Meet the Band
Chris Neptune - Guitars, Vocals
Ever since I was 6 years old doing my Tom Jones impression, I always was drawn to live music. By 10 years old I got to play my sisters beat up acoustic that only had 4 strings and that's where my Love affair with the guitar started and still continues to this day! I played in garage bands during high school and continued playing in bands in the Philly/Jersey Original scene in the 80s and 90s. In the early 90s I went behind the scenes doing F.O.H Sound and working for a lighting production company until I joined I.A.T.S.E Local #8 Stagehand Union. I transferred to Minneapolis I.A.T.S.E Local #13 Stagehand Union in 2004 and in 2007 was hired as Head Props at the Orpheum Theatre. I've been there for the last 15 years and counting! Which brought me full circle to when covid hit. I was laid off for 18 months. In that time, I answered a craigslist ad “drummer looking for somebody who wants to play originals”, so in March of 2020 I met Don Hammer. Since then, I wrote, and he recorded 30 Original songs! I'm so thankful for this rare opportunity to get back out from behind the scenes and into the spotlight with my band brothers Jeff and Don and share these songs with you Minneapolis, Minnesota and hopefully beyond! We can't wait to see and meet you all!
Thank you for all your support C.O.N. Fans!
Be Well
Chris Neptune
Guitarist, Songwriter, Vocalist
Don Hammer - Drums & Percussion
Growing up in southern California, I always wanted to play drums as a kid. I started taking drum lessons when I was 12 years old. My mother bought me a drum set for Christmas that same year, a CB700 sparkle blue 5-piece kit. In high school a friend turned me on to Rush, and I was blown away by Neal Peart, and his giant drum set, so in metal shop, I built custom metal drum shells and have always played on large drum kits ever since. I played with various friends growing up, but never had the bands go farther than playing at parties. I was a restaurant manager after high school, which did not leave much time for music. I moved to Minnesota in my late 20’s and lived in apartments or town homes so I could not play my acoustic drums. That is when I started playing electronic drums. Electronic drums have come a long way over the years, but I was never satisfied with the sound of them, that is until software drums became available. Then it became apparent that electronic drums are great for studio recording or live. Since I did not have a band, I then posting drum covers on YouTube (click the button below).
Fast forward to the Covid 19 pandemic. I now have a job working 40 hours a week or less and I have time to start playing more often and I wanted to start a band that plays original music. I put an Ad on Craig’s List and Chris answered my Ad… And that’s where Christmas on Neptune began.
Jeff "Sub Octave" Cox - Bass, Backing Vocals
Born into a family of classical musicians and hailing from South Central Ohio, I cut my teeth into rock and roll growing up with the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, KISS, and AC/DC, just to name a few. Guitar was my first love, but eventually found my way over to the bass when some friends needed someone to help finish their recordings. Over 30 years, 11 bands, 9 states, and 400-plus shows later, I'm still peeling paint off the walls and holding down the bottom end. As support act for national artists such as Warrant, Buckcherry, Bobaflex, Mushroomhead, The Godz, American Dog, and Mobile Deathcamp, my stage performances are those of a seasoned stage veteran. In my spare time I spend time reading horror novels, listening to thrash and doom metal, playing first person shooter video games, and wreaking havoc with my 3 dogs.