Phil Pinson - Vocals, Guitar
I’ve been around live music since I was a toddler. My father was in a country music band that played regularly when we lived in Astoria Oregon in the late 50’s and early 60’s. In middle school I joined the orchestra and even played in the citywide youth symphony for Pueblo Co. Like my other band mates, except keyboard player Randy, I was in a rock band in high school having way too much fun! I decided early on though, I wasn’t going to try to make it in music. So much so, my wife Mary didn’t even know I could sing. She said singing with the radio didn’t count! Now with both of my children out of high school and with my wife’s blessing, I’m able to do what I really love. I feel really fortunate that not only are we all really good friends, but that our spouses are too. In fact, some of us have known each other for over 20plus years but didn’t know how talented the other was! To me, because of that harmony, we’ll be together for many years to come. We may even churn out some of our own music. Collectively, we sure have the talent to create some really good original music. I’m looking forward to it!
Phil Koger - Lead Guitar, Vocals
I’ve been playing guitar in bands since I was 13. Like so many young musicians in the 1960’s, I dreamed of being a rock-star. I worked/played my way through college in hopes of having a college degree to fall back on if I didn’t make it big; however, once I got my first job (I’m a high school social science teacher) with a regular paycheck, I gave up the dream. In the years between, I married my wonderful wife Mary and raised a great son, Sean. Twenty-five years later, I experienced the “empty-nest” syndrome when my son went off to college; so to fill the time, I started playing again acoustically with Gary Bates and Phil Pinson. Now nearly two-and-a half years later, I’m back playing professionally part-time and chasing the “rock-star” dream! I’m grateful for the opportunity to perform again and I give special thanks to my wife for her unending support and to my band mates who have become my “brothers from another mother”.
Garry Bates - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
I owe it all to my mom who let me play with a band in my bedroom when I was about 16 years old. I later played in a band called the “Cold Ducks”. We didn’t like the name but it stuck and we couldn’t get rid of it. After my daughter was born I stopped playing music in a band but I always had my guitar near by. When I bought my home I made a room my music room but that was short lived with the arrival of my son. I was kicked to the garage where Flipout presently practices once a week. I never imagined at this stage of my life I would be playing in a rock and roll band. I not only do something that I love but with a group of guys that I can call my friends as well as my band mates. thanks MOM!!
Randy Garell - Keyboards, Vocals
While I’ve played piano all my life FlipOut is the first band I’ve ever played in. I joined the band in November of 2007 and it has been a great learning experience for me in a number of ways. Learning to play with other musicians is challenging and fun. In college I used to manage rock ‘n roll bands and now I am seeing the other side of it – playing in a rock ‘n roll band. Even though I’ve been playing since I was a child, I still continue to take piano lessons; sometimes working on band material and sometimes on other music. While FlipOut is a “working band” I’ve kept my day job, which is President of The Grant Boys Inc. (a retail store) located in Costa Mesa, California.”
Matthew Matlock - Drums
Hello Flipout fans…I am Matthew Jay Matlock, born in Fullerton, CA in October 1972. My father bought me my first set of drums when I was 10 years old. I was really excited about playing the drums but was very bad at it…one year later, I sold the drum set.
My grandpa was in a band where his drummer left his drums at my grandparent’s house where I was able to occasionally play them while being accompanied by grandpa where I was able to learn a little thing called “timing.”
My mother helped me purchase my second set of drums in 1991 at the famous Guitar Center in Santa Ana, CA. My high school buddies and I started our first band, Pitch Black.
Now I am with Flipout having the time of my life! These guys are great musicians and awesome friends. I am really lucky to be with such a great group of guys…their wives rock too!!!