Like Mother, Like Daughter

I couldn't believe what she had done.  She was stealing my guitars and clothes and selling them for money drug money.  I honestly don't know what pissed me off more at the time.  Her stealing from me or the fact that she wasn't sharing.  Corney and stupid I know, but I was really strung out back then.

Nikki had confronted Shannon and a large argument ensued.  It would eventually lead to the Mistress' dissolution and cancellation of their "Endless Frettless" tour only 3 shows in.  Jon had managed to convince Nikki to officially join him and the other Amateurs.  She would be their guitarist and he would take over Mike's vocal role. 

Micheal was very understanding.  He knew we weren't really a true blues act which is what he wanted to do in the first place.  I kept in touch with him though.  I actually helped produce his last album.

The revamped Professional Amateurs released their 3rd studio album, entirely financed by the siblings.  Titled "Flying with the Phoenix" it included material Jon had written during  "For Hire" as well as the usual pinch of covers.  The penultimate track though was the album's namesake, a 12-minute instrumental with Jon back on drums, Nikki on guitar and Aaron on bass. 

Art: (c) Robert L Hurt, used without permission, found via Google Image Search

Jon got the idea from Satriani's "Surfing with the Alien" album, if it wasn't obvious enough.  The song though was my idea.  I wanted to play something that was kinda autobiographical but without words.  Something to show the ups and downs and everything.  I still can't believe we did it in one take.  

Pretty much lightning in a bottle.  I wish we could have reproduced it.  We tried playing it a couple of times during some house shows and it never quite sounded right.  And now that Aaron's not with us, I don't think it would be the same to do it with Tall-Boy.

However Nikki never recovered from her bouts of depression and drug use and it was weighing on Jon.

Nikki was a mess most of the time.  Popping uppers before a show or nursing a bottle in the studio, she was always on something.  I found her crying a lot either in her room or on the bus.  I kept trying to reach out to her but she was just angry at everything and everyone and wanted to just lash out. 

Nicole was driving down Highway 1 from San Fransisco to LA when she drifted into the oncoming lane and driven up the mountainside, flipping her vehicle.  She was traveling at speeds in excess of 90 miles an hour. 
She was in critical condition at the scene as was life flighted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.  Upon arrival, she was unconscious with massive internal bleeding.  Later, blood testing would show a .203 BAC as well as traces of heroin and methamphetamine in her system.

Nikki's accident

I started getting flashbacks from Texas.  First mom and now Nikki.  She required a transfusion and had to spend 13 hours in surgery.  Even after all that, the doctors said she might not make it.  After that though...  That was hard.  She was in a coma for 9 months after that.  And the damage done...  she had to have a lot of plastic surgery done.  I was really scared.

The Final Heartbreak

It had been two years since Jon was fired from the Frettless Mistresses when Shannon called him back.

She called to apologize.  She had had enough of Lawrence and wanted me back as a manager, a drummer and as a friend.  Like an idiot I just came running back.

What Jonny didn't know was that Lawrence had actually quit.  He couldn't control Shannon any more since she had hit rock bottom and started to dig.  I mean the girl was doing everything, drinkin', smokin', snortin', poppin', shootin', you name it, she was pretty much doing it.  But I couldn't really say anything cause I was right there along with her.  We had become a female version of Tyler and Perry during their 'Toxic Twin' years.

Jon's first act as manager was to organize a nationwide tour.  In order to keep costs down it was played in smaller venues and pyrotechnics were limited.  Dubbed the "Stripped and Bare" tour, it was a marginal success and it opened the door for further ideas such as a new album or tour.  Word of mouth that the original line up was back together helped. 

I was blind to what was going on though.  I was just so happy to have my girls back and planning the "Endless Frettless" tour when the shit hit the fan.  Nikki and Shannon were always either fighting or wasted but we didn't even get to our fifth show when it all blew up. 

When I saw what she had done, my first thought was, "I'm going to kill that bitch."

Getting Lost in a New Direction

Wanting to further distance himself from his previous band mates and persona of 'Big Unit' Jon headed south to Louisiana and adopted the new moniker Nocren. 

