming "Elvis Lives" and a hilarious dance shtick. He left the band at age 79 because of emphysema. Mike Genova Guitar, 1992-1995 Mike, a medicine student with red Jello-dyed hair, was the "punk baby" when he was in the band in his early twenties. He kicked ass on guitar and is responsible for the solo on "Golf Cart Drivers From Hell" as well as "Chainsaw Mama" which he wrote for JoDina. He also made sure that the rest of the band took their pills on time and picked them up when they fell down. He supported The Foot on the first European tour but had to quit the band before the second tour in 1995 to tend to his formal education. However, he remains close to the band. Bill Haislip Guitar, 1994-1995 Bill Haislip, a nice old guy with biker-look and a mean guitar (he's been picking since age 6), replaced Danny Walters inheriting the famed Megadeth jeans jacket. Originally from Chicago he inspired the "C Da Foot" bumper sticker and was usually seen wearing a bandana on his head. He was 65 when he joined and left the band during the second European tour in 1995 at age 69. Danny Walters Guitar, Accordion, 1990-1991 Danny Walters served as an arranger for Lawrence Welk's band for 20 years until 1959. He completed the original Foot lineup in 1990 after Gino met him at a 1989 New Year's Eve free-lance booking and invited him to audition. Danny's trademark was a studded jeans jacket sporting the Megadeth logo on the back. He appeared on the first CD at age 75 but has since left the band because his wife beat him up after a young female fan threw her bra on stage. Ron Morey Guitar, 1988-1991 Ron Morey, a youngster under 30 at the time, was the inofficial fifth band member around the release of the "Lookin' Good! Who's Your Embalmer?" album and lent his guitar playing and song writing skills to the demo and the creation of "Menopause". He got involved in the band through his friendship with fellow stand-up comedian Joey Scazzola, one of JoDina's sons. Jim Elam Guitar, 1991 Jim, the 27-year old "token grandchild" at the time, was an alternating fifth member helping out wih the guitar work during live perfomances. Credits Concerts Arizona All-State Jam Local Arizona club scene Austin, TX Fort Worth, TX Houston, TX Germany Austria Netherlands Denmark Slovenia Opened For UK Subs Mojo Nixon Tiny Tim Jonathan Richman Flotsam & Jetsam James Dr. Rain Television All Local TV Stations, Phoenix, AZ MTV VH1 Entertainment Tonight A Current Affair Inside Edition Sally Jessy Rafael Show (Gino) Montel Williams Show Today Show PBS Across America Special (later titled "Road Scholar") Channel 8, San Diego, CA Good Morning New York ARD, Germany ZDF, Germany NDR, Germany VPRO Television, Amsterdam, Holland Yorkshire TV, England "3D" documentary series Radio KUKQ, Phoenix, AZ KMOX, St. Louis, MO Magazines and Papers All local newspapers, Phoenix, AZ Local music magazines, Phoenix, AZ Wall Street Journal Der Spiegel, Germany Rolling Stone, German edition People Magazine Fortune Magazine Exit Magazine Elle Magazine, Germany Senior Citizen Magazines across the country Newspapers in Germany, Holland and Denmark Newspaper in Moscow, Russia (followed by a fan letter of a 76-year old grandma) Last update 10-Mar-2002. © One Foot In The Grave. 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