Tim Hovey: Guitar & Vocals

Tim is an ex-long-haired hippie rocker FROM THE SEVENTIES.  His first guitar was given to him at age 13 – and he never stopped playing it!  His inspiration to play rock came daily from his family: “Turn that d**n thing down!” 

Tim studied Jazz at the University of Wisconsin.  His biggest Influences are Frank Zappa and David Bowie (although his days of fitting into a Ziggy Stardust suit have passed).  Tim has played various gigs, parties and weddings through the years.  Most recently, Tim was a member of the all-original band Cool Blue Oasis, and founding member of the 60's and 70's cover band Retro Groove.

MJ (aka Bruce St. Paul): Bass & Vocals  
 

A carrier of the low end throughout his musical life, MJ once aspired to be the next Glenn Miller until fate intervened: His big brother "introduced" him to (read: forced him to watch) MTV during the prime of "hair metal", upon which he picked up a guitar and grew his hair (until his mother made him cut it).

Cliff Burton first inspired MJ to strap on a bass, but Geddy Lee inspired him to keep going and eventually become somewhat competent (still working on that part!).  Other influences include Larry Graham, John Paul Jones, Chris Squire, Mike Rutherford, Mark King, Jaco, and of course James Jamerson.

MJ plucked the bass in his high school jazz band, and played trombone in a jazz ensemble in college.  Since settling in the Twin Cities, he played bass for White Horses, Mel's Diner, and countless one-off groups before joining HCB.

MJ is also a visual artist, and was an art major in college for 2 quarters (just one of his several majors...).  He is available for custom/commissioned work.  MJ says "the Curve" is one of the funnest groups he's ever worked/played with, and looks forward to plenty of good times!

 Mark Dorfner: Drums & Percussion 

Mark’s first set of drums was a Christmas present when he was 5 years old.  The set was made out of cardboard and paper – they didn’t last long.  But that was the best Christmas present he can remember!  When he was a teenager, Mark bought a very old set of Slingerland drums – they were from the 1930s, but he practiced on that set for a couple of years.  

Mark really became serious about playing the drums after he graduated from high school, playing in a band with friends at parties and an occasional bar.  His first professional working band was called Crystal Vision, and they played Rock & Roll dance music in local bars and for a lot of weddings.  In the early 90s, Mark played with the Hipshakers, playing all the blues venues around the Twin Cities.  One of their highlights was warming up for James Cotton at the Blues Saloon.  The Hipshakers were on the verge of going on a European tour when the band broke up.  Mark then played with the Classic Renowns doing 50s & 60s hits, playing about 150 gigs a year.  It was common to play four times a weekend, playing during the day at town festivals, and at night in the bars.  The Classic Renowns morphed into The Great Imposters, playing classic and contemporary hits.  After a couple of years the Great Imposters morphed into The Under The Covers band, playing popular Rock & Roll in bars and events all around town.  "And now," Mark says, “I'm playing with a great bunch of musicians in the Hanging Curve Band.  I hope to see the dance floor filled for many years to come!”