Jonathon Valor - AKA Nocren

I let people talk about weather or not it was me, but it didn't really matter since I stepped out from behind the kit and took up guitar.  I wanted to take the Amateurs on the road and not just be a studio only project.  I also wanted to create a new sound, either for some new material or if we were going to stick with doing covers, at least making them our own.

The different sound would come from drummer James Skinner, a Rastafarian with a love for Keith Moon, Cozy Powell and Niel Pert and Mike Singer, an old school blues man with heroes like Bo Didley, BB King, and Muddy Waters.

Professional Amateurs - "Foot in the Door" Photo Session

I don't know what the hell Jon was thinking.  I mean, we got a new sound alright but I know what the hell you would call it.  Touring wasn't so bad but luckily they deferred to Jon for most things, since he was in creative control and all.  Jimmy and Mike were kinda just along for the ride. 

I didn't want a repeat of what happened with the Mistresses.  Luckily the guys were pretty cool about the whole thing after I told them my side of the story.  But yeah, I guess since we took such a drastic turn our albums sales suffered.

That would an understatement.  "Foot in the Door" sold poorly, enough to pull funding for the tour after only 3 dates.  By spending his own money, Jon continued the tour, albeit at much smaller venues. 

I think that Mike liked that a lot more.  He was used to a more intimate crowd and after a couple of shows, I got into it too.  Kinda getting back to the roots after playing a bunch of arena shows.  But then I got a blast from the past that I sure as hell wasn't expecting.

A Big Bang and a Short Fuse

Frettless Mistresses - Promotional Still from the Domination tour

The Mistresses had started off strong with solid albums sales over 3 records and the corresponding tours managed to sell out every time.  However there was a small rift forming that over time, would eventually tear the band apart.

I was writing new material for a new album, but Shannon just wanted to keep playing the same stuff over and over.  And I get that, it's what the fans want, but I know that some of them want new stuff.  Hell, my favorite Rush albums are all stuff that doesn't get played on the radio; Presto, Bones, Echo, Trails, Snakes.   I needed a creative outlet so I started up a side band, The Professional Amateurs.

With Jon pulling double duties drumming for the Mistresses and creating new material for the Amateurs, something had to give.  He gave up his managerial duties for the Mistresses.

Jonny just wasn't around much except for rehearsals so it's not like it wasn't a big shock.  Shannon said she new guy that would help out, "ease the burden" as she said.  Of course, the guy was more interested in Shannon than us as a band.

Lawrence Williams became the Frettless Mistresses' manager as Jonathon spent more time in the studio producing tracks for the Amateurs.

I spent way to much time in the studio and I paid the price and broke the cardinal rule;  I missed the first opening gigs of our last tour.  Lawrence was good enough to get a tour drummer on short notice but the damage was done.  I was neglecting my family and spending too much time with my side project and buddy Joy.

Aaron Joy was a friend of Jonathon's from back in Sacramento.  A studio musician of some talent, Aaron would initially play bass on the Professional Amateurs' first three albums. He would also become Jon's counselor when Shannon dropped the bombshell.

Aaron Joy - Bassist, Professional Amateurs

AJ: Yeah, it was rough on Jon.  Shannon admitted that she was sleeping with Lawrence, their manager, and that since he had missed tour dates, he was fired.  I still can't get over what she did to him.  I mean the dude practically built that band from the ground up and they go and yank it right out from under him.  

At first, I agreed with the decision.  Jonny missed dates and wasn't spending a whole of time with us anymore, not even during rehearsal. However, it started getting bad.  Shannon had started getting crazier and crazier, usually at Larry's suggestion.  Doing lines of coke, injecting junk, drinking...  I tried to keep Wolfie away but she wound up consoling me a few times.  It started getting bad though when Larry started coming on to both of us.  I mean, the dude was already porking the kid's mom, what more did he want?  Then Shannon started coming on to me as well.  Things got worse and I started pulling away, eventually following in Shannon's steps.

Jonathon and Aaron worked in the studio full time to produce the Amateurs' first album.  Joy also had the secondary duty of making sure Jon didn't sink further into depression. 

Jon gets pretty creative when he's depressed, but he wrote some dark stuff. I mean it was a complete Fleetwood Mac/Rumors scenario going on.  What got me though was him blaming his sister.  Dude was pretty upset about Nikki betraying him.  It was so bad we had to get a second producer in to mix the tracks that Nikki played on since Jon didn't want to do ANYTHING with her and wouldn't even share studio space. 

The Professional Amateurs' first album "For Hire" was a collection of covers featuring Aaron on bass and Jon playing drums, vocals and about 2/3 of the songs on guitar.  The break-away hit was a cover of P!nk's "So What?" featuring Nikki on guest guitar.

It was like a mini reunion of sorts and because of Nikki's playing the fans bought it.  I honestly believe that we wouldn't have gotten a second album if it wasn't for her. 

Making it Big and a Family Reunion

Jon had moved to Sacramento earlier in the year to join the blossoming music scene there, hoping to make it with the next Oleander or Papa Roach.  It was there he met Shannon Glauson and Leah Wolfkin, a mother and daughter duet.  Jon had offered to help produce as well as play drums on a couple of demo tracks.  Eventually the relationship between Jon and Shannon deepened.

Shannon Glauson - Vocalist, Frettless Mistresses

It just sort of happened.  We spent a lot of time together, mixing in the booth and brainstorming ideas.  It didn't help that Wolfie reminded me a lot of Nicole.  

It was during a promo tour in San Fransisco where Jonathon would be reunited with a familiar face.  

We had decided to hit up an Unsigned Bands festival in San Fran to throw out some demos and maybe get our name known outside of Sac.  I had heard about this hot-shot guitar goddess that everyone was raving about, calling her the next Orithani, so we managed to check out her set.  As soon as I saw her, I knew. 

Nicole Feather had taken the stage name of Nikki Falcon with what would become her signature, pink hair and white hats.

Young Nikki

I took the name as a kind of tribute to Sheryl Crow, but the hair was all me.  I needed something to stand out from the other 'young guns' so to speak.  

Nicole had already been touring for the past few months, free from her father's controlling grip now that she was of age.

As soon I was able, I managed to get back stage and the first thing I did was hug my sister.  I introduced her to Leah and Shannon and she instantly took a liking to them.  It was like we instantly became one be happy family again.

With Nikki on guitar, the group recorded a new set of demo tracks which became an overnight success.  Jon took over managing the band as well as drumming.

With the group consisting of 3 ladies up front and 1 guy in the back, we decided on the name Frettless Mistresses.  For some strange reason, maybe because of Nikki, we also decided to come up with these outrageous stage personas.  

Shannon Glauson became Shanmanglow, dressing in reactive colors and body/facepaint with a black-light trained on her.  

It was a really cool effect when we first started out.  But once we started playing bigger venues the effect kinda got lost.  

Leah took a more simplistic approach, shortening her last name into her persona.

It was simple enough.  Leah would dress in near rags with a wolf painted on her face and act kind of feral on stage.  Jon's name though, that drew a lot of looks. 

Jonathon would take the moniker 'Big Unit'.

It was a tribute to my dad since he was called Unit back in the day.  Also, I figured people would ask why is this one guy hanging out with three hot women and well, I let people draw their own conclusions from my name.  It was either that or be known as the Gimp.

Jonathon in make-up and costume as Big Unit.

Tragedy and Seperation

Life continued for the brother and sister.  Their mother, Julia would eventually separate from Nicole's father and in doing so moved the family to central Texas for a fresh start.  However tragedy would befall the family.

It was a local music festival in Austin for the summer and I managed to convince mom to drive us up there for it. I had never been to a big street festival before and I was just overwhelmed.  Mom drifted away from us in the crowd but Nikki kept to me like glue.  I remember finding the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn and just standing in front of it with my eyes closed and letting the music from the different stages and various performers reach my ears.  

(Embarrassed)  Oh God.... I remember Jonny just standing in front of the statue and I pull on his sleeve and ask 'who is that?' and he says 'A god among guitarists.  A legend that will never be finished.'  Then I said 'he doesn't look that hot' at which point Jon grabs my arm and he half runs, half drags me to a record stand and he buys Texas Flood.  And he manages to convince mom to play it over and over on the drive back to Killeen.

Unfortunately, the family never made it back to Killeen, TX.  During the drive back, just outside of town a drunk driver had veered into the oncoming lane and stuck their car in an off-center head-on collision.

 

Julia was pronounced dead at the scene and Jonathon and Nicole had move back in with their respective fathers once they had recovered from the crash.  They were 16 and 9 at the time.  It would be the first time they were separated in nearly a decade.

When mom died, it really hurt. We had to move back in with our dads and Nikki wasn't very happy about that.  I mean, there was a reason mom left him and I sure as hell didn't like the bastard.  Because of the accident, we were going to get some money so he wasn't going to let my dad take in both of us.  As we were packing up our stuff, I gave her the guitar.  Since I was moving back with my dad, I could get back to drumming and I wanted her to have something to remember me by. 

I hated living with my dad.  He blew through the money from the settlement in two months and I don't think I dime of it went towards me beyond housing and food, cause I sure as hell didn't have anything when I left.  I will say this about the bastard.  If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be the guitarist I am right now.

To get away from her abusive father, Nicole would spend hours locked in her room practicing on the guitar her brother had given her.  It wouldn't be till years later when they would see each other again.

I had moved out of my dad's and headed up to Sacramento.  It was cheaper than living in San Fransisco and there was a blossoming music scene there and I wanted to get in on it.  I posted ads and did auditions, even sat in for a couple of other auditions where I just provided a simple beat for someone else.  Hey, a paying gig was a paying gig.  

After the separation Jon and Nicole had kept in touch via letters and weekly phone calls.  Jon made an effort to remain in contact even after his move.  But eventually the letters only went one way.

After awhile her letters and calls stopped coming.  I kept writing and leaving messages on her cellphone but eventually I stopped writing as well.  There just wasn't a point.  Besides, business was starting to pick up and I had other things on my mind.

A Brief Overview and Personal History

What started as a side project turned into one of rock's biggest bands and a tour de force of emotions, heart-break, drugs and music.  Join us as we go Beyond the Band and take a look at the Professional Amateurs.

Jonathon Valor - Founder/Frontman of the Professional Amateurs

JV: If you want someone to blame for all this, blame my dad. (chuckles)  He got me started with music at an early age and was always a big influence on my life.

Following in his father's footsteps, Jon began drumming at the age of 5

He was very big into music.  Unfortunately, grandpa wasn't.  Dad got me my first drum kit for Christmas my fifth year after spending so much time sitting on his lap and banging on the snares and toms.  He joked that I had to learn to throw in bass kicks at some point.  

But the life at home was broken when his parents filed for divorce.  Jonathon's mother, Julia Feathers, had cited irreconcilable differences and was eventually given full custody of Jon.
 
I wont say she stunted my growth musically, but it's kinda difficult to practice and play without a kit available to you.  I remember arranging texts books around my desk and and tap out rhythms on the covers. . 

Eventually even the textbooks kit had to be put away as someone else entered young Jon's life.  A woman that would become a central part of it for the next decade, his sister Nicole.

Nicole Feathers/Nikki Falcon - Guitarist of the Professional Amateurs

NF: Mom had it rough and Jonny was there to take care of us.  I saw my brother a lot more than our mom for a long time since she was always working to make sure we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. 

Yeah, we were latchkey kids.  Not at first obviously, but once Nikki hit 1st grade mom started working longer hours and I had to start taking care of the baby.  I kept my dad informed of everything and told him that we were kinda crammed into a small apartment but I still wanted to play music.  For my birthday that year, he sent me a cheap Ibaniz acoustic guitar.

I think I still have that guitar somewhere...  Jonny would play for me every night before bed.  Usually badly (laughs